Astros Major Press Conference at 4:30 (UPDATE: Astros trade 3 for Jason Jennings)

It all comes down to market value. With all we gave up we could have done a hell of a lot better than Jason f*cking Jennings.

 

are you in houston??? i think i've asked you this before.

 

And wasn't Timmy P in charge of the minor league system before moving to GM? Even more reason that he'd know these prospects better than anyone.

 

I agree fully.... Um... where's the post about the 25 HRs!?? That's crazy.... I don't think Willy hit 25 HRs in little league ball.

 

I know Buchholz has been a bust here, but at least the Astros have a little something to show for trading Billy Wagner. And remember that deal was done by the "genius" Gerry Hunsicker. Wasn't the Philly Gm sleeping on Hunsicker's couch or something before that deal was made? Sure it has no bearing on this trade, or thread for that matter, but I just recalled that from thinking about the Wagner trade.

 

I got home and saw this.. and I understand why there was an initial negative reaction. 3 MLB-ready players, including 1 definite rotation guy, for 1. That much makes sense.

But as many have said, I thought about it for 30 seconds more and realized

a) Taveras seems like he'll never be a high OBP guy, and I don't want him batting 1 or 2 on my team. Which means he bats 8..maybe 7. Unless they had a future SS in mind, I'm happy that we could get something for Willy while he had value.

Remember that the guy STILL hasn't learned to even get extra base hits much when he DOES get on base.. he's not much help offensively

b) Buchholtz has had some chances and shown us close to nothing. Sadly, this is the tail end of our Wagner deal that went nowhere, right? (Taylor and Duckworth?) But whatever.. to me, he hasn't shown it and has had a chance.

c) Hirsh. Looks like he could be a really good player. Does he look like a future #1? I don't know...not in my opinion. I think if he develops, he'll be a #2. I want to say that's what scouts have said, too..someone help me on that.

Regardless, we're trading a potential #2 for more of a proven #2. I think Jennings actually improved last year as opposed to having a fluke season. The guy is 28 I think...just about hitting his prime.


And everyone who has b****ed about Burke not getting the PT...here it comes.

texanskan--you've been overly critical about everything. You might expect this team to be average, but I think they've certainly improved themselves. (Willy/Hirsh/Buchholtz -> Burke/Jennings/Albers or Sampson). Your thinking that no one has done anything right in the past 3 years and that you would apparently have won this team 3 world series (or at least had them on the "right" path) is something that I guess we'll figure out in a couple when Lee is a little older?

 

Yea... "2nd generation Houstonian" (sic), about to finish up medical school (4th year is a joke, thus I can spend more time on the internet).

 

To those wondering how he pitches in a vacuum, Jennings' ERA+ (a figure adjusted for park factors), was 7th best in the NL last year.

Though over his career, his ERA+ is 3% better than the average NL pitcher's.

 

That Steve Phillips guy just said that Clemens will end up in New York, & that WE won't even be "competitive."

 

First it's Gerry Hunsicker

Second, Purp didn't overpay for Preston Wilson, who was marginally effective at least. He also gave up next to nothing for Huff. And didn't he bring back Springer and Trevor Miller back from the dead? And he only overpaid for Carlos Lee because the market dictated it; he at least didn't drastically overpay. Plus, he chose NOT to overpay Pettite. Seems like he's doing a pretty good job, considering the shoes he had to fill.

 

I'm glad at least a few of you valued willy t. burke couldn't take willy's spot last season, so I don't know if he's gonna be a great replacement, if he was such a great replacement, it would have have happened by now. this is pretty simple though, if he pitches well it was a good trade, if he doesn't it wasn't.

 

Didn't the New York Mets fire him?

 

I think the Astros gave Taylor plenty of opportunites... both in the big leagues, and in the minors. He was never stellar at any of them.

At least Hirsh was great in the minors... if he learns how to keep the ball on the ground, or strike more guys out (which was a big complaint from many of you), he won't be the "next Elarton" (who was actually good, before Dierker ruined him).

 

Mad Max,
Sorry to get off subject but do you also post on TitansCentral.net with the same screen name?

I have no idea what to make of this trade as I have never really heard of Jennings since he was a pitcher from the Rockies. You hardly hear of any teams ever trading for a pitcher from the Rockies.

Again, I do like the fact that Burke will get more playing time and would like to hear more about this Hunter Pence prospect.

 

I think everything Steve Phillips has ever said... NEVER happened.

Hell, just last week he actually said he expected Pettite/Clemens to re-sign in HOUSTON.

 

Reminds me a little of Gay vs. Battier. I like Jennings because as Nick mentioned earlier he will give you 200+ innings and is only 28. Guys like that don't exactly grow on trees. Willy is a nice player but no one should lose any sleep over him especially since Burke is now a full-time starter. Hirsh may turn out to be a great player but of course there is a better chance he turns out to be an average or below average player. I hope he goes on to have a nice career because I am confident that Jennings will help us now and for the next few years (assuming he gets re-signed by the astros).

 

With Burke you gain some pop, probably similar OBP, and you lose some defensive range. With a full offseason of CF work, maybe he can make up a lot of ground in the OF? And just gotta hope his bat comes around moreso. At least he's shown potential--both in the minors and in spurts in the majors. WillyT was relegated to being what he was forever it looked like..

edit: and you lose some arm

 

the sooner you learn that sports fans everywhere b**** all the time about any-and everything, the better.

 

That still doesn't make it ok... it just makes it a widespread problem.

 

You know that brings up a good point. If you're comparing this in the context of Jennings vs. Pettite or Jennings vs. Hirsch...Jennings take the team deeper into games than Pettite (w/ his shoulder) or Hirsch (short lease) would. That would in turn would save a bullpen that has been taxed over the years.