1. Welcome! Please take a few seconds to create your free account to post threads, make some friends, remove a few ads while surfing and much more. ClutchFans has been bringing fans together to talk Houston Sports since 1996. Join us!

[FoxSports.Com] Astros will pursue free agent Luis Castillo

Discussion in 'Houston Astros' started by rikesh316, Nov 3, 2007.

Tags:
Page 1 of 3
  1. rikesh316

    rikesh316 Member

    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2002
    Messages:
    4,447
    Likes Received:
    36
    http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/7404158

    By: Ken Rosenthal

    The Mets recently re-signed Damion Easley, who turns 38 on Nov. 11, and their other internal possibilities include Ruben Gotay and Anderson Hernandez. None, however, is considered a proven everyday player.

    Outside of the Mets and Astros, the market for Castillo appears limited.

    The Padres, who recently parted with Marcus Giles, are another club that plans to promote from within rather than spend big at second.

    The White Sox, last in the majors in on-base/slugging percentage in the leadoff spot last season, would appear an excellent fit for Castillo, but the team plans to use Danny Richar at second while seeking upgrades in center field and possibly shortstop.

    The Astros also intend to pursue a center fielder with the intention of moving Hunter Pence to right. However, the top free-agent center fielders — Torii Hunter, Andruw Jones and Aaron Roward — might prove too expensive for their budget.

    A trade for a younger center fielder is possible, or the Astros could keep Pence in center and sign a right-handed hitting corner outfielder to platoon with Luke Scott in right.
     
    #1 rikesh316, Nov 3, 2007
  2. rikesh316

    rikesh316 Member

    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2002
    Messages:
    4,447
    Likes Received:
    36
    The Mets, competing in a thin market for free-agent second basemen, will face a stiff challenge in their quest to re-sign Luis Castillo.

    The Astros are preparing to make a strong run at Castillo, according to major-league sources, envisioning him as a replacement for Craig Biggio, who retired at the end of the season.
    Castillo, 32, would be a defensive upgrade over Biggio at second, and his .368 career on-base percentage and speed would benefit the Astros in the leadoff spot.

    After Castillo, the top free-agent second baseman is the Rockies' Kaz Matsui. The Rockies plan to offer Matsui a two-year deal and are prepared to use internal solutions if they deem his price to be too high.

    Matsui, 32, would not be an option for the Mets after his disappointing run with them from 2004 to '06. Cardinals free-agent shortstop David Eckstein, 32, could appeal to the Mets, but he has not played second since 2001.








    What's hot:

    Runner dies during U.S. marathon trials

    A-Rod wanted $350M from Yankees

    Dwyane Wade cleared to play

    FBI knew of O.J.'s plan in advance

    Marvez: Pats-Colts is NFL's best rivalry

    Goodman: Great start for Boston's 'Big 3'

    --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Top stories|Rumors|Video|Photos


    The Mets recently re-signed Damion Easley, who turns 38 on Nov. 11, and their other internal possibilities include Ruben Gotay and Anderson Hernandez. None, however, is considered a proven everyday player.

    Outside of the Mets and Astros, the market for Castillo appears limited.

    The Padres, who recently parted with Marcus Giles, are another club that plans to promote from within rather than spend big at second.

    The White Sox, last in the majors in on-base/slugging percentage in the leadoff spot last season, would appear an excellent fit for Castillo, but the team plans to use Danny Richar at second while seeking upgrades in center field and possibly shortstop.

    The Astros also intend to pursue a center fielder with the intention of moving Hunter Pence to right. However, the top free-agent center fielders — Torii Hunter, Andruw Jones and Aaron Roward — might prove too expensive for their budget.

    A trade for a younger center fielder is possible, or the Astros could keep Pence in center and sign a right-handed hitting corner outfielder to platoon with Luke Scott in right.
     
    #2 rikesh316, Nov 3, 2007
  3. Mr. Clutch

    Mr. Clutch Member

    Joined:
    Nov 8, 2002
    Messages:
    46,550
    Likes Received:
    6,132
    So they are giving up on Burke?
     
    #3 Mr. Clutch, Nov 3, 2007
  4. rikesh316

    rikesh316 Member

    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2002
    Messages:
    4,447
    Likes Received:
    36
    Who cares he isn't that good anyway. Castillo is a gold glove defender who rarely strikesout and has a solid OBP.
     
    #4 rikesh316, Nov 3, 2007
  5. xishi

    xishi Member

    Joined:
    Jun 29, 2003
    Messages:
    211
    Likes Received:
    1
    burke hasnt shown us anything :mad:
     
    #5 xishi, Nov 3, 2007
  6. The Cat

    The Cat Member

    Joined:
    Jan 24, 2000
    Messages:
    20,802
    Likes Received:
    5,255
    This is a move that makes a lot of sense. Instead of making a lateral move offensively (Rowand/Hunter to Scott) and wasting a lot of money, this is a cost-efficient move that significantly upgrades the offense at one of our weak spots.

    In addition, Castillo's consistent .360 OBP and low strikeout total would give the Astros their first legitimate leadoff hitter in a long time.
     
    #6 The Cat, Nov 3, 2007
  7. Mr. Clutch

    Mr. Clutch Member

    Joined:
    Nov 8, 2002
    Messages:
    46,550
    Likes Received:
    6,132
    This guy gives the Astros the speed they have sorely been missing since they traded Willy Taveras, who posted a .360 OBP this year in Colorado.
     
