http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bb/5634252.html "I think at this point we'd have to say that he's got to be one of the guys," manager Cecil Cooper said. "The way he's pitched, he's had one bad inning his last three times out there. He's been pretty solid." Sounds like Oswalt, Wandy, Backe, Woody, and Chacon are starters unless someone beats out Woody.
Woody basically has 2 more chances to extend his career. If he keeps going like he has been this spring, retirement is probably much closer than he originally thought it would be. Don't count Sampson out yet.
Woody has to pitch himself into the starting rotation at this point. Sampson, Cassel, and Moehler are all ahead of Woody.
I'm not sure where this impression comes from. Every time he's been asked, Cooper has been very clear that Woody is not a lock for the starting rotation and that he isn't at all pleased with what he's seen so far.
Oswalt, Backe, Wandy, Chacon and Sampson sounds better. Woody can be effective for an inning or two...I dunno why the team seems to think who wouldn't work in the pen as middle relief or a spot starter.
Astros should take a look at John Patterson, who was let go by the Nationals today. He had some nasty stuff. He has had arm problems that last couple of years but couldn't be any worse than what the Astros have right now. He is from Texas and that could give them the edge maybe.
One of the most extreme fly-ball pitchers in the majors who's had 1 healthy season in his career, and couldn't crack the pitching-starved Nats rotation. What gives you the idea that he's a better option than Chacon/Sampson/Moehler? A minor league deal would be great, rotation depth is needed, but if I were him, I'd look at a team playing in an extreme pitchers' park, the Padres maybe. Ask castor or codell (I forget which) in a couple of days for a scoop on what his plans are.
Love reading comments from Coop, just about zero b.s. from him. Straight shooter. I wonder how much of the Stros exploration into trading Loretta is coming from a desire to shed a bit of salary & offset Woody's contract if (looking a whole lot more like when) he's let go.
He is still not healthy. Fastball doesn't have the same zip right now. I think he still has a high upside. Give him some time, I think he could help.
Agreed, and I think a minor league deal giving him the chance to strengthen his arm at RR would be great, but that's different than "he's better than what the Astros have right now."
Because he is Castor27's brother in law, and Castor could use that connection to give us all the inside info on the Astros since our local media has pissed most of the players off so much over the years that we can't get decent coverage even in our own ******* city.
Read more Footer. Joe Duarte's been good since they moved him over into the Jesus' gig. Would be wonderful if that was a permanent change, but I don't think it is.
It's been nice to read the chron regularly the past couple of weeks. Duarte's been good. If they switch certain personnel back, I'm sure I'll stop paying attention to them again.
Does any body know if Ortiz will ever be back? I hope he doesn't. JD has be a lot better. I was tired of Ortiz always writing about how the Astros never drafted Carl Crawford, Chris Young, Josh Barfield, and James Loney.
I didn't say he was a lock, but someone has to outperform him. WW either starts or he is done. If someone had already solidly outperformed WW, WW should have already been sent packing. I fear for the worse (no one has pitched better in Coop's mind) since he is still at camp and Cooper will reluctantly send WW out there.
Ty Wigginton has 7 errors this spring which is a lot for a 3rd baseman. Hopefully het get than out of his system before Opening day or we could be seeing a lot of Mark Loretta at 3rd.
Geoff Blum is second in the depth chart, who might see a lot of late innings in close games as a defensive replacement.
Nats cut him because of his rehab. He isn't 100% and they didn't want to wait on him to get there. He is looking at options I haven't had a chance to talk with anyone yet so I don't know where he is looking or who is looking at him. If I hear any Astros news I will pass it along.
http://blogs.chron.com/astrosblog/2008/03/astros_may_have_interest_in_pa.html VIERA, Fla. -- The Astros have expressed interest in righthander John Patterson, who was cut by the Washington Nationals on Thursday. "We'll take a look at it and see if anything makes sense," Astros general manager Ed Wade said. Patterson, who was the Nationals' opening day starter in 2007, must clear waivers before the Astros can have any discussions with him. The Orange native has been limited to a combined 15 starts the past two seasons because of right forearm problems. He underwent surgery last September to repair a nerve problem. Patterson's best season came in 2005, when he went 9-7 with a 3.13 ERA. "We'll look at the possibility of doing something," Wade said.
