Exactly. Remembering that utility players can and occasionalyl do play regularly (1 game at second, one in left, one in right, rest, etc.), Biggio should be the one platooning. Burke may not be the better big league option, but if ever there was a team that needed to take that chance, and take to chance on other rookies as well, it's this Astros team. As bad as it may look on paper, this team was horrible offensively for a large part of last year and still had a great run. These youngsters will take their lumps, but the risk may just pay off, creating a new Killer B dynasty (Berkman / Burke), etc.
IMO Biggio does not have the range to play 2nd base as well as Burke. I love the guy and he`s a cornerstone to the organazation but as some point you have to play the guy who will help your team win. I know Spring Training doesnt mean alot, but it does give us an idea where the players are at and at this point Burke deserves the nod over Biggio at 2nd base. IMO there is no way I see Biggio collecting his 3000th hit in a Astro uni because it would take another 2-3 years. The guy has been solid for over a decade, but come on, its time to let the younger guys have a crack at it
FWIW, Justice was on 610 this morning and mentioned that he thought Lane, Scott and Lamb would be the opening day starters in the OF....he thought Willie may get sent back to AAA and that Burke may sit the bench and play a similar role as Lane form last year.
Burke is going to take a back seat to Biggio's run at 3000 hits and the Hall. Unfortunately for Biggio he will sit late in games and probably get fewer than 500 at bats this year. He is a much more productive hitter before the 7th (check his stats) so this may not actually hurt the teams production and with him sitting late for Burke's defense we are a better team. It will add a year or two to his assault on 3000 hits though. Right now he is looking at two years better than he has had in awhile in order to reach 3000. The 'Stros just have to decide whether they want to limit Burke's playing time or put him back at AAA. They would be fools to trade Burke's kind of talent when Biggio is only good for another year on this team.
Biggio has shortened his swing due to his wrists and loss of batspeed.On the basepaths and in the field,he is a step slower. C'mon Drayton,move him to the American League and let Burke play.
Having Biggio to start the season is not a bad thing. Having him starting late in the season would not necessarily be a good thing. The natural progression is for the young guys to ease out the old and I expect Garner to do that very thing. He will play the guys who can help win. Scott, Burke and Taveras have to prove they can do it when it counts. They will get their chance. Scott and Taveras get the benefit of Berkman's injury for a few weeks to show what they can do. Either by spelling Biggio and the occasional start in the OF or by injury to Bidge or Vizcaino he will get his time and when he does I bet he makes the most of it. Bill Doran was past his prime thereby paving the way for Bidge to move out from behind the plate. If Bidge slips at the plate............. Burke will get his time and we will get the younger team we all want to see. Watching Bags struggle through the last years of his career is no fun. I wish he and Bidge all the best but I am ready to see the young guys in the organization refresh the lineup.
Ok, any possibility for Burke to play 3B? It's not like we got world beaters at that position, Ensberg is not a better player then Burke.
Not a chance Burke plays 3rd. Ensberg will have a much better season this year. He isn't starting off with the elbow problems that caused some bad habits last spring. He's hitting with more power, especially to the opposite field. If for some reason it isn't Ensberg or Lamb at 3B, it will be Viz.
Burke should get the chance to start, Bidgio is a great veteran off the bench, but his time has come and gone. DD™
How do you arrive at the conclusion that Ensberg is not better than Burke? Ensberg hasn't really lived up to his torrid start in an Astros uniform, but he did smack the hell out of the ball for that one half a season, and he hasn't been completely terrible since then. Burke is a largely unknown quantity, and you claim he is definitely at least as good as Ensberg (who I believe was considered a better prospect all along anyway)?
Biggio has below average speed, a below average arm, and is not a threat on the basepaths. He is still a good hitter, and is a highly intelligent player....his time is well behind him. I love the guys grit and desire, but he needs to step aside already. DD
Especially when he's an icon who people are treating like he's Willie Mays on the Mets. It's sad, really. You'd think people could appreciate how lucky we've been as Astros' fans.
It's a video game world. People just toss the old systems into the closet when the newer versions hit the market. It doesn't matter that the old system still works fine, and cost a whole lot less.
If Biggio can play like he did last season I see no reason to replace him. Besides, I want to see him get #3000 in an Astros jersey. Hopefully, the Stros will be in contention this season and Burke can be used as trade bait to bring in a player.
Maybe I shouldn't have said the last part of my statement, but I still say Ensberg ain't anything special. If Burke is truly a talented player then why not stick him in our weakest position so we can see what he's made of while Bidge keeps on the field making everybody happy. This solved the Bagwell dilemma when he was a natural 3B but we still had Caminiti who was still entrenched at 3B at the time.
biggio is like 3 years away from 3000. he will be 42 by then just so you know. and why would you want to trade away one of the top prospects in the game just so there isnt a conflict with biggio?
