I dont know why all of yall hate Jason Hirsh. He is the number 1 pitching prospect in the league. He started in the Futures game also. And if Clemens and Pettite are gone next year he would be in our rotation. I dont think we should trade Hirsh and others players for Soriano, we need to think about the FUTURE more than the present. The future doesnt look good for us.
If we get Soriano...he will be the spark needed for us to get on a nice roll. I believe that he can propel us to the playoffs and we would have a better offense this time around. We are in win-now mode and it seems like we MUST make the playoffs for Drayton to make a profit this year. However, Pettite is not doing well and we all know how shaky Lidge has been. We need them two to step it up big time along with Ausmus, Biggio and practically everyone.
Get Fonzie....even if u give up Hirsh or Pence. Giving up both without a contract extension would be tough....then again, if those 2are gonna end up (and we wont know) with careers like Elarton or Backe and Lane, its a deal I'd do.
I know....but I've never been a big fan of hanging onto "prospects". Obviously thats why Im not a GM but what can I tell ya. All I am saying is that I would imagine there was a time where Jason Lane was untouchable...i dont remember backe in the minors...but Adam Everett was GOLD in the Red Sox organization...and if not for Nomar occupying SS, he was their next great call up. That being said, without having Soriano locked up, it wouldnt be the wisest thing to trade both...but I'd give one for a rental and a shot to keep him in Houston.
Personally, I see both of them on the opening day roster next year. The Stros future, prospect-wise, isn't as bleak as some here make it out to be. Trading your best hitting & pitching prospect (going into an offseason where they can fill significant holes on the club) for an uncertain shot at the playoffs & the uncertain ability to keep said rental player around, is way, way shortsighted imho. Potential to seriously screw this franchise for the forseeable future is very, very high. And no, not all prospects turn out, but you do have to have a bit of faith in the organization and they, in turn, have to take the longview sometimes.
http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/...28&content_id=111102&vkey=news_milb&fext=.jsp Sorry if it's been already posted, just a recent tidbit from Astros.com
i'm no way in favor of trading our two best prospects for a rental. if we had a stranglehold on the division and pettitte and lidge were pitching strong, i'd go all out for it but that's not the case. with the chance that berkman has to go on the dl at some point in the next month, it's not looking pretty. that said i'd do it for tejada if he remains locked up for the next two seasons.
That one seems ok, losing Everett Lidge and Pence. At least we get to keep one out of the two prospects. Id rather keep Hirsh out of the too also.
I disagree with all of the 'win-now' statements. When are you people going to realize that the 'Stros are a top-shelf baseball team that is always going to be in it for the win? Sure, we haven't won it yet, but for the past ten years, it has been two steps forward, one step back under McClain's ownership. Just get used to the idea that the Astros are always going to make the bold moves to win every year just like the Yankees, Red Sox, Braves and other perennial playoff teams. Back to the topic at hand, if this deal goes down, I have the feeling that we re-sign Soriano long-term. We also have some nice prospects coming up to fill the gaps of soon-retiring fogeys like Biggio and Ausmus.
I said yesterday and I'll say it again today. If the offense is playing like it has been the last 5 games, we're in good shape. With Oswalt or Clemens pitching, 4-5 runs is almost a guaranteed win. At least half if not more of Petitte's starts are also wins with 4-5 runs of run support. If we can continue to put up 4-5 runs every game like we have been, I don't want Soriano. Chances are, both Hirsh and Pence will be on this team for Opening Day next season. I don't want to lose them for a rental.
The problem is that this team is scoring 4-5 runs in games where they're giving up 8-9 (which tends to happen when the opposing pitcher starts losing concentration with a bigger lead)... and they're scoring minimal runs when they do get quality pitching. They're flawed... just as they were last year... but it makes it that much sweeter when they win.
Food for thought: Not sure of the circumstances, but Soriano has been yanked from the Dodgers game tonight after going 1-2. It's only in the fifth inning or something. This coupled with lack of Lidge ... hmmm. Could be because they're getting shelled. Could be because he's been traded to the Astros. Ya never know.
