Out of Stark's column... http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=stark_jayson&id=4082916 Anyone worried? I wonder if that means even moreso that we'll keep him (later on in the year if we're out of it) because the market may not be there for him as an elite pitcher anymore..
I think the stuff is still there, but what motivation does Roy have to crank it up another gear? He plays for the 2nd worst team in the majors. Even Berkman's numbers were better during the good years.
The "stuff" hasn't been there for Oswalt in at least the last two years -- this is nothing new. He's been on the decline, physically, for a couple years now. But like the executive said, his intelligence and his heart have mostly made up for it. Also, the thing about older pitchers with declining zip (i.e. Oswalt) -- it usually takes them a while into the season to truly warm up and reach peak velocity. I think that was a big factor why Oswalt had such a huge second half last year (4.56 ERA pre-ASB, 2.24 ERA after) and why you can't worry too, too much if he has a mediocre April.
This NL executive is pretty bright. I had no idea that a pitcher would have to make adjustments to his approach with hitters when he gets older and loses his velocity. No wonder he's a high-paid exec.
Puma did have a great season last year. He had a better season in 2006, one year after the WS trip. 2008- .312 avg, .986 OPS, 29hr, 106rbi, 114runs, 18 steals. 2006- .315 avg, 1.041 OPS, 45 hr, 136 rbi, 95 runs. Berkman just hit for way more power in 2006 despite have avg/obp's that were nearly identical. Now the steals last year were a nice bonus, but I'd say they were a consequence of the entire team being green lit permanently. I'd much rather have the '06 version than '08.
But they weren't any better in 2005 when we went to the WS. Berkman ended with a typical Berkman season last year.
his ERA in March/April, May, June, and July is about the same--around 3.50 (for his career), as is his WHIP at around 1.24 His K rate is lower in March/April and May than the rest of the season Granted, the WHIP and ERA do have peaks in August and Sept/Oct, but we're saying "slow start" not "strong finish".. and 2/3 of the season isn't what I'd call a "slow start". Last year was in line with what you're saying. But the year before (2007), it was June especially and somewhat Sept/Oct where he really struggled. And in 2006, he was sick pretty much all season long (June slightly worse, Sept/Oct amazing) Basically, I don't know that the data really supports him being a slow starter, last season aside
We won more games in 2008 than we did in 2006. 6 more games, actually. And those 2008 numbers are virtually identical to the numbers he put up when we actually were going to the WS in 2005.
Bah, I concede. Berkman is a god. It's not like I'm not hoping for both Roy and Puma to have great seasons. My first pick in my fantasy draft was Puma and my team name is Oswalt's Bulldozer. But I do recognize they're both towards the end of their primes and are playing for a ****ty team. So not performing up to usual standards wouldn't be surprising.
I hope every single Astros player from here on out will flat out refuse to play in Bud Seligs totally useless and meaningless(and utterly boring) profit-driven-pissing-match he calls the World Baseball Classic.
What does that have to do with anything? Roy didn't pitch well for most of last season and didn't have the WBC to blame. So what is your point?
Most of last season? or less than half of last season?.......mehh....you're right. It has NOTHING to do with anything. signed, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Chipper Jones, Dustin Pedroia, Ichiro Suzuki, Ryan Braun, Matt Lindstrom, Roger Clemens, Brad Lidge, Jake Peavy, Houston Street, Mike Timlin, Todd Jones, Dontrelle Willis, Chad Cordero and Dan Wheeler to name a few....... not to mention all that risk to please those blazing jam packed crowds of.....5-6 thousand fans. It's not worth it. Nobody cares about it. Nobody, sans Bud Selig.
Oswalt is still sick as ****, his only problem is he refuses to pitch around hitters, instead challenging them when he's down in the count. He could get away with it when he was younger, with a better fastball, <b>but </b>, this does not mean he cant be as good. He fares better when he recognizes his opponent.
