Then why are you here? Because you *are*. How about some healthy grieving instead of all this nonsense drivel you've been posting? If you care enough to still read all this trivial crap, then you *are* a fan. Say that it sucked. Say that it was a punch in the gut. Say that you felt the guys could have given more if you feel that way. But this other "I'm not a fan, I'm out" crap is utter BS unless you truly GET OUT. I'm not telling you to take a hike, I'm asking you to choose one side of the fence and stick with it. Your teeter-tottering and incessant whining is wasting bandwidth.
But he was an All-American because of his hitting, right? Was he a gold-glove type defensive guy at Tennessee? Or was he just there because he could hit so well and had been an SS growing up?
I thought when athletes are all-americans, they are all-americans for being both the best offensively and defensively. If the guy is an all-american shortstop at a major university program, i'm pretty sure he had to of played the position better than most (defensively). I just think the astros should look into experimenting with it during spring traning or winter ball at least. I mean, he was our future 2B and yet they converted him to LF. I think making the switch from 2B to SS is easier than 2B to LF.
Seriously, do you not think that the scenario hasn't crossed their minds in the 5 or so years since we drafted Burke? I guarantee you it has and the fact that they haven't tried him there should really speak volumes. There's a reason we're all posting here instead of being paid by the club to be scouts.
Well, if the club has exhausted all the possibilites for chris burke, then what do you do with him. Sit him another season behind a future hall of famer 2B? Play him as a utility OF in left field? If Chris Burke is going to platooning LF next year, that means that we didn't upgrade our roster because clearly, we had to make-shift our lineups with a 2B playing LF this year. I just don't want to see burke wasting his years away at AAA or on the bench until he's 29-30 years old like Jason Lane did. The Astros need to make a decision on Everett and LF. That's the 2 things to figure out this offseason.
I honestly think he'll start off on the bench, but will end up with the starting job by mid-season. Even if ends up playing behind Biggio all year that means that a) Biggio's having a great year and b) even if he didn't start playing full-time until 2007, he'd still only be 27. That's not old at all. All of this makes sense. I just think that the Astros know, for whatever reason, that Burke is not a major league SS. If he had the ability to do that, the Astros would have tried it already. It's not like Everett's weak bat is a surprise to anyone.
Of course, but being an all-american has some credibility. And Burke has proved that he has the capabilities to play this game at a high level. I just think that the Astros are so enamored with Everett at short that they wouldn't ever think of upgrading the position. I like Adam Everett at short. Honestly, I feel like he's a great defensive shortstop but in a lineup where there are soo many players that have NO plate discipline, we need somebody more reliable offensively. One thing that killed this year was clutch-hitting with RISP. There are countless times where there was a runner on 3rd with less than 1 out or bases loaded with 1 out and we wouldn't score. Ironically, the guy we let go in the offseason (J.Kent) led the league this year in batting average with RISP. If we get a better LF (A.Huff, etc.) then I would be fine with everett being the 8 hitter.
See, to me all Burke has proved is that he's incredibly streaky, like a poor man's Bagwell. He had two great hot streaks in the regular season, about a week each, and the rest of the time struggled to remain above the Mendoza line. As such the love-affair the Astros have with AE at short is more credible than that some of us have with Burke hitting *anywhere* in this lineup.
It wouldn't surprise me in the least to see us package Burke this offseason. He is slightly more marketable than Lane (imo) due to his age and his "what have you dont for me lately" factor.
Yeah, well from this year, he has been streaky but I attribute that too many factors: - The fact that he has been in limbo on when he's going to play and where he's playing. During the season, he would platoon with Scott in LF and I think that definitely played the role with him offensively. When someone knows everyday that he's gonna be penciled in then they're more relaxed and confident. Case in point: Jason Lane. I just think that if Burke had a definitive role on this team next year and had a healthy amount of AB's in a row, he could hit for high average while drawing a solid amount of walks.
here are their numbers from this year: Everett: 549 AB's; 11 HR; .248 AVG; 58 runs; 21 stolen bases; .290 OBP; .364 SLG Burke: 318 AB's; 5 HR; .248 AVG; 49 runs; 11 SB; 309 OBP; .368 SLG That's a first year player..not playing full-time...compared to a guy in his 3rd season as an everday player. I'm not saying Burke has proved anything. I am saying I think his upside at the plate is twice that of AE's. I am saying that I do not understand how someone can play defensive SS well enough at the college level to be an All-American, but can't play it at the pro level. I just don't understand. I am also saying that I don't know what I don't know. That the guys who get paid to do this know far more than I do. But I've never heard a reason that made sense to me.
In addition.....why is his arm good enough to play outfield but not SS. I would say maybe range is an issue....but its not like a 2B stands still. The only logical explanation is that AE isn't going anywhere so there is no need to worry about it as far as they are concerned.
