Loretta had 181 hits last year with only 63 strikeouts in over 600 AB's. His career obp is .363 He started in almost every game for the Red Sox last year and was an All-Star. What a great addition for the 'Stros. Does this make Everett expendable? Loretta is not that old. Probably has at least 2-3 good years left hitting around .290-.300 Is this enough to sacrifice Everett's defense? Could we make a move to get another good Starting Pitcher? Or are Nieve, Wandy, Sampson, Albers and Zeke competing for the #4-5 spots? Does Burke have the CF job? Who starts at 3B, Lamb or Ensberg? Will Pence be on the opening day roster? Is Ausmus still our everyday Catcher? Will Jason Lane be on the team in 07? I predict 20 wins for Roy, 17 for JJ and 15 for Woody, an MVP year from Babe and 35 HR's for Lee. Major questions for me are...How will Burke and Scott produce this year and how will our bullpen fare? Spring is in the air !!!
That's pretty good considering he hasn't hit over the .285 mark the last two years. He's declining. He's not a bad pickup but he wasn't really needed. Alot of people are overrating him.
O.k....he hit .285 and .280 the last two years. The year before .335 and the year before .314 The dude will probably hit around .290 He hasn't hit less than .280 in a full season....EVER.
He wore down late in the season. Check his monthlies - ABs and AVG. He was IIRC .300ish til latter August.
OF Jason Lane -- Lane played in 15 games after joining Leones del Caracas on Dec. 7. He batted .143 with two RBIs. When are we gonna release this guy? He has proven time and time again he can't hit. He shouldn't even be invited to spring training.
Wheeler has resigned...For some reason I thought he was already signed for 07. Link Astros sign Wheeler to one-year deal 01/08/2007 5:34 PM ET MLB.com HOUSTON -- The Houston Astros announced today that the club has signed right-handed pitcher Dan Wheeler to a one-year, $2.1-million, contract plus incentives. The announcement was made by General Manager Tim Purpura. Wheeler, 29, finished 3-5 with a 2.52 ERA (20ER/71.1IP) in 75 games in 2006, including nine saves. He struck out 68 and walked 24 while allowing 58 hits in 71.1 innings pitched. In three seasons with the Astros from 2004-06, Wheeler is 5-8 with a 2.38 ERA (42ER/159IP) in 160 appearances, including 12 saves. In 2006, Wheeler limited opponents to a .221 batting average, including a .184 clip following the All-Star Break. He allowed only five home runs in 75 games pitched, and he posted a 1.86 ERA (8ER/38.2IP) in 37 home games. Wheeler also recorded a 1.11 ERA (4ER/32.1IP) in the second half of 2006, the fifth-lowest mark for a National League reliever following the All-Star Break last season. He also pitched for Team USA in the inaugural World Baseball Classic in March of 2006. In 257 career Major League outings (including nine starts), Wheeler is 11-17 with a 3.82 ERA (141ER/332IP) and 14 saves. He has pitched in parts of seven big league seasons for Tampa Bay (1999-2001), the New York Mets (2003-04), and the Astros (2004-06). Wheeler has pitched in 13 career postseason games and owns a 1-0 record with a 2.12 ERA (4ER/17IP). He has never allowed a run in seven career League Championship Series appearances, a span of 9.2 scoreless innings. Wheeler was originally acquired by the Astros from the Mets on Aug. 27, 2004, in exchange for outfielder Adam Seuss. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
Very nice...Astacio too. Low risk, high reward. As long as they don't bring back the stupid ****ing Who Let the Dogs Out noise when he's at bat, I'm rooting for him to make it out of ST.
And the arbitration eligibles continue to sign on the line which is dotted: Lidge signs, 1 year/5.35M. He made 3.975M last year. He's not FA-eligible until after the '08 season.
Not like it's a shock or anything. Bet this quote by Purp: “We are looking forward to a great 2007 season with him as our closer once again. Brad is one of the leaders of our team, and we are expecting great results from him this season." will get the freaks' dander up, though. I now will admit that I have no idea what it means to "get one's dander up".
