Yeah and Rocket said he was gonna retire 4 years ago. I'm not saying I think its going to happen but come on, 4 years down the line when they're both free agents couldn't they possibly say "hell lets just play one more year so we can play together" and have that spin into more? It is definitely ultra wishful thinking.
Astros looking for pitching at winter meetings. http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/5349522.html I doubt we get him, but I'd love to land Street as our closer.
All of those guys would be too pricey when we really need to focus on a #2 pitcher first. It would be nice to get Nathan if he becomes a FA next offseason, bring him home to Houston, but after the crazy deal Coco Cordero got, he'll cost a lot.
Street has had injury issues since coming up. I think he's very good when healthy, but I'd take Nathan over him in a heartbeat. Street would probably cost less, though.
Nathan is already 33, and I'm pretty sure he's in the last year of his contract, meaning he'll be very expensive next offseason. For that reason I'd prefer Street. If we could put a package together for Street and one of the starters the A's are thinking about trading (not Haren), I'd call it an offseason.
Some interesting things from day one at the winter meetings: The Astros are considering shipping Chris Burke to the White Sox for an unnamed reliever. Free agent Marcus Giles has attracted interest from the Rockies and Mariners. Colorado is trying to sign Mark Loretta to replace Kaz Matsui, and Giles is one of their fallback options if they lose out on Loretta. Seattle would be interested if it trades Jose Lopez. A baseball source says 10-12 teams have inquired about Jason Jennings, who is recovering from elbow surgery. He will be throwing by spring training and will be ready to pitch by the beginning of the season. Now that one of Houston's free-agent targets, Randy Wolf, has signed a one-year contract with San Diego, the Astros could step up their pursuit of Jon Lieber. Ed Wade, Houston's new general manager, was in Philadelphia when Lieber won 17 games for the Phillies in 2005. Agent Rex Gary said eight or nine clubs have expressed interest in Lieber, who went 3-6 last season while making only 14 appearances because of a foot injury. http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=3132311&name=winter_meetings
I would rather let Patton, Wandy, Sampson, Albers, Backe and Woody battle it out for the rotation than sign some of these other risky starting pitchers that are out there. I would like the Astros to trade Burke and Scott and whoever for Joe Nathan.
The possible lineup on opening day is a pretty nice upgrade over last season so far: 2007 2008 C - Ausmus Towles 1b - Berkman Berkman 2b - Biggio Matsui 3b - Ensberg Wiggington SS - Everett Everett LF - Lee Lee CF - Burke Bourn RF - Scott Pense
Guys, it's going to take Patton and/or maybe Paulino in any kind of a deal for a pitcher that's something other than bad. I like Chris Burke and Luke Scott more than most do. But let's look at this objectively. With Burke, it's a 50/50 proposition at best as to whether he approaches his 2006 numbers again... and if he does that, he's still a league-average second baseman across the board, at the plate and defensively. That's his best case scenario. More than likely, he's slightly below average, and that's his value. Luke Scott was a very good hitter (.850 OPS) last season, and was actually remarkably consistent over the past four months. However, he hasn't had a full season's worth of productivity in the majors, and given his age, it's not an easy sell that those numbers will translate over 600 at-bats. For one, he has to prove the durability to handle those at-bats... and there are the perceptions (probably unfair) that he's too streaky and that he's been pushed out of the Astros' lineup by Bourn, taking away some of our leverage. All in all, he's probably viewed as a slightly above average starting outfielder, even though his production likely could be more than that. When you combine Burke and Scott... you're essentially talking two players valued as league average at best who have no place in this lineup. As a result, I think a lot of folks are going to be disappointed that are expecting a package centered around those two to net a pitching acquisition of any significance, and certainly not a big-time SP or Joe Nathan. Scott and one of the best prospects in the organization, maybe, but not Scott, Burke, and random mid-level guy. I think a lot of people have this mentality that three average players should = one good to very good player in a trade, and that's just not how it works. It amazes me that Burke has taken so much grief on this board all season long for being a horrible and terrible player... yet now a lot of these same folks seem to think he'll have this great trade value, and it just doesn't work that way. I hope the Astros can make a deal for a starter, but more than likely, it'll be something like the Burke for a reliever with the White Sox rumor... and there's nothing to be upset about with that (pending who the reliever is, of course).
Well, according to ESPN's Crasnick, the mystery new starter won't be one of the "damaged goods" types (i.e. Lieber/Clement/Garcia): http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=3140986&name=winter_meetings I actually like the sentiment in the last bullet. Rather than overpay in a trade for a closer, let's just get a dependable 8th inning guy and go with Qualls. The lineup looks good, the pen looks good, but if we don't add at least one more starter, I'm afraid we're still not good enough in our mediocre division. There's still tons of time, however. I think a lot of teams are waiting on the Santana trade to see where the chips fall before dealing the Harens, Blantons, Bedards, etc. I'd love to get Blanton and call it a day, but I agree with The Cat that it's going to take more than two guys who couldn't crack our lineup (Burke, Scott) with Matt Albers thrown in.
• The Astros and Padres have talked about a trade that would send outfielder Luke Scott to San Diego. And it appeared the teams were moving toward a resolution. http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=3140986&name=winter_meetings Same link from above, I wonder what the deal would be.
Blanton, really? I'd love that.. BUT, I don't think I'd want to give up a guy who's likely to make the rotation in Albers.. but maybe I'm overvaluing him cause he's shown potential at the ML level (as opposed to some other guys who have only shown it in the minors so far)
No one from the A's is going to be cheap because they're all good, young and club-controlled for a few years. Haren will go for similar to what Santana goes for, and Blanton is looked at as a Brad Penny-level pitcher by the A's brass. We really don't have the available pieces to get a guy like that.
Wow, I was totally hoping that is who it would be. He started the year off great and then tailed off pretty bad. I think that would be pretty good value for Scott if Germano is healthy and we think he can help. The only other valuable pieces the Pads have are relievers so it is either Germano or a reliever. The Padres could really use Burke too. Then they would be filled with Astros castaways.
I hope we dont get another reliever, we need a starter bad. Im pretty certain that we arent gonna get cla meredith. Yeah im hoping for Germano too. Lookin at his game logs from last year, he gave a bunch of quality starts. Too bad the pads werent a great offensive team.
How exactly is our bullpen in good shape? It's currently the same pen as last year, minus Wheeler & Lidge, plus a 40+ yr old Doug Brocail. And last year's bullpen was absolutely horrible.