Can someone please explain to me why so many of you have the likes of Damon, Konerko, Furcal, Burnett, and Brian Giles on your short list of possibilities for the Astros? Each one of these guys will be getting $10mill/yr somewhere. When was the last time the Astros signed a frontline free agent unless it came with a hometown discount? Chasing Carlos Beltran last summer doesn't count - the only reason we even entertained that option was because of the euphoria left over from the postseason. They're going to have to make subtle moves through trade or lesser FA's if they want to improve. I am mixed on next year's club. On the one hand: 1. I don't think there's any chance that Bagwell retires. He stated on the radio that the only thing in question is whether or not he'll be able to play the field again. He has no doubt he can swing the bat and says he feels better every day. I don't know how the insurance policy works, but even if he remains as a pinch hitter, would he not receive his full $18mill? If you had $18mill on the table, no matter how rich you already were, you wouldn't walk away from that. And quite frankly he shouldn't - he's entitled to that money. 2. I don't think Roger will come back. He's labored in the postseason now the past 2 years and getting this far this year must have been mentally draining. Besides, he had the best year of his career and yet this offense managed to blow the Cy-Young for him. More on this below. 3. Some might disagree with me on this, but as I said earlier that they won't be able to land a big time FA, there also isn't much room from improvement within. Berkman is already one of the best 10 hitters in the game. Ensberg should be fantastic again as well (WS not included). I don't buy into FOX's continued notion that "the Astros think Jason Lane will someday be capable of 40 HR's." While some attribute improvement to experience and getting to see the pitchers in the league, I generally follow the age curve. At 28, this is about what you're going to get. Lamb, Bigigo, Palmeiro, Ausmus, Everett etc. aren't getting any better. FOX said so many errant things throughout their broadcast that I laughed at times. Where did they come up with the notion that this is a young team? They often presented it as if this was the old Florida Marlins team loaded with young studs. The only guys that have room for major growth are Willy and Burke. Burke again won't be seeing much time next year so he is irrelevant. Things that give me optimism: 1. Oswalt and Pettite are as good as any 1-2 in baseball. That should theoretically keep them in contention. 2. Qualls/Wheeler/Lidge is one of the best bullpens in baseball, assuming Lidge is ok. 3. Andy has one more year left on his contract, so Roger may decide to play it out with him.
exactly. if you can play LF, why would someone say you don't have the arm to play SS?? watching burke play, it doesn't seem like range is an issue at all. but that's the ony explanation to me that would make any sense. that and the "everett entrenched" explanation...which i just don't like.
Left fielder's can have lousy arms. That's why they put Biggio out there. The question comes down to how many double plays is Burke's arm going to cost you, and how many infield hits will his arm cost you. Will Burke's better hitting make it worth while to play him over Everett? Chris Burke at .248 AVG, .309 OBP, and .368 SLG. Adam Everett .248 AVG, .290 OBP, and .364 SLG. The statistics don't warrant playing Burke over Everett yet. If Burke starts hitting better next season then I would look at perhaps moving him to SS.
I disagree greatly with this perception. Houston media loves to spin that angle so that fans will fall in love with the "hometown boys" for taking a discount, but it doesn't always add up. Pettitte's going to be making more than $17 million next season, and he signed following a season where he had an ERA of almost 4 and struggled with an elbow injury. Kent was a veteran with character issues who made almost $9 million per season. Clemens signed for a discount in 2004, but had the option to leave after last season, and the Astros resigned him for $18 million... hardly a hometown discount. Everyone likes to believe our hometown guys are playing for the discount because they love our team, but the reality is that we're easily paying (or paid) them their market value. The Astros have gone out and found a way to get it done, even in the current market. That said, I do agree that the elite free agents probably aren't a possibility. I'd be shocked if either Bagwell or Clemens retired, and combining that with the $20 mil in raises due to Oswalt, Pettitte and Berkman, I think we'll be looking to drop payroll, not increase. It'll take some tricky moves to improve this offense (unless Bagwell retires), and I hope Purpura is up to the challenge... but his work near the trade deadline leaves me concerned.
how will you know if he can hit better when he can't get in as an everday player?? agreed that LF's can have lousy arms...but i sure didn't see that from burke. did you? man, i just have a hard time grasping that AE's arm is so much stronger than Burke's.
I agree with this 100%. I actually think the best chance we have to improve the squad won't be in the offseason but at the trade deadline. Bagwell won't entertain the notion of retiring until Spring Training, if ever. (He's on record as saying he has no doubt he can hit at the big league level). Which means we won't have a penny to spend on FAs this winter when they all get signed. Come the trade deadline, we'll know more about our team (Bagwell/Clemens status, if the young guys have improved, etc) and Drayton will be more likely to open his wallet then. Remember, there really wasn't that much available at this deadline. IIRC, there are many more intriguing players in the last year of their deals next year. It just remains to be seen whether or not Purpura can get the right deal done.
