I don't think Wandy will be back next year. That really leaves Lee, Myers, and Lyon off the top of my head, and they are only staying because their contracts are difficult to move. I'm assuming they won't brink JMike back. I'll guess they bring Q back.
If we somehow freed ourselves of Sanchez, it would be a bit easier to accept Barmes being around for another year. Your argument about there being no one ready to come up yet is a good one. Although Villar is our projected SS of the future, I dont think it unwise to get another SS with upside and growth potential. We seem short on the farm in talent in that position anyway. More stock there wouldnt hurt us. I dont like the idea of depending on one guy, and if he doesnt work out, having to fill the hole with someone unproductive.
I don't fault the thinking that you can't have too much of a position, especially at a position like SS, but I think they will look primarily to even more pitching. I think they want to go into 2013 with plenty of young arms to fill the rotation and pen.
The only vet who is starting. All the other vet's (JMike, Q, etc) are either bit players or are going back to the bench next season or may not even be on the roster next season. We kept Ausmus for how long because of his management of a pitching staff and leadership qualities despite well below average offense and a propensity for the inning-ending GIDP? Barmes is an average offensive player and above average defensive player who isn't immediately blocking anyone. What's the harm there?
SS is arguably one of the deeper positions after catcher and 1B with Villar and Mier. Mier hasn't done much but the talent is there. I posted a minor league depth chart in a previous post and the glaring holes/weaknesses are pitching (both lefty and righty), 3B (Kvasnika is not performing) and maybe 2B (DDJ is underperforming).
My wording wasnt so good there....what I meant was a propect who is close enough to ML ready to play at the ML level so we dont have to resign Barmes. Obviously, we dont have that person right now and thats where I see the need for another SS.
I suppose where i am at is this. Id rather put a young guy in there who is a little green, or get someone back in a trade that is relatively young and has some upward potential. With Barmes, he is heading the other way. His game is deteriorating, not progressing. While he may be better than the type of player im describing for next year, it gives us one more spot on the roster to try someone with a higher ceiling. We are not trying to be great next year, so its prime time to experiment. The day will come when this phase is over. When only the best guys get to play, because we are contending and every game counts. I just dont want us to waste the opportunity to see as many players as possible get out there in a MLB environment because you know some guys that you are counting on are going to fail, and some guys not even on the radar right now will succeed.
Great take on the issue, minus this gem:[rquoter]At this point hes actually a much better player than Derek Jeter.[/quote] ummm, l-o-l. and I realize dude has fallen off hard this year. you and juicy have made good arguments here, minus the whole Sanchez-is-as-bad-as-Lee thing and Barmes-is-as-good-as-Jeter thing. I'll meet you guys in the middle: if it really is just $2M, that's not much money to be all up-in-arms about. And I agree, excellent defense is one of the great things about watching baseball. Barmes really has been a pleasure to watch--on the field--this year.
I get what you're saying, but there's an argument to be made for having some 'known quantity' in the lineup. A stabilizing force. Agree to disagree.
I don't care if the Astros resign Barmes. I just don't want them to "lock him up", so to speak. Basically have both parties go through the FA process and see what's best for both sides. Is Barmes worth it at $2 mil? Probably. But I don't want the Astros to think that losing him is a big deal. There are other choices that may make more sense. 1. Getting a AAA shortstop prospect in any trade. Doesn't have to be a top prospect. But one that you can at least play in the majors and cost you almost nothing. 2. Sign a AAAA 27-30 yr old FA who's considered too old but has some skills. Such a player will cost little while won't be detrimental to the team. Look. While the Astros don't gain much if anything by letting Barmes go, the opposite is also true. They don't lose much if anything either. So to me, I just want them to be dilligent and make an informed decision. As long as they do that, I'm fine with either result.
