After he blew the first save... it would have been impossible for him to get a second "save" had he closed them out in the 9th. He would have gotten the win. Thus, he didn't techinically blow the save the second time... he just lost the chance to get the win (just as if a starting pitcher pitched to the 9th inning, and allowed them to tie the game).
wow, our bullpen sucks. I know some of you want to trade Lidge...personally, I can't wait until he gets healthy and back in the pen.
If we plan to try to contend next year, I don't think there's anyway you can trade Lidge anymore. None of the other guys are reliable enough at this point to just say "oh, Qualls or Wheeler can be our closer."
yeah, but last year, those two guys were untouchable because of how unrelaible lidge was...? if we get swept or lose 2 of 3 in milwaukee this week... well, barring a miracle turnaround which seems less and less likely everyday, i'll be disappointed if lidge, jennings and loretta are still astros on august 1.
sorry, not a question: yeah, but last year, those two guys were untouchable because of how unrelaible lidge was...
Assuming the Astros become sellers, who would you like to see them go get, and who do you think is possible?
Certainly true about Lidge. But fundamentally, he has the best "stuff" and was the one projected to be good. Assuming he figured out whatever had gone wrong (big assumption, I know), I would feel more comfortable going into next season with him there than counting on the other guys. I do agree on Jennings, and maybe Loretta. Did we sign him to a multi-year deal? I guess it depends on what they can fetch and whether our timeline is to compete next year or 2-3 years down the road. If it's the latter, definitely try to move Lidge/Loretta.
if they traded those three guys... i'd like at least 2-3 ML ready everyday players at positions of need: C, and/or 3b, and/or SS, and/or CF/RF, and or 2b.
Well, yeah, obviously; I was curious what names, if any, you had in your head. Everyone's talked about Saltalamacchia; there are others out there for sure (and I haven't followed too closely).
and to that end, i'd like 'em to seek out everyday players - no pitchers (unless ML-ready). if they could turn jennings/lidge/loretta into an everyday 3B and RF... but part of this process (if it happens) is going to require purpura having a lock-solid feel for whatever prospects he has on the farm. he can't overvalue our next generation of ensbergs, rodriguezs, lanes and scotts, or be gunshy on our next pence.
i usually follow just the astros... it's nothing against mark loretta; he just happens to be a (likely) valuable commodity on a team with too few. and loretta's turning 37 next august and we all (unfortunately) know what it looks like when an aging 2b's skills start to erode... i wouldn't be pissed, but... disappointed if loretta is our best option at 2b next season.
I tend to agree - which is why I would lean towards keeping Loretta if we signed him to a multiyear deal. If he's a FA anyway, we can just give him a chance with a contender and then re-sign him in the offseason if he were interested in staying. I like his bat a lot at 2B, certainly more than Burke. I feel he's more of a "Carlos Lee" hitter in that he's a smart hitter and gets the most out of his at-bats. But, if Ric's scenario were to work and you could fill another position of need, then I'd be OK trading him. The differential would would just need to be more than the downgrade from Loretta to Burke. I think Lamb should be put on an offseason program to just field balls hit to 3B every day from October to February and see if he can become a competent 3B. If so, that's solves that position, which leaves us with a hole at catcher and possibly RF depending on what Scott does the rest of the seson (I'm assuming Everett stays). If we're looking 2-3 years down the road, then you might as well jettison Loretta no matter what.
i like loretta, too; lamb, as well... as back-ups. i hate, Hate, HATE the idea of investing in guys like loretta and lamb to carry significant loads - they're band-aids. at some point, you have to address the overall lack of talent on your team and build to win not just today, but down the road, too. the average age of your (proposed) IF next year of berkman, loretta, lamb and everett would be nearly 33 years. with a 31/32-year old carlos lee cemented in left, that gives you basically 2 positions to get younger (CF/RF and C). i'd be ok with that if our system was teeming with guys ready to take over, but, it's not... so among the over-30 crowd, i'd designate oswalt, berkman and lee untouchable and then try and get younger, but also better, all around them.
I'd agree - depending on what you can get. I'm just not convinced you get much more than a marginal prospect/player or a decent/good A or AA player for a 36-yr old Loretta. I might be wrong though - baseball trades don't make sense to me half the time.
