[Official] Astros Offseason Thread

I'm getting pretty anxious for FA news with this team. I keep waiting for Delati or Berman to break SOMETHING....sorry...just getting impatient.

 

I have not really done a ton of research on Vernon Wells. But from what I have heard he has been compared to a Tori Hunter as far as his defensive abilities which is high praise. I have also heard him compared to Carlos Beltran (or is that he is wanting Carlos Beltran $$$ )

For those of you that have greater knowledge about him. Could you expond on his skills and does he remind you of a young Carlos Beltran (Is he a true 5 tool star)? Because if he is anywhere in that neighborhood than I would hope the Astros would do everything in their power to get him (if he is available).

It still gets me depressed that Carlos choose the Mets over us. But that is water under the bridge.

 

From astros site:

http://houston.astros.mlb.com/NASAp...ontent_id=1740206&vkey=hotstove2006&fext=.jsp

Houston GM Tim Purpura spoke with agents for several free agents on Monday, including the representatives of two of the biggest free agents -- Alfonso Soriano and Carlos Lee -- as the Astros are being aggressive about upgrading their offense for 2007.

...

In addition to Soriano and Lee, the Astros have previously had contact with the representatives of free-agent center fielder Gary Matthews Jr. and pitchers Jamie Walker, Jeff Suppan, Woody Williams and Kip Wells.

 

PLEASE don't go after carlos lee. he's about one off season away from being cecil fielder's size...and we don't need a ****** playing first base. I vote for keeping berkman at first, going after either dave roberts or gary matthews jr for an everyday CF or keeping Willy T out there...Taveras is just so streaky. Soriano would be HUGE! I would love to see him in a Stros uniform! He would also be an option at 2nd should Biggio decide to retire after he gets his 3000 which would open up some playing time for some younger guys in the OF like Jimerson or whoever. I really hope luke scott continues where he left off last year too.

 

Defensively - absolutely. Offensively, not even close. And yes, he's rumored to want Beltran money. Many people here screamed that Beltran was overpaid when he signed - why on earth they'd want a player substantially worse at prices anywhere near that, I have no clue.

Unless we only want him for a yeah, Wells should be avoided like the plague.

 

Year, not yeah.

 

I wouldn't call him substantially worse. Vernon Wells is a very good player. Should he get Beltran money? I don't think so. He would make a huge difference on the Astros, though. Also, he has publicly stated that he wants to return to Texas. The prevailing thought was to the Rangers (he's a Dallas boy). I think that if either team were to get him in a trade, they wouldn't have a hard time getting him locked up long term.

 

I wouldn't either.

And Aramis Ramirez's agent was grumbling about "Beltran money" as well. Doesn't mean he was going to get it, and he ended up settling for less.

Will be interesting to see how the market plays out this offseason.

 

Wells was a very good player in 2006 and even then, his OPS was 80 points lower than Beltran. In 2004 and 2005, Wells' numbers were very similar to Craig Biggio - and I don't think anyone would argue that the Biggio of those two years was very good. Fairly good, at best, and only because he was playing 2B. Wells has also shown no signs of improvement. His best year was 2003 and then 2006. He can be expected to have an OPS in the mid 800's. Beltran can be expected to be mid 900's. Beltran's worst SB year is as good as Wells' best. The guy's known for his potential more than anything else, but he has yet to consistently realize it.

That's not to say he's not a pretty good player - he's fantastic defensively and pretty good offensively for a center fielder. But there's a huge difference between him and Beltran, who's numbers are up there with the top 10 players in the game, regardless of position.

 

Sure, but the problem is we won't know that until after we'd trade for him. So you'd be paying prospects for a guy who may or may not settle for less. If he was a free agent, certainly we should get involved in the bidding and make a reasonable offer - but we have to trade for the guy, and that makes it far riskier unless you can negotiate a contract in advance. The problem with that is that if he's convinced he's worth Beltran money, he needs to get into free agency next year to learn that he's not.

 

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/sports/4338784.html

The Chronicle's article this morning suggests the Astros may be talking about swapping Chris Burke for Jason Jennings. Jennings pitched over 200 innings last year with a 3.78 ERA pitching his home starts at Coors Field.

What say you??? Would you trade Burke to nab Jennings??

 

hell no.. Biggio is gone after this year and we need a second baseman. Biggio should be platooning anyway this year, so Burke should get tons of time at 2nd.

But Jason Jennings?? Pitching is our strength, go find some hitting. Please don't make this move...

 

Hell yes. Jennings eats up innings and is 28. The Astros starting pitching is not a strength going into 2007. I think he would be harder to find than a player like Burke.

 

Yesterday.

Second basemen are pretty easily & economically replaceable. Durable young starting pitchers are not. Only problem is: What's Jenning going to want to re-sign here?

 

that's how i feel about it, too. and i really like burke. easy guy to root for. but not knowing how our rotation is gonna shake out makes me much more nervous than having to find a 2B.

i have no idea what jennings would want. he lists Dallas as home. he's currently making $4.5 million/year. maybe McLane can work out a Baylor discount???!!! of course, as my dad could tell you, there are no discounts at Baylor!

 

Something to consider - Coors Field is no longer the Coors Field of old. It's turned into a fantastic pitcher's park with the humidor stuff. He's pretty good, but you have to decide what you think of Burke. If he can be an 0.850 OPS type second baseman (pre-ASB numbers), I think you have to keep him. If you think he's more his post-ASB numbers (0.650 OPS), then it's a great trade.

 

CBS Sportsline says Jennings had the 2nd worst run support in MLB last season.

 

Yes. And I like CB!

 

Easy there, tiger. The humidors basically turned Coors from far & away the most extreme hitters park in the history of baseball into merely the 1st or 2nd most hitter-friendly park currently in MLB. The humidors (which other teams may start to employ) *did* cut down on HRs though.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/stats/parkfactor