in my best elaine: things just. got. interesting... (astros)

If you're tired of the stupid crap, then stop spouting it.

.286 with 24 homers is mvp candidate numbers?

The guy couldn't hit the broad side of a barn the entire second half of last season

 

You said you wouldn't do the trade unless it was for Andruw Jones, Griffey or someone simliar. You do realize Jones was an mvp candidate right?

Are you freaking kidding me? Do you not know that this team needs offense? .286/.405 obp is a HELL of alot better than the vast majority of this team. I bet you think Lane is a better hitter because he hit 2 more homeruns right?

 

Even with that .250 sept avg he still had an obp of .395. I wouldn't be worried about it.

 

The curse of the Home Run Derby winner....

 

Wow, talk about overvaluing your own players.

If you wouldn't trade your #4 starter and your 7th inning setup man for a left handed, middle of the order, power stick that hits for average and also has a cannon defensively, what exactly would you be willing to give up?

And did you just rate Griffey as a better commodity than Abreu?

 

I don't know why there is any debate over this deal. You give up a career 4+ ERA starter and a setup guy for a 5-tool stud without even blinking. End of story. Just look at the lineup:

Biggo
Taveras
Abreu
Berkman
Ensberg
Lane
Ausmus
Everett
P

I'll go to war with this anyday. ensberg is back where he belongs in the 5th hole. Not to mention the defense in our OF becomes top notch. Plus arms all around with speed to burn in CF and RF.

 

And what do you do about Mr. Bagwell?

If we sign an outfielder, the thinking here is that the Astros and Baggy have an understanding that he's not going to be able to come back and play. This would be contrary to Justice's article from late last week that stated Baggy is working out to strengthen his shoulder.

 

While I would love to see this lineup, I have to ask the question that has not yet been asked in this thread:

Where does Bagwell fit into this? Drayton's loyalty to Bagwell could make this trade not happen.

 

Dammit desi, you beat me to it.

 

Keep in mind that Abreu durring this "horrible year" was also #2 in the NL in walks, #6 in stolen bases, #7 in runs, and #7 in on base %. He had more RBI's than anybody on the Astros, would have led the team in doubles and been between #1 and #5 on the team in every significant statistical category. For a guy who had a crappy second half that's not too bad.

Add to that that he's a left handed batter with power, and he very nearly would be the perfect #3 guy (or #2 if you want to remove the traditional #2 bat) in that if you don't pitch to him he's perfectly happy to get on base and once there he has the skills to move himself forward and enough speed to make his way across the plate when the middle of the order guys hit. He combines the good offensive skills of a top of the order guy with the good skills of a middle of the order guy.

The only real offensive "blemish" is the strike out numbers. As a bat he's nearly perfect, he has a good arm in RF, and his defense is as worst average. The only problem is that if everybody's healthy you end up sitting Lane, but more than likely Bagwell hurts himself and you play Berkman at 1st and Lane in LF and you even end up with a defensive upgrade in getting Abreu.

 

Just the fact that the Astros have had talks about this means that they must have taken Bagwell's status for next year into consideration. I have a feeling we will have a very expensive right handed pinch hitter for 06.

 

Abreu wouldn't hit 3rd. He's not a better hitter than Berkman. He'd bat cleanup.

 

Both Abreu and Berkman have similar OBP numbers but Berkman has more power. I would rather see Abreu batting 3rd and Berkman 4th because of that. If Bagwell does comeback though I would like to see this lineup.

Biggio
Abreu
Berkman
Ensberg
Bagwell
Lane
Ausmus
Everett

Taveras will become the Astros 4th outfielder. He won't be happy about it, but he'll still see a lot of time. He'll become our starting CF again once Bags retires.

 

I'm pretty sure Stark was just throwing names out there (or his source was). i wouldn't take this too seriously - and even if it was serious, the Phills would mae us pay all 30mill, something Drayton probably wouldn't do. End of discussion.

 

I think I'd bat Abreu second. If Taveras stays in the lineup, he'd lead off with Biggio down in an RBI slot; if Taveras sits, Bidge leads off.

 

I have a feeling the Clemens negotiations are going something like this...

Uncle Drayton: Rocket we really need you to come back, what do you say?
Rocket: I think I want to, but how about getting us a bat.
Uncle Drayton: I'll get that bat if you are willing to take a little less money. You know I'm losing $50 million per year owning this team.
Rocket: You got it, but if you don't get a bat my price is $20 mill.

 

Will Abreu win more games than Backe minus his Backe's replacement? I'd love to have Abreu and I know it takes talent to get talent, but I wouldn't give up a very good starter for him. Just because he's #4 on this team doesn't mean he's so-so. He's got Clemens, Pettitte and Oswalt in front of him and Clemens is probably on his last year - then who do you get for your #3 and 4? I wish they'd gotten in on the fire sale that the Marlins had.

 

That's simple enough. Mr. Lane, please report to the bench right away. Mr. Lane, please report to the bench right away.

Biggo
Taveras
Abreu
Bagwell
Berkman
Ensberg
Ausmus
Everett