I was looking at the lineup, and where we go from here. Our pitching looks good, if we can keep it healthy. But, I do not want to see Biggio out there every day in the outfield. He can still hit, and is still a valuable player, even at 38. I think he should play 3rd base, he can make that throw and still has quick reactions, and you do not need great range to play 3rd. Morgan Ensberg and Lamb are decent, but Biggio is better than both of them IMHO. Put Lane in left, Beltran in center and Elvis in right and Biggio at 3rd. Also, I want Craig to move down the lineup, heck I would bat Beltran first, he can create havoc on the basepaths, he is like Ricky Henderson in his prime. DD
Does Biggio have the arm for 3rd? I'd still rather leave Ensberg/Lamb there. Biggio, if anything, would have to pinch hit/backup Kent/Burke.
Biggio's rag arm at 3rd base would be a complete disaster, in my opinion. There's a reason you don't see guys of his size/arm strength playing there. I'd put him back at second base. He'd produce pretty good numbers there compared to the rest of the league's second basemen.
Why not. Ensberg was only good for popups. Lamb is a good hitter, but he's looked terrible in the field. I think it's a viable option.
You don't need a great arm to play 3rd, it is a shorter throw than the one from the outfield. There are guys with awesome arms at 3rd, but plenty with average ones as well. I just don't see Biggio as an everyday player anymore, and his bat is still valuable. Lane deserves a chance to play every day, the guy has an above average arm, good power, and decent range. It is his time, arguably, it should have been his time this year. I just think Biggio wants a chance to get to 3000 hits, and it would be a shame if it happens as a DH in the American league, but that looks fairly likely. DD
I'd would rather he play 1st than 3rd. He's a better hitter than Bagwell. Has more speed on the bases than Bagwell.
Put him back at 2nd, but please get him out of the OF. He made a better adjustment than most his age, but he need to get back to 2nd.
well if u put biggio back at second, where r u going to put chris burke, who is the astros top prospect and 1st round pick in 2001 iirc. biggio isnt a everyday player anymore imho. he has lost he plate discipline to be a good leadoff header by drawing walks.
I really want to see Lane get a chance to play. I don't know what to do with Biggio because I want to see him succeed and do it in an Astro uniform. If I had to totally base it on what was best for the Astros I'd say let him walk, but I know that's hard to do. The only thin I could think we'd use him for would be to pinch hit, and we all know he wouldn't like that because of his quest for 3000. I also thought about putting back at 2nd, but we do need to give Burke a chance. I hate having Biggio lead off because like someone else mentioned, he never draws walks anymore. He probably had more HBP's than walks for the season. Bottom line is we have 3 options: Let him walk and upset a lot of people even though it would be best for the team (in my opinion). Let him stay and keep killing us in the field and keep our young players from having a chance (Lane and/or Burke). Let him stay and pinch hit even though I doubt he would be happy with that. So which would you choose? It would be bad, but I'd probably let him walk if he refused to be a reserve/pinch hitter. Pugs
put him back at catcher. Sure runners will steal on him, but he would be a big improvement on the offensive end. You could shore up your outfield with a more viable option and he could return from whence he came.
He wasn't good defensively 2 years ago when Kent replaced him; he certainly isn't going to be any better. He can't play 2nd and still produce offensively.
Biggio should play either LF, 2B or Catcher next season..... ...for a team other than the Astros. The Astros need to decline their options on Bidge and Kent. The Astros need to trade Jeff Bagwell to an AL team and they need to trade Wade Miller. Roger Clemens is retiring for real this year. Time to move on people. Build for the future. Chris Burke should be our everyday 2nd baseman next year. Lance Berkman should be our everyday 1st baseman next year. Jason Lane should be our everyday LF next year. THe only bullpen arms they should keep are Qualls and Lidge, and perhaps Wheeler, although I think his performance in the NLCS was a fluke. Get rid of the rest of them. They should try like hell to resign Beltran, but if they can't they will need a defensive CF with speed to cover all of that ground at MMP. Wily Taveras, although he is no Beltran by a long shot, might be the guy if they can't make a deal for anyone else. This was Bags & Bidge's last shot with the Stros. The Astros desperately need to get younger.
I have to agree with this. Another reason Biggio is in the outfield now is to lessen the wear and tear on his body. 3rd base is called the hot corner for a reason. Biggio doesn't have the range or the arm to handle 3rd base right now. Biggio definitely cannot play catcher. Piazza was moved from catcher to extend his career as the catcher gets more nagging injuries than any other position. If the Astros are serious about the youth movement and stacking up cash for Beltran, there really is no reason to keep Biggio. Biggio would be good as a pinch hitter, but he would be an expensive one.
