The offense wasn't going to be a big problem without Tejada... and now the pitching is even worse. Not that Albers/Patton would have saved the team this year... but in 2 years when Tejada leaves, there is the possibility that they come into their own. Tejada/Berkman/Lee/Pence is a pretty formidable core, however... it will be an interesting year.
Hopefully in two years, Tejada will be extended, the Astros are a WS contender, or have traded Tejada for two pitching prospects at 2009 trading deadline.
There's no saying what can happen... except that the Astros (or any team for that matter) will never be a World Series contender with all offense and no pitching. Unless there's another couple solid pitching move made either this year, or next, we're wasting the best years of Berkman/Lee/Tejada.... and likely Oswalt.
My $0.02... 1) Do I care if his name comes up in the steriod report? Let's win first and then ask me... 2) His bat is definitely better, but defensively, a liability when compared to Adam...Sad to see Adam go... 3) We still need pitching... 4) Drayton is spending some $$$ to win now... 5) I don't like the fact he can opt out after next year, but given the steriod thing, maybe he'll stay... Overall, I like it near term, but we need to build up the farm system...
Maybe I'm being overly optimistic, but is a rotation of Roy, Backe, Nieve, Sampson and Wandy (only at home though) that bad?!? Especially if the O is scoring runs like they can with MT now on board. Now the bullpen on the other hand........
Paulino and Gutierrez I guess are in the mix for a rotation spot. If Backe, Sampson and Wandy and/or Woody can pitch halfway decent...like they're capable of...who's to say the Astros don't have a pretty good staff next year. Obviously will probably try to add another arm, but as it is...I think the lineup 1-8 is as exciting as any in baseball.
Hey you forgot Woody, or maybe you didn't. Maybe Paulino or Guitierrez ca can step up also. I think if Backe can just stay healthy he will have a very solid season. He is a very tough competitor which is something we need from our pitchers this year. If all else falls I would want him as the no. 2 over anyone else. I know it is kind of scary.
Never, all, no. Too many absolutes. A team with only hitting is more a WS contender than one with neither hitting and pitching. The Astros weren't becoming a good pitching team without some serious luck this off season or next. I like Oswalt and a team with him will always have more than no pitching. Losing Patton hurts a lot as i thought he had a chance to become very good, but Albers..meh. I'm just hoping the Astros get JJ back as he has a better chance than being good again than Albers panning out.
I've read several times that the Astros *did* in fact "work on some pitchin', and nothing panned out. I guess kudos for improving the offense, even if he couldn't get anywhere with the pitching.
Wow. And since that guy, pallilo, is the single biggest idiot dumbass on the entire radio, that pretty much tells you everything you need to know about 790.
He's well below average. He was 18th out of 24 qualifying shortstops. He's marginally better than Jeter at best. He's Julio Lugo with four fewer errors.
Guy on 790 right now with Charlie from Baseball Prospectus. He says this is not an overwhelming upgrade at SS given what you lose in defense.
Arrogant, maybe. Idiot dumbass no way. The guy is an absolute Sports Encyclopedia. His opionions might not always be on spot, but his presentation of facts is second to no one I've heard on the radio.
Very nice. We have our new 3B. This team has balance and defense up the middle.Not giving up Everett was huge. Now we must address the staff.
