Belive it or not the Astros have good starting pitching

kinda reaching with those pitchers other than Roy.

the one thing I am worried about other than pitching is to see if we get the "old" Lance back. The guy that hit for average AND power.

 

When it was all said and done... Lance had a pretty damn good year last year.

Sure, it wasn't near his career avg's... but most guys would kill to have a season like that... and its more a testament to how high of a bar Lance has already set for himself in the first half of his career thus far.

 

Only one of those pitchers has a good resume. And he's probably in decline.

Sorry, no dice.

 

Has there been any news on where Jennings might sign? I know he had a horrific year last season, but I would not ming bringing him back as we could probably get him at a relatively cheap price.

 

I wouldn't want him even if he offered to pitch for free.

 

None of those guys is a #2. You can't make arguments based on ERA. Yeah, those guys are all decent, that's why they are in MLB. But beyond that, that doesn't make you a #2 pitcher because you have an ERA less than 4.50.

Those guys don't have the stuff, control, and can't eat innings to be a #2. Which of those guys can you mark down and say "this guy is getting me 200+ innings." None. They could, sure.. but will they? Probably not. A #2 has got to be able to get deep into games, not just have an ERA of 4.00. Plus, what about their walks, runners on, etc etc. I'm not gonna bother looking it up, because my intention is not to rip those guys up. Yeah, they are alright.. I particularly like Sampson. But they are not top of the rotation pitchers.

 

If Backe can stay healthy he should be a pretty solid pitcher at the top of the rotation. Hopefully he will have a healthy season because we need his excitement and attitude on the staff.

 

Backe can be a 3 imo. And the others would be as good as probably 90% of the 4/5's in the league. We need a #2...period.

 

I think Albers is probably best suited for long relief and perhaps a spot start in lieu of an injury to another pitcher in the rotation. Sampson looks a little bit more consistent but certainly has room for improvement. Patton? Haven't seen enough of him here in the bigs to form a yea/nay vote. Backe can step up into the #2 if no other options present themselves I think he can handle it sans the getting bit by the injury bug. Wandy showed grit last year and with a good showing in spring training, I think he deserves an opportunity for the #3. On thing for certain, the rotation will be appreciably better just not having Jennings back. God what a bust he was!

Rotation: (if no better options out there ...)

Roy, Backe, Wandy, Sampson, Patton/Woody.

 

Agreed. Roy's an obvious ace and Backe's a decent 3 if healthy. Wandy/Patton is respectable as 4/5. I don't really know where that leaves Woody/Sampson/Albers/Gutierrez et. al

The problem right now is Woody is our #2...

As for Albers, I think he has good enough stuff to be an 8th inning guy, and maybe even a closer.

 

he's had good stuff for awhile but he is not consistent at all.

 

We need a quality inning eater,a proven #2+, and a closer.

 

If Backe is expected to be the #2 or #3 pitcher in our rotation, we can kiss next season goodbye. We'd be over .500, probably.. but that is not a rotation for a playoff contending ballclub.

 

Over .500 is a playoff contender in the NL Central

 

i'm down with what we got as SP...only because next year is the cream of the crop with starters. SAVE YOUR MONEY FOR NEXT SEASON! Santana will not sign an extension with anyone. Then theres CC Sabathia Jake Peavy and so many other great arms to be had next season.

 

Peavy is expected to sign an extension today (if not, he is still under contract through 2009). If Santana is traded he more than likely WILL sign an extension with that team.