    #7 Mr. Clutch, Nov 3, 2007
  8. The Cat

    The Cat Member

    Joined:
    Jan 24, 2000
    Messages:
    20,802
    Likes Received:
    5,255
    Of course, Taveras' high OBP in 97 games is a clear outlier from the rest of his career, whereas Castillo has posted the following OBPs in the last six seasons:

    .364, .381, .373, .391, .358, .362

    Get back to us when Taveras does it in more than half of one season.
     
    #8 The Cat, Nov 3, 2007
  9. rikesh316

    rikesh316 Member

    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2002
    Messages:
    4,447
    Likes Received:
    36
    The 2nd baseman market isn't good for veteran players. Last year Ronny Belliard and Mark Loretta couldn’t find jobs even though they had decent years the year before. I expect him to get like a 2 or 3 year deal for 5 million a year which is reasonable. The Mets have other options like Damion Easley, Marlon Anderson, and Ruben Gotey so hopefully they don’t get into a bidding war.
     
    #9 rikesh316, Nov 3, 2007
  10. rikesh316

    rikesh316 Member

    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2002
    Messages:
    4,447
    Likes Received:
    36
    This is a great markets for teams in need of a centerfielder like the Astros with players like Hunter, Rowand, A.Jones, Cameron, and Corey Patterson.
     
    #10 rikesh316, Nov 3, 2007
  11. Air Langhi

    Air Langhi Contributing Member

    Joined:
    Aug 26, 2000
    Messages:
    21,668
    Likes Received:
    6,301
    If you look at his career trends willy has made a progression. Timmy screwed up with that trade.
     
    #11 Air Langhi, Nov 3, 2007
  12. kaleidosky

    kaleidosky Your Tweety Bird dance just cost us a run

    Joined:
    Mar 20, 2002
    Messages:
    15,084
    Likes Received:
    1,352
    good move assuming it doesn't get ridiculously expensive. He's good and fills a need if we want less question marks heading into this season. Clearly we're going to have a lot again.. the key is to at least get some of those changed to "definites"--even if the definite isn't spectacular.
     
    #12 kaleidosky, Nov 3, 2007
  13. The Cat

    The Cat Member

    Joined:
    Jan 24, 2000
    Messages:
    20,802
    Likes Received:
    5,255
    If you look at Chris Burke's career trends, he seemed destined to be a good player after 2006. What happened?

    Even young players have fluke seasons, especially when they miss 60+ games with injuries. Taveras' walk rate didn't really improve. Neither did his gap power. His BABIP was sky high. The only difference between Willy's 2007 and his 2005/2006 is that more of his bloop singles fell in, which absolutely screams fluke.

    I'll make anyone any tip jar bet they want -- $50, $100, I don't care -- that Castillo has a higher OBP in 2008 than Taveras. And I'm pretty sure it won't even be close.
     
    #13 The Cat, Nov 3, 2007
  14. rocketfat

    rocketfat Member

    Joined:
    Jun 29, 1999
    Messages:
    1,742
    Likes Received:
    1
    they found out about burke?
     
    #14 rocketfat, Nov 3, 2007
  15. Mr. Clutch

    Mr. Clutch Member

    Joined:
    Nov 8, 2002
    Messages:
    46,550
    Likes Received:
    6,132

    If you look at Jennnings' career trends, he looked like a #2, he isnt even a legit #5. What happened?
     
    #15 Mr. Clutch, Nov 3, 2007
  16. right1

    right1 Member

    Joined:
    Feb 9, 2002
    Messages:
    2,318
    Likes Received:
    840
    Would be a great move. Especially if they can use Burke in a trade for a starting pitcher.
     
    #16 right1, Nov 3, 2007
  17. The Cat

    The Cat Member

    Joined:
    Jan 24, 2000
    Messages:
    20,802
    Likes Received:
    5,255
    Exactly... thus why "career trends" aren't all that relevant when the sample size is one season (or in Taveras' case, half of one season).
     
    #17 The Cat, Nov 3, 2007
  18. SamCassell

    SamCassell Member

    Joined:
    Feb 14, 1999
    Messages:
    8,884
    Likes Received:
    1,342
    Forget the great leadoff hitting... Castillo's selling point to me is the defense at 2B. He's a huge upgrade over Biggio there. To the point that we could sacrifice some defense at SS and still be as good an up-the-middle defensive team as we have been for the past few seasons.
     
    #18 SamCassell, Nov 3, 2007
  19. MaxwellsTemper

    MaxwellsTemper Member

    Joined:
    Jul 3, 2007
    Messages:
    413
    Likes Received:
    1
    Castillo would be a pretty solid pickup. His defense is outstanding.
     
    #19 MaxwellsTemper, Nov 3, 2007
  20. Brando2101

    Brando2101 Member

    Joined:
    Apr 20, 2005
    Messages:
    6,410
    Likes Received:
    927
    The rest of his Career? Are you kidding me? He has played for THREE seasons!
    Outliers are are placed amid many other pieces of data. Don't use terms like that if you don't understand them.


    Guys improve gradually in their first few years.

    As you said, he had those stats in 97 games...by my count that is for more than half of one season.
     
    #20 Brando2101, Nov 3, 2007
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)
Page 1 of 3

Share This Page

Toggle Width
Style
ClutchFans Original

  • About ClutchFans

    Since 1996, ClutchFans has been loud and proud covering the Houston Rockets, helping set an industry standard for team fan sites. The forums have been a home for Houston sports fans as well as basketball fanatics around the globe.

  • Rockets Content

  • Support ClutchFans!

    If you find that ClutchFans is a valuable resource for you, please consider becoming a Supporting Member. Supporting Members can upload photos and attachments directly to their posts, customize their user title and more. Gold Supporters see zero ads!


    Upgrade Now