Who wants to be first idiot to say, "OMG! They signed Jose Cruz Jr? This team is terrible!" They got him on a minor league deal and he gets a chance to compete for the 5th OF'er spot. He's still got a good arm and can hit for power off the bench should he get a chance. He only makes the team if Luke Scott is moved, IMO. Worst case scenario, it makes Cheo happy.
He is clearly Jason Lane's replacement. Once a kid with promise, who looked good in Toronto at times, but never lived up to expectations. A corner outfielder with some pop in his bat. If he makes the team he can't be worse than Palmeiro or Lane were last year.
They signed him for nothing as an insurance policy in case they have to move Luke for hopefully a real starting pitcher. Hopefully we can get some more has been outfielders in the fold soon. Is Hildago available?
What we need is another has been 2nd baseman so the Astros can totally screw up any chance of Chris Burke showing what he can do.
Astros sign Cruz Jr. to minor league contract Three others sign minor league deals By BRIAN McTAGGART Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle Jose Cruz Jr., the son of former Astros left fielder and current first base coach Jose Cruz, was signed to a minor league contract by the Astros today with an invitation to major league spring training. Cruz, a former standout at Bellaire High School and Rice University, hit .234 with six homers and 21 RBIs in 91 games this year with San Diego and played all three outfield positions. In his 11 years in the majors, he’s played for Seattle, Toronto, San Francisco, Tampa Bay, Arizona, Boston and the Los Angeles Dodgers. “When I took the job and went downstairs to say hello to ‘Cheo,’ one of the first things he asked is ‘What are the chances of getting my son to come play here?’” Astros general manager Ed Wade said. “I said we’ll look into it and we were able to get something done in a Triple-A deal and give him a chance to earn a job with our club. We’ll add him to the mix. “There were different points in the time in the course of Jose Jr.’s career he was viewed as one of the top outfielders in the game and in high demand. He’s a veteran with some experience and a little bit of age on him, but he’s still the type of guy that in the right setting can contribute. We’ll give him every opportunity to make the club out of spring training.” The Astros also signed infielders Kevin Hooper and Tomas Perez and lefthander Stephen Randolph to minor-league deals with spring training invites. Cruz, Jr., 33, is a career .248 hitter with 204 home runs, 623 RBIs, and 113 stolen bases. He is one of 18 active outfielders to record at least 200 career home runs and 100 stolen bases in his career. Hooper, 30, played in 60 games with Class AAA Toledo this year and hit .301 with one home run and 19 RBIs. He appeared in 52 games at second base and eight games at shortstop. Hooper played in 14 games with Detroit from 2005-06, hitting .125 in only eight at-bats. Perez, 33, split last season between Class AAA Las Vegas and Class AAA Charlotte and combined to hit .254 with six home runs and 56 RBIs. Following a midseason trade from the Dodgers to the White Sox, Perez appeared in 88 games at Charlotte, serving as the club’s primary shortstop. Perez, an 11-year major league veteran and switch-hitter, owns a .240 career average with 24 home runs and 180 RBIs in 781 games with Toronto (1995-98), Philadelphia (2000-05) and Tampa Bay (2006). Randolph, 33, made 14 appearances for the Astros last season, finishing 0-1 with a 12.15 ERA. He was 10-2 record with four saves and a 1.90 ERA in 31 games at Class AAA Round Rock. In three Major League seasons with Arizona (2003-04) and Houston (2007), Randolph is 10-7 with a 5.52 ERA. brian.mctaggart@chron.com
Can anyone tell me what happened to hidalgo? When i was a senior in hs this dude was a top prospect, 5 tool player. I go to UT, then move back to houston and he falls off the planet then Chasing Lane Beats him out for the last spot on the team.
What?! and say the same thing over and over again?! How much can really be said about the offseason so far. After it's all been said how much more can you say?
I guess Qualls will be penciled in as closer...which is fine if the alternative was overpaying Cordero. Hopefully we can do something to add a #2 starter. I wonder if D Train is still on our radar. Maybe with the Mets and Yanks fighting over Santana, we can grab Willis before he becomes the consolation prize to whoever doesnt get Johan
We dont have enough. I think most likely Cabrera is gonna get traded to the Angels and the Angels are gonna satisfy the Marlins with all the position players they want. There is NOTHING we can give them to satisfy them unless we gave them a stud pitching prospect.
I'll keep it up as long as you guys say I have enough wine and cheese. I'll stop when I either pass out or throw up.
I hope they don't go for Willis. Something tells me his time has come and gone. That wacky delivery has to be screwing up his body.
Just for you MadMaxipad http://www.wpthezone.co.uk/teenzone/thelaw/alcoholthelaw/SceneC-throwingup.gif
