Top 10 Prospects - Houston Astros from the draft years: 2010 - Delino DeShields Jr. OF/2B (1), Mike Foltynewicz RHP (1), Mike Kvasnicka C/OF (1 supp), Vincent Velasquez RHP (2) 2009 - Jiovanni Mier SS (1), Tanner Bushue RHP (2), J.D. Martinez OF (20) 2008 - Jordan Lyles RHP (1 sup), Jay Austin OF (2) Non-drafted FA: Jonathan Villar, SS
Indeed, a little suprised he didn't include Austin Wates in the top 10 but since he came on board so late I'd assume he'd crack the top 10 during the summer. Also surprised he had J.D. at only #8, I think the guy is a natural hitter but I guess his "D" is still developing.
Very Not sure we are one pitcher away from contending or even if he would want to come here, with the teams after him, BUT... Lee Myers Wandy Happ Norris That could win you A LOT of games. Tempting, VERY tempting.
I don't think they go after him. He is going to go to the highest bidder and that team won't be the Astros. He is a damn good pitcher but some team will overpay for him on the open market.
Don't you think that if we could add a bat to that staff, somewhere, and if Carlos Lee was 25% better than he was last year, that we'd be a decent bet to win the central? It wouldn't be my preferred plan... I'm in the "youth movement" crowd... but I agree, it would be tempting. And yes, while I did say our prospect list is bleak, it's only because it will be 2 - 3 season before most of those youngster will be contributing to the big club. It looks VASTLY better than during the 2007 offseason.
Signing Cliff Lee would be bad in the end for the franchise, but at least we could laugh at the Rangers.
While the revenge factor would be nice, year 5 of the Cliff Lee deal could end up feeling like year 5 of the Carlos Lee deal.
Big if, really, his decline has been coming and it finally hit. Still, if he has another year like last but Pence, Wallace, Castro and Johnson all continue to progress the right way....we might have something. The Reds are VERY good but their pitching is so young and the Cards have a STRONG core but pretty bad complementary players.
I'm a fan of Cliff Lee...but this would be a bad idea for the Astros. Like many have said, we're not 1 of anything away from competing. I don't want a team that competes to win the Central. I want a team that competes to win a World Series. Overpaying...again...would set them back even further.
admit that as confused as you might be, you'd be totally pumped about going out to MMP to see him pitch!
I've been on the blow-it-up bandwagon for years now, but I don't think this is a bad move. I imagine the goal is to be competitive in 2012. If that's the case, you're really only wasting his 2011, but you're locking up an ace for the 3 or 4 years you want to be contending. Given that aces are hard to find, that's not a bad deal. Financially, Lee would essentially be replacing Oswalt. So you got the prospects you wanted out of Oswalt, and you got another Oswalt - that's what you want. And if the Astros aren't competitive in 2012 or 2013, then trade him away for more prospects to become competitive. I wouldn't get into some crazy bidding war out of desperation, but an ace is probably the single most difficult piece to find for when the team does want to compete. So if you can get one, you might as well inquire.
hmmm interesting point. I agree with the replacing oswalt and throwing away 2011 to build on 2012. Also, Oswalt's contract is up in 2012 so maybe he could resign with the Astros? That would be one of the best rotations in the NL with Lee, Oswalt, Meyers, Happ and Wandy...... but one can only dream right?
Though I agree with this part, we need to give our prospects a couple of years to develop before going right back to trying to be competitive. Lets give Wallace and Castro another year to develop their bats, figure out our 2nd base situation, lets see which of our bullpen arms are for real, lets see if our AAA prospects can turn into something....then re evaluate at the end of the year, and if we're close, make a run for someone next year, whether its Roy or a bat, whatever. Or maybe rebuild for yet another year after that. Either way, its too early to go after Lee. If we do, we might as well go after a bat or 2 and try to be <i>real </i> competitors.
I thought the Astros already came out and all but said they arent going after any "big ticket" guys....we arent getting Lee. We may go test drive the ferrari...but when it comes down to it, we aint gonna be calling the salesman back
You make a dam good argument for going after Lee, in the end I see the Stros flirting with Lee but not getting really close unless they WAY overspend.
Don't you just wish that Drayton would overpay just once, but go nuts about it. I'm all for the youth movement and building through the draft... don't get me wrong. But Uncle D's a billionaire. Couldn't he just give Carl Crawford his 6 year deal and Cliff Lee a 5 year deal at a roughly 10% overpayment and try to win this thing now? Move Lee to first, have Crawford in left (best defensive outfield in baseball). We'd have good lefty-righty balance, a good to great rotation (depending on which Wandy shows up and whether or not Myers can replicate 2010) and three players with plus speed. We'd lead the league in steals and triples. It almost wouldn't matter who played short. Ahhh... I can dream.
