Do you have to rush to the defense of the Astros every time someone criticizes them? I am not too excited for Jennings because 1) he isn't that great of a pitcher and 2) even if he does turn out to be pretty good he may just be a 1 year rental. Jenning is what he is. I like him, he may be a solid number 2, but nothing spectacular. Wait, now you are saying that we had to "pay extra" in the Jennings trade? The way you descibed Taveras and Buckholz, we completely robbed Colorado. Free agency is what it is? Really no kidding? Thanks. The point is committing that much money to Carlos Lee may not have been the smartest move. Especially with all the issues this team appears to have in the starting rotation and bullpen. And especially when he really isn't a superstar caliber player like a Berkman or like Bags and Bidge were back in the idea. Of course it is early, so who knows. But Richard Justice thinks this team will be good, and we know how he is always right.
No, just every time somebody posts something arguable or inaccurate. At least, that's why I jump on whining. Don't worry, The Writer of Wrongs will change his opinion soon. And then he'll change it back. And then he'll defend it. And then he'll call everyone else "idiots".
When the criticism is illogical, yes. No, he's not spectacular, but the Astros traded two mediocre prospects and a very subpar CF, and for that package you're not going to get anything spectacular. They paid a reasonable price. No. I'm saying you "pay extra" when compared to developing a pitcher within your own system. Did you watch the free agent pitching market? The same market where Jason Marquis and his 6+ ERA got 7 million a season and the same market where Ted Lilly made 10+ million? I don't mind that complaint (although I disagree with it). But your initial complaint - that Purpura "bought high" - would've also been said if Purpura went after additional starters. They were overpriced too. Is Lee a superstar? I'm not sure, but a .300 and 35+ homer player is extremely valuable, and that's what he's likely to be in this park. The kinds of players superior to that usually aren't available via the free agent market. Also, for all the "issues" the starting rotation supposedly has, they've given up 5 earned runs in almost 20 innings. That's excellent. The problem has been the lack of hitting and injuries to the heart of the order (Berkman, Lee, Scott). If you think that will continue, then yes, there's reason to believe the Astros have problems. If you don't (and I think it's completely illogical to think of Berkman and Lee as .111 and .167 hitters), evidence points to them being fine.
Fair enough, but the results of the trade remain to be seen. You don't have to pay anything to develop a pitcher in your own system, you already have him. Well no I don't expect Berkman and Lee to hit under .200, but by the same token I don't expt our starters to give up only an average of 5 earned runs per 20 innings. Not when we have Wandy as the #4 and an unnamed pitcher as the #5.
Don't panic yet. they're going to break out the big bats tonight even though wandy gives up 7 runs we'll still win...9-7 astros.
