This according to the espn.com Astros team page: "The Astros were scouting Texas LHP Kenny Rogers in his July 24 start against Seattle, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Rogers pitched eight innings and allowed two earned runs in the win over the Mariners. " Why would we want to rent ANOTHER pitcher for what is going to be a useless try at a big run to the (comedy) Central division title? Texas would no doubt want prospects due to the fact that one player accounts for 25% of their payroll (Thanks to Hicks/A-Rod). Now, I understand bargaining our future for a shot a the Big Unit like we did in '98. On paper, that '98 squad was pretty nasty, they just dissapeared against the Padres (I bet if they played that series 9 more times the 'Stros win it in less than 5 games at least 5 times). But should we really be wasting our time scouting Kenny Rogers, an old fart who (despite having a great season) couldn't provide us long term success and isn't nasty enough to push us into true contender territory this season? I know it's just scouting, but what about that Randy Winn deal? That makes sense... he's still got some lead in his pencil. Or maybe we could make a deal for Bartolo Colon... I have heard that the Expos are shopping him (despite the fact that he probably hasn't even unpacked from Cleveland). Thoughts anyone?
i agree, we have absolutely no use for kenny rogers. i think we may even have a starting pitcher controversy when hernandez gets healthy. oswalt miller sarloos munroe mlicki all 5 have justified staying in and obviously the first 2 aren't going anywhere. would rogers do more for us than what we have? probably not, though he is pitching well. what we need is a centerfielder/leadoff guy.
If we get Rogers that MAY make for a controversy. I say that we could have the best of both worlds. Let's say we make that deal AND the deal for Winn and Wilson. Our starting pitchers would be: Miller Oswalt Munro Saarloos Rogers Hernandez Wilson Mlicki You could make the deal with the D-Rays first and then include Wilson in the package for Rogers. This leaves us with 7 starters. Whoever has been the better starter between Saarloos and Munro stays in the rotation. Whoever has not will be able to be the answer at long relief that we desperately need. We'll have to pick a reliever to send down. Mlicki will be a free agent this year and becomes expendable. Through these deals we could get rid of Fat Ward, Richard Hidalgo, AND pick up Rogers and Randy Winn. Great improvement.
First of all, Randy Winn is having a career year. In fact last year his OBP was a whopping .339, with an overall OPS of .740. Considering he is no torii hunter or andruw jones defensively, I have no clue what the infatuation with the guy is. Sorry, but give me Ward or Hidalgo anyday. Are they perfect? No. But this is not let's just sell good players for crap time. You better give me something to get something. Btw, Ward has hit 5 homers this month. Think he might be settling in? Also, while DW is no swift cat in left, how much better is a Berkman-Winn-Hidalgo defensively anyway. Is it enough to offset the power of Daryle? I think not. I would support getting Kenny Rogers or Wilson if the price is right. However, giving up Ward or Richard for them is stupid, even including Randy Winn. Finally, think about why the DRays would want that deal in the other thread. It's called selling high.
Regardless of where Ward is on the field he will always be a defensive liability. Remember pitching and defense wins championships. Fundamentals people, fundamentals.
I personally think that the Ward-Hidalgo-Berkman outfield is WAY to slow to play in that expansive outfield at Minute Maid Park. I'm not saying that Daryle is error prone or he drops fly balls, but putting Berkman in left, Hidalgo in right, and someone with the range of Randy Winn in center would take away some hits that are dropping in with our current defensive outfield. Yes, Ward is settling in and he might end up with 20 home runs again by the end of the year, but unless we're grooming him to be Bagwell's replacement at first he (or Hidalgo) is expendable. We can only afford to start 2 outfielders with below average speed and range (and Berkman is going NOWHERE). MMP's center field is way too big and we need someone with significantly more range to roam that sizeable amount of real estate. While Berkman has been adequate in center, he'd be great in left and we can keep Hidalgo and his cannon arm in right. Throwing Winn between those two would help more than most people think. As far as Winn having a career year... nobody's advocating signing him to a 10 year deal following the trade. I think he's worth the risk because he's never been protected in any lineup he's been in. The talent he would be surrounded by in Houston SHOULD increase his numbers significantly. Being surrounded by the likes of Bagwell, Biggio, and Berkman versus Steve Cox, Brent Abernathy, and Greg Vaughn could dramatically effect the pitches he's going to see. ROLL THE DICE DRAYTON... We need outfield defense and speed in the lineup as well as a true table setter for the killer B's and this is available for the small price of a fat, slow, defenseless outfielder with 8 home runs.
That's Berkman's job. Lane will play left and Berkman will play first, his position he played in the minors. Nice post though.
I would rather have Berkman in the outfield with some of the hits he's taken away from batters. He may not have the greatest speed but I think he's done pretty darn well in the outfield.
Winn is no defensive wizard. He does not make our outfield defense a whole lot better for a noticeable improvement. So why would I give up a 30-40 hr potential guy, who has finally got comfortable being a starter, for a guy who has a career OPS of .707 until this year and who does not play great defense or get on base regularly. It makes no sense. Ward's offense is more important than Winn plus his defense, in my opinion.
Thanks Eddie... I appreciate the compliment. I would love to see Berkman at first. I think playing the outfield has developed his defensive instincts and athleticism. Too bad we have that bum Jeff what's-his-name dragging us down over there. That was sarcasm by the way... if there was a "Bagwell for the Hall of Fame" comittee, I would be a member.
