well, and money - he just asked about the two most cash-rich teams in professional sports. when you can buy a band-aid for every ache and pain, there's no need to rush prospects along.
Those drafts were terrible in comparison to *any* team's. And Nick, Director of Development & Director of Scouting are 2 different posts, and both answered directly to Gerry. The GM runs the draft (and Purp's drafts have looked pretty darn good so far, but it's too early to judge).
Which did Purpura do? I thought he did both. Did he have a tenure at each position? Who was the other guy? But doesn't the GM rely on his scouting team?
Thank God the Astros have clubhouse leaders like Everett and Ausmus to show the players how to cope with not being good at baseball.
I think a manager can lead to an extent, but every team needs a leader on the field and in the clubhouse. DD
So, if a manager was a crappy offensive baseball player, did he learn how to lead between his retirement from baseball to his hiring as a manager?
They only way the money has helped has been that they don't worry as much about players that are represented by the Scott Boras agents. They both traded away a lot of their farm systems and rebuilt them very quickly.
Leading as a manager is much different than leading as a player. Right? Are you calling scrap iron a crappy offensive player? He hit .260 for his career, if Adam Everett hit close to that no one would be complaining about him. DD
Not at all. There have been quite a few other managers in the history of baseball besides Phil Garner. I don't recall even mentioning Phil Garner. but yeah, I'm sure those extra four or five hits every 100 ABs would make him a better clubhouse leader than Ausmus or Everett. But you're right, I'm positive we're losing because guys like Ausmus and Everett are great clubhouse guys. Nevermind there's a reason they specify clubhouse leaders. Not to mention, people are vastly underrating the career Ausmus has had. Just because he doesn't start for your fantasy team doesn't mean he hasn't had a great career.
The Astros still have pretty good pitching, despite the recent flare ups in the bullpen during this losing streak. If Jennings is healthy and can be re-signed they should have a solid rotation for the next few years as the young arms emerge. If the pitching is solid, the team can compete. It was not unreasonable to give Ensberg, Scott, or Lane another chance to bounce back with all the money they sank into signing Lee and with the expectation that Berkman wouldn't hit like Timmy Lupus. It's just a perfect storm of crud this year where every player except for Lee and Pence is putrid. I still feel it is easier to find productive corner outfielders and third basemen than starting pitchers. The challenge will be finding a true lead off hitter and a decent catcher. I am hoping that trading Brad Lidge can snare one of those players.
Purp was Development - dealing with the guys already in the system. I would guess he had some sort of input pre-draft, more along the lines of "here's where we're strong in the system, here's what we could use", but that's mainly the forte of the amateur scouts, overseen by the major front-office guys, with the GM making the final call.
I think Ausmus was a good catcher, but those days are long long long gone. He is incredibly intelligent, I would love to have him on the bench as a coach, or calling the pitches. I just don't value him that much as a starting catcher. DD
Well, at least the rest of the Central sucks...You know we're bad when crap like this shows up... ESPN Spelling Bee Fun The National League Central Hometowns: Milwaukee, Pittsburgh, Chicago, St. Louis, Houston, Cincinnati. Moderator: "The word is, Execrable." Cubs manager Lou Piniella: "Hey, listen, I've got a $136 million leadoff man who has exactly eight more RBIs than one of my starting pitchers. I've got guys who run the bases like they failed the Wonderlic. We've lost four in a row and we're already seven games below .500. So look, unless 'Execrable' can pitch middle relief, I don't care about the damn word." Astros manager Phil Garner: "If it makes you feel any better, Lou, we've lost 10 in a row." Cardinals manager Tony La Russa: "We've lost three." Pirates manager Jim Tracy: "One here, and six of our last 10." Brewers manager Ned Yost: "Seven of our last eight." Reds manager Jerry Narron: "We've won three." Piniella: "But you're still 12 games below .500." Narron: "At least we didn't spend almost $300 million on free agents this year." Piniella: "Let me tell you something, you've got me there." Moderator: "Perhaps a definition would help. Execrable: very inferior … of poorest quality." Garner: "R-E-D-S." Narron: "I heard that."
