What's with Houston teams and late season surges? Here's hoping it's actually a sign of things to come rather than a mirage. And desperately hoping the Astros management diagnose the situation correctly.
The four I mention pitched in the bigs as Astros together (though Redding never really was that good). But yeah, I hear you.
The last time the Astros started a season this badly and played great ball from the break on was 2000. Yeah, I'd take 2001 again. :grin:
I never really consider Santana a "what could have been" type deal because, IIRC, he didn't learn his devastating changeup till he was traded to the Twins. With the Stros he had potential but not until he learned that changeup did he become the guy we know today.
CJ's home run last night was just beautiful. He saw that fastball coming a mile away and knew exactly what to do with it. That was a moon shot.
I commented on this already, but I love how he just put his head down and ran around the bases. No standing on the first base line watching it fly, no "bunny hop", none of that bush league BS. Just swat it and touch 'em all. Like he's done it before already. Beautiful.
I was thinking more of Wallace, CJ, Lyles, etc. I want Berkman back, but where would his place on this team be?
He could still be our everyday 1B. He's got at least 2-3 productive (not MVP) years left if he's healthy. Especially if this team thinks they have something, with their stellar starting pitching over the last 2-3 months. Wallace does need more AB's to find out if he's ever going to be the high average, RBI type guy he was in the minors. Could have him work on some things in AAA, have him platoon in LF, or have him work his way up as a pinch-hitter. Or, he's around if Lance fizzles and is not fully healthy. It would be one thing if Wallace was tearing it up, but its clear that he has some things he needs to work on.
i'd be pissed if they brought someone else to play 1B next year other than wallace. he's been around long enough now that it's time to figure out what he is.
I think it's time to move on, Puma is gone and was a pretty bad offensive player this season as is. We may have stumbled onto a good team after the trades but we are still rebuilding and having Lance return to play 1st will only stump the progress of Wallace. Brett needs to get ABs so with a good winterball season and a full Straining with Baggy he should be just fine.
If by some miracle the Astros could find a taker for Carlos (yes, I know we'd have to pay an enormous amount of his deal) in the offseason, I wouldn't mind looking at Lance as an option in left. I definitely prefer his bat to Lee.
