Bags just stole home. Awesome play. Considering his average speed, I'd have to say he's the smartest baserunner I've ever seen.
Oswalt Miller Redding Hernandez Reynolds? That is a scary, young(except for Reynolds, of course) rotation.
Was thinking that also, but I expect Oswalt and Miller to really mature in the next few years. I guess you can consider Miller a veteran now. I think Redding may be the X factor. Looks like we may have 4 young guys, all hard throwers with outstanding stuff.
Also, only the second Astro shutout at Enron. There haven't been alot of runs scored this homestand. The media may have to find another aspect to attack Enron Field now.
Didn't get to watch the game but the radio broadcast made his effort sound really outstanding. What does the kid look like---his stats make him sound like a beanpole. I keep forgetting Round Rock is an Astros affiliate or I would've made sure to catch some of their games here in SA and watch some of these prospects.
After seeing the young pitchers that they keep calling up, did the Astros give Lima a few too many chances? If sticking with Lima cost them at least 2 victories, was it a mistake trying to salvage him? I am impressed by how poised the young pitchers are. Mango
Not to put a damper on anything... ... but how many innings does Hernandez have to pitch to qualify for his first year of major league service? With McLane's record, we might not have more than his low-rent years. Of course, I've been trying to convince myself that he let Everett and Hampton go (well, traded them) because they knew about these minor leaguers. *crosses his finger* Hernandez great start does make Houston's post-season roster an even tougher decision. Great start
It's always easy to second guess players based on stats alone. Minor League stats are extremely misleading, and if you ruin even one potentally outstanding pitcher by calling him up too soon, you have made a mistake. The fact that Lima has turned it around somewhat in Detroit only proves that he had loads of talent, and his only problem was that he was a head case. It is always natural to give someone who has the stuff but can't put it together a few too many chances. Listening to Larry Dirker describe the Astro's situation always gives me comfort. While the fans swing around like a manic-depressive on a binge, extoling the teams virtues one minute, and crying doom the next, Larry Dirker always responds to questions about short-term streaks with even-keeled balance. Baseball, more than any other sport is the 'Zen Game'. You don't play it, it plays you. It's like responding to the tide rising by crying doom and claiming that the world is going to flood. If you have a good team, things will work out in the end, and any good or bad streak will be soon forgotten.
Ok, assuming that the Astros go in this direction next season , that means Astacio is gone. Who would you try to obtain for him? I say, a speedy CF with a solid bat and glove, a la Cruz Jr. If Castilla weren't on board, I would say a good 3B, but Castilla has been solid, and I would certainly like to see him return.
Live, if the Stros don't keep Astacio (and they almost certainly won't), they're likely to just cut him loose. They have a $1 million buyout option on his contract and, coincidentally enough, received that much money from the Rockies as part of the trade. He's a short term rental, unless something magical happens in the playoffs.
The Astros won't get anything for Astacio. He'll leave with the $1,000,000 buyout that SamCassell mentioned. I also doubt they will keep Castilla unless he would sign a lower contract, BUT I think the CBA in MLB prohibits players from taking too much of a pay cut, although I could be wrong. Anyway, MLB is also headed towards an unsettled labor situation on 11/01/01. The Astros will be counting on Truby, Ensberg and their most missed player this year, Bill Spiers to handle third base (if Spiers will ever be able to play again). Incidentally, Hidalgo is younger than Cruz, hits for a better average, better slugging pct, better OBP and is a better fielder with a better arm. The only advantage Cruz has is better base speed. He is also signed through at least 2004. Although he has had a disappointing season, thus far, he is starting to pick it up.
Thanks for the info, SamCassell and bobrek. I was mistakenly under the impression that Astacio was due to make $9 million next season.
