Jarred Cosart (tracking starts)

Well, unfortunately the statistics of baseball are so that they allow one to objectively characterize a players season much more so than any other sports' statistics. I apologize if I came off as too nitpicky.

Part of the reason why the steriods crack down needs to be more rampant and more harsh than it already has been... its nullified a good portion of the last 20+ years of baseball where numbers are no longer believable.

Its also why some can argue that players like Bud Norris and Jose Veras have value, while others can point out that they're not all that great (using actual stats to support that).

 

One can selectively use statistics to say whatever he wants to say. Stats as such become a great ddecievr/manipulator. Like the old saying: "Lies, damned lies, and statistics."

 

Very well said

 

Or, more importantly, as Charlie Brown said to Lucy - "Tell your statistics to shut up."

 

Its words like these that have made the Rockets climb back into contending status so quickly.

 

No, it's effective use of statistics, and finally some good luck, that have gotten the Rox back into contention. And, I wouldn't call it "quickly". It's been a long damn time playing Morey's "assets" game. Exciting times last year and this for sure, but not so nice at all the previous five years or so.

 

Wait, didn't you just say earlier that statistics are worse than lies? Are you saying Morey is just a bigger liar than everyone else?

So which team has done it quicker without the luck of a #1 pick in a draft that features once in a decade player?

I'm glad you thought so little of our 2009 team and Morey's hand in building that team. Does this mean that you will think little of Ludnow unless the Astros get into the AL championships?

 

Nope. I said that statistics can be used to manipulate and deceive, as illustrated by that old saying.

You got me. The last five years or so haven't appeared to me like the Rockets were executing a plan to rebuild. It's like they were collecting "assets" with the desperate hopes of finally landing that elusive "superstar". The plan backfired year after year, spurned by FAs we were courting or undone by David Stern when we finally sorted out a blockbuster trade. All the meanwhile, the "assets" were good enough for somewhere between 7th and 10th in the West, a long, boring, redundant cycle of asset-based mediocrity.

And, if we hadn't landed Harden last year, we would still be in the same spin cycle.

That's an overly negative commentary, and it's too negative. I'm very pleased that Morey's strategy has worked, and I regard him highly--I just don't want to pretend that stats only has been behind this recent on-paper success.

My point was that Morey used stats well, and also a lot of other acumen. And got lucky. You need some luck, too, in this business.

What other team has done better? I don't know. Perhaps no other team? Maybe the Heat? OKC maybe? Maybe not. Again, my only point was that it was a lot more than statistical acumen that Morey has working for him.

You mean the team that was still putting all its hopes on the Broken Dynasty and Mr. Microfracture? Yeah, I waited all year for the other shoe to drop. And what do you know? It did. Getting out of Round 1 for the first time since the Golden Era was fun and all, but everyone knew Ming was going to break. Again. I'm so glad he's retired.

If Luhnow and the Astros depend year-in and year-out on a player who continually demonstrates historic fragility, yes I will have very low opinion of him. The Rox wasted time hoping Ming wouldn't break down again. It was so damned frustrating. It was very costly having that much cap eaten up on two players you knew damned good and well weren't going to carry you through a full season and the playoffs.

 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Cosart's ERA went up again and he's walked more batters than he's struck out this year. Clearly unacceptable!</p>&mdash; Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) <a href="https://twitter.com/brianmctaggart/statuses/363494682828873728">August 3, 2013</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Jarred Cosart is 2nd pitcher in last 100 years w/ 6+ IP, 1 or fewer runs in each of 1st 4 career appearances (Wayne Simpson, 1970). (Elias)</p>&mdash; ESPN Stats &amp; Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) <a href="https://twitter.com/ESPNStatsInfo/statuses/363497556321378306">August 3, 2013</a></blockquote>
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50:19 GB:FB ratio in 28 innings. With his stuff the K's will come, and if the Stros can field even a mediocre infield (outside of Dominguez they have been pretty awful) that bodes well for the kid. He will get hit eventually, they all do, but he knows what he's going to have to work on going forward.

 

Wayne Simpson, from wiki:

In his first season, Simpson started the year by winning 13 of his first 14 decisions (the loss came when a dropped pop fly allowed two unearned runs), including a one-hitter, a two-hitter, and a three-hitter.

He also gave up Hank Aaron's 3000th hit. Blew out his arm and was 22-28 over his next 5 seasons (missed 2 years due to injury).

So there's that.

 

I keep waiting for the clock to strike midnight on Cosert but the kid is turning me into a believer. It looks like he has electric stuff and looks like he keeps the balls on the ground and out of the outfield. I'm pretty excited about this guy. So far he looks like a great deal for Hunter Pence.

 

Shows how good his stuff is to have that era with as many walks as this guy dishes out.

 

It tells you that in the minors he was problaby tinkering with his stuff.

 

ive liked what i have seen from cosart, hopefully he gets his walks under control

 

The dude is all heart. My favorite Astro since #7 retired.

 

You'll hate Travis Ballew. He loves Dallas (he's from suburban Dallas).