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

Kile and Hampton both had ERA's well above their career norms on their road splits from their Colorado years (in fact, Hampton was actually better at home one of those years... ERA's were still both above 6 for home and road splits).

Pitchers, more so than any other player, become creatures of habit... and they can't simply change their mechanics for every home/road start. A lot of them require extra precision/location in Colorado starts because of the inability of the ball to move there. That often gets transfered to their road starts as well (or in Jennings case, maybe he adjusted too well to Colorado... and changed his mechanics enough to where he became more ineffective on the road).

Either way, it's still a problem when you pitch the majority of your games in a ballpark that is NOT fair (whether it be a pitcher's or hitters park), and then expect to have the exact same success when you go to ballparks that are fair.

Even though MMP has the small dimensions... it plays suprigsingly fair among other MLB parks. Jennings being a ground ball pitcher will only help that much more, and hopefully his days of tinkering mechanics to fit the ballpark are over.

 

The guy I feel the worst for for in this deal is Buchholz.

The guy had a terrible tendency to hang his curve ball, and that was without the Coors effect. Curveball pitcher + Coors = Darryl Kile.

Putting Jennings together with the best defensive SS in the majors will be a good thing for all involved.

 

I'm not in love with the trade, but I understand why it was done. Still, it was awful risky trading 2 of your better pitching prospects for a guy who's in the last year of his contract. The success of this trade will depend on whether or not the Astros can lock Jennings up long-term, and don't think Jennings doesn't know he's got leverage in this case. Thus, I'm expecting the Astros to overpay for him in the end just to justify the trade. Let's hope he's worth it.

Does this mean that Pence will be on the bench this year? I really hope he gets his shot at playing.

 

I won't pretend to have the in-depth knowledge that some of you do about these baseball players, but generally I like to see a proactive club. I'm not impatient if the club was on the verge or up and coming, but when you have holes it's nice to see the club not be afraid to pull the trigger. I grew up a 'Stros fan but when I was living in NY I really came to appreciate a club that will do whatever to improve although I understand the Yankees have a lot more $ to splash around.

 

actually, i'd argue the astros have been tons more pro-active this offseason than the yankees.

 

The impression I got from Purpura was this:
1. Chris Burke has the inside track on the CF job.
2. Lane will have a shot at it as well.
3. They want to see if Hunter Pence can be a full time CF defensively, because it's generally easier to get a big-time corner OF than a CF.

My guess is, Burke is the opening day CF, Scott is in RF, and Lane's initial role is late inning defensive replacement in RF, starting RF against lefties, and spot starter in CF when Biggio has the day off (Burke to 2nd) or Burke needs a day off.

Meanwhile, Hunter Pence plays in CF everyday in AAA. Around all-star break, as injuries/ineffectiveness require, or if Biggio gets his 3000 and is otherwise ineffective, Pence gets the call-up.

Our offense looks fairly set:
2B Biggio
CF Burke
1B Berkman
LF Lee
RF Scott
3B Ensberg
C Ausmus
SS Everett
Pitcher

Bench: Palmeiro, Lane, Bruntlett, Lamb, Quintero/Gimenez

The biggest question mark is where to slot Ensberg. You could make use of his OBP and put him 2nd in front of Berkman/Lee, or if he's in 2005 form, have him bat 5th behind Lee.

Looking at it, I think I would prefer to carry Jimerson or Mike Rodriguez to Palmeiro, as they have true defensive CF tools and also pinch running capabilities - but OP's experience will get the nod. Other than that, you have a power lefty/righty pairing in Lamb/Lane and a super utility guy in Bruntlett. The offense looks solid - if you sign Huff, I think you basically have to trade Ensberg for pitching.

 

I meant year in, year out.

 

Yikes, not Biggio leadoff with his .306 OBP. I think we'll see Burke leading off, with Ensberg 2nd and Biggio 6th (taking advantage of his still good power).

 

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Burke play better in the #2 spot than the #1?

Hell, maybe Ensberg should be the leadoff man...if there's one thing he did do well, it was that he drew walks and got on base.

 

Burke had a higher OBP than Willy or Craig did (.347) and that includes the month + 1/2 slump that allowed Willy to see to PT again.

I like his speed at the top of the lineup, and his ability to get XBH's (which Willy didn't have). He won't be the best leadoff man in baseball... but I think he's an example of a guy where stability (knowing he's going to play everyday, and where he is in the lineup) will help him.

I know when he was at AAA, he did pretty well once they put him in leadoff and left him there.

 

If it were me, I'd try that! Thats straight video game move but tell me even with even with lack of speed he couldnt be more productive there than Willie T.

I would definitely have Biggio down in the 6th spot. But he'll get his share of at bats at the top of the lineup so he'll get more chances for his 60-something hits he needs for 3000.

 

Carlos Lee isn't black. Last time I checked, black people didn't primiarly speak spanish or live in Panama in the off season.

 

I was thinking Shane Battier for Stromile Swift and the rights to Rudy Gay....

 

Why not? the U.S. isn't the only place in the New World that they Euros brought black slaves.

 

Ever been to Equitorial Guinea?

No freaking kidding. We Americans can think so small.

 

i don't know if this has been mentioned before or not but as i was talking to some people within the organization last night here at the bar he made a good point that the Astros were looking to offer Tavares in a deal because his agent was Scott Boras. He stated that they didn't want to have to deal with him when it came around free agent time for Willy T.

So it's pretty safe to say that the astros will never deal with Scott Boras in any type of negotiating.

 

I've been a big fan of the trade ever since it happened.

But when I read this article by the Colorado media, it makes me a little nervous. Still a fan, but more nervous than before that it could bite us.
http://www.denverpost.com/sports/ci_4828925

I wonder if Taylor needed this past full season to get through his shoulder strengthening...and if he'll suddenly turn it on. I wonder if Willy will become a little more disciplined at the plate and drastically up his OBP.

I'm not so worried about Hirsh--at least with him, I always knew the potential was there for him to be pretty damn good.

 

Willy might get a little more pop in his bat being up there in Colorado.

 

While that may be true, Taveras does not become a free agent until he plays 4 more seasons. It would seem to be a bit soon to get rid of a player because you might have to deal with his agent after the 2010 season.

 

Right, and dealing with Boras in arbitration is vastly, vastly different than dealing with him in a FA situation.

Just look at the Matsuzaka contract to see what happens to Boras when he can't play one team off on another to boost the market for his players.