Ok moves, I guess. I would have liked Wendell five years ago maybe. Can't really say anything about Burba.
So Purpura wants to keep the young guys and let them play and then he signs all these OVER THE HILL guys? I mean Burnitz 35, Wendell 37? Burba 38?? and FRANCO???? shouldn't he be retired?? man, is going to be a loooooong 05'
We haven't signed Burnitz yet, Turk and Burba were given a minor league contracts and are competing for long relief spots in the bullpen and Franco is still a good left handed specialist. Drayton also didn't cause the rain tonight, the sky isnt falling and the mayor just proposed free towing for cars not blocking traffic on the freeways.
Burba was pretty solid in long relief last year, especially against us (when we knocked around those Brewers starters, save Sheets and Davis). He should make the team... and fill the same role (long relief). I don't know about Wendell... and if Franco can get lefties out better than Gallo (who was awful vs. lefties), why not? Bullpen right now: Lidge Qualls Harville Wheeler Redding (probable... the Astros will try him here full-time before they give up on him completely) Burba That really leaves just one spot... and that's only if the team plans on carrying 12 pitchers (they normally only carry 11).
I ****ing hate Turk Wendel. Maybe he won't ever get on the field for us. please please please please please
You've gotta be kidding. He took on Burba without giving a call to Dave Smith or Charlier Kerfeld? Get the rope.
Actually they did make a call to each of those guys. Smith was too busy surfing, and Kerfeld asked for too much jello in his incentives package. Drayton didn't want to sacrifice Wal-Marts jello aisle just to sign one pitcher.
Turk Wendell reminds me of Mitch Williams, without the arm. He's not a terrible reliever. The baggage is a bit much though. Wonder how his schtick will play in the tight Astros clubhouse.
As long as the Cubs dont pull Joe Carter out of the booth, we should be ok then again...that shot would be a long single at mmp
We are shopping in the value bin at the Dollar Store when our competition is buying things off the rack at Niemann Marcus.
I thought I'd put this here. Astros.com is a little behind since we've signed Burba, but some interesting quotes. Astros looking for some relief Burba, Franco on team's radar for bullpen help By Alyson Footer / MLB.com tickets for any Major League Baseball game HOUSTON -- Looking for a veteran presence in the bullpen, the Houston Astros are considering two of the most experienced relievers of today's era -- right-hander Dave Burba and left-hander John Franco. Burba, a 15-year veteran, has a lifetime record of 115-87 with a 4.49 over 511 appearances, including 234 starts. He spent most of the 2004 season in Milwaukee, where he was 3-1 with a 4.08 ERA over 51 relief appearances, spanning 77 innings. In September, the 38-year-old was traded to San Francisco, where he pitched in six games in relief. General manager Tim Purpura is intrigued by Burba because he has experience as both a starter and a reliever. The Astros traditionally like to employ one pitcher who can make spot starts as well as provide long relief, such as Ron Villone and Pete Munro. Franco, 44, is the Major League's all-time left-handed saves leader with 424 and is behind only Lee Smith (478) for the most saves in Major League history. The 20-year veteran, who spent six years with the Reds and 14 with the Mets, held left-handed hitters to a .173 average (13-for-75) in 2004 and could give the Astros a solid option for the role of lefty specialist. Purpura has contacted both players' agents to express interest. The Astros are also talking to Jeromy Burnitz's agent about a possible contract, although Purpura said the 35-year-old outfielder is not the only player the Astros are considering. Many teams have contacted the Astros, who are in a position not many clubs find themselves in this time of year. Because of their inability to sign Carlos Beltran, the Astros have some money to work with in the final weeks before Spring Training commences. "A lot of teams are offering players because of our payroll flexibility," Purpura said. "There are a lot of options out there. (Burnitz) is a power hitter and he drives in runs, but he also strikes out a lot. We have to see what his salary demands are." Asked about Texas second baseman Alfonso Soriano, Purpura spoke in general terms, acknowledging the club would look at any number of players who can greatly affect the Major League club immediately. "The only question is, what to you have to give up in return?" Purpura said. "We're very hesitant to give up young pitching. We have to find out if Roger Clemens is coming back; if he's not, we don't want to give up any young pitching." In other news, Purpura revealed the club had rehired Matt Galante, who spent 23 years in the Astros' organization before accepting a coaching job with the New York Mets following the 2001 season. Galante, a native of Staten Island, N.Y., will return to the club as a special assistant to Purpura. Link Some interesting quotes in there. I sense there are some options out there that no one here knows about...
Really? Granted these guys pretty much suck, but what else is left out there? Who is signing good relievers? Who are the good relievers left, or that WERE available that we missed out on? Explain.
