2nd time that has happened to us recently. Not to mention in game one Wallace didn't go for the double play and just went back to first, though I think it was probably the right decision in that case, but he didn't even seem to check 2B.
Am I the only one who is decidedly not excited to be the first team in MLB history with the dubious distinction of "earning" three consecutive first round picks? Is Rodon really that much of a "can't-miss", "once-in-a-generation" player? I'm thinking not. I still hope the Astros win like, *all* of their games between now and season's end. Even though I know they'll continue at somewhere between a .200-.300 winning percentage. #gostros #losingsucks #yesiknowbbsdontsupporthashtags
You aren't alone. I hate the anti-Lidge/Dotel/Wagner that we have in our bullpen. I hate losing 75% of the time. I'm loving some of the encouraging things about our young players, but the bullpen just ruins my day time and time again.
I agree... but bandaids are what got us here in the first place. I hate being associated with terrible-ness and I remember mocking the Tigers a decade ago when they were atrocious. That being said, I would rather benefit from being the worst than sacrifice a few spots in the draft to still be bad. I guess that is the mindset I take to deal with it, but I trust that the next couple of years will provide fruit. Also, we have enough talent to fill up a pen in AAA and some in AA, so I'd rather sift through what we have then sign multiple arms that would possible cost us picks.
Bandaids aren't what got us here. Losing our international presence and poor drafting is what landed us here. Band-aids didn't cause that. In baseball, losing isn't as important (though the new rules have added a new dimension). Royals & Pirates have been losing forever, and just finally maybe turning it around. Teams like the Cardinals and Braves have been winning for a long time despite no bottoming out and changing cores. We won't lose picks from signing bullpen guys. Luhnow talks about a winning environment in the minors, but what about now that these guys are in the majors? It is time to start moving up. Next season will hopefully be a lot better. I fully understand why they've taken this path, but it doesn't have to make me happy. We've filled the system. It is too late to do anything about this bullpen. Guys right now are auditioning for jobs. I look forward to a purge. End Frustrated Rant. Has anyone noticed that Brett Wallace has the 2nd highest OPS on this team?
You're right. The band aids are not what got us here, but it sure wasn't helping the process. Also, though losing isn't as important, you still want to have a decent sized draft pool. As for losing picks, I know that there are certain free agent signings that lead to you losing draft picks, and it is easy to assume we would have avoided such players. More Lindstrom, Lyons, Veras signings I would imagine. As for Wallace, he has been a bright spot over the past month. In the 35 games (31 starts) that he has been back with the Astros, he has a .891 OPS and (possibly most importantly) 8 homers. We have seen Wally hit and stay hot before, but usually not with the power. With a BABIP