bourn is a bit more athletic. faster (bourn can run a 6.35 60yd dash) and he's got a better arm than ellsbury (probably a 55-60 on the 20-80 scale, which is above average). they've got similar power, and if there is a difference, it is negligible, as i dont see either hitting more than 12 home runs anytime soon. ellsbury is probably a better hitter, but bourn is really electric out there. ellsbury will strike out less, but also walk less. bourn is seriously one of the best defenders ive ever seen.
how legit were the lidge for Ellsbury rumors last year? and how does bourne compare to Ellsbury? I looked up Ellsbury's stats -- he looks rather ubergodly with power, speed and average, etc. I faintly recall the Bosox news network (ESPN) saying that Ellsbury is one of the best young players in all of baseball. And I don't think Albers/Patton/Scott is enough to land Willis.
Your first mistake is actually valuing his opinion. His opinion means nothing. Bourn is way more valuable than he thinks, then.
I was speculating on what the starting point of said offer would be, but the marlins aren't going to get as much as you think.
Teams have to be skeptical when they know 2B is finally open for us and we're actively looking for someone else. He projects to 15-20 steals and 20+ homers, with a .290-.300 ba with a .340-.350 obp max. Those are great numbers for a 2B and if we really thought he'd reach those numbers we would not be looking elsewhere. at best we could get a decent prospect from maybe high A for him.
I think it's enough to get discussion started. Willis has a big contract and had a horrid 2007. his value is not what it was pre 2007. And no way the astros trade for him unless they feel they could resign him.
that's cool. If it's anywhere close to albers/patton/scott, we must pull the trigger. Willis has shown toughness and durability that we desperately need, and unless there are concerns with his arm, I'd target him number 1 priority. If we're serious about contending, we need a legit No2 starter.
scott is gone, it just depends on the pitcher you get back. some team can use a cheap corner OF stick like him. Willis is one option(they would have gotten much more before last season), westbrook in cleveland could be another. I don't expect luke to be on the OD roster. Also this move may open up money for a short term decent money offer to astro killer Thomas Glavine.
I think there are HUGE questions about Willis' arm. He threw a ton of innings at a young age, and each of the last three years, his numbers have gotten worse. ERA, Batting-average-against, WHIP, walks, strikeout rate, HR's allowed have all progressively gotten worse. I wouldn't touch Willis unless you want another Jennings disaster. http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/players/7133/career;_ylt=AoR_6VCo.D2ZOHjO9ijAQQGFCLcF
I don't think Willis can be looked at as a legit #2 starter anymore. He's a crapshoot. 2007 Wandy Rodriguez ERA 4.58 > 2007 Dontrelle Willis ERA 5.17
http://houston.astros.mlb.com/news/...t_id=2295530&vkey=news_hou&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou Wade is not permitted to discuss Willis, since Willis is not a free agent, but multiple Major League sources told MLB.com the Astros are among the teams that are interested in making a deal for Willis and/or third baseman Miguel Cabrera. The sources stressed, however, that the Astros appear to be unlikely to land either player. "Houston just doesn't have a match unless they're willing to deal [Roy] Oswalt, which clearly they're not," one source said. Florida/that source is on crack if they think willis gets them oswalt.
Jennings and willis are not even comparable. Jennings was never a good pitcher, Willis has always been pretty damn good
Willis was terrible last year, and had been on a downward trend for 2 years. However, the club is trying desperately to shore up the team while Oswalt, Lee and Berkman are in their prime. If they are going to gamble, Willis definitely has a big upside, and the price shouldn't be too steep. I am more worried that the Astros will sign him to a 3 year contract once the deal is made. If Willis doesn't come through, it will hurt us in the long term.
typically in the NL your weakest hitter bats 7th. because if there is a guy on base there isn't going to be 2 outs so your 7th can bunt the man over then 8th hitter can knock him in. also if 8th batter gets on base with less than 2 out then your pitcher can bunt him over and you have the top of the order instead of stranding him with the weakest hitter then the pitcher. hope that makes sense.
I read on ESPN Insider that the Yanks inquired about Jake Peavy. I know the Astros asked about him last season and Oswalt was really pushing for that trade since he and Peavy are really good friends. IMO Peavy would be a great addition to the rotation, just don't know if he is available and if we have the right prospects/players to get him.
They are comparable in that you're going to pay far more for what you get than you should have. Jennings because he was a one-year wonder in the final year of his deal. Willis because he was overused and has been progressively getting worse, but is in enough demand to command a lot in return. Willis hasn't "always" been pretty damn good. Last year, he wasn't just mediocre, but flat out bad. Otherwise, he had two damn good seasons and two pretty good seasons.
Pence would only be the starting point, we would probably have to throw in either Albers or Patton along with another prospect.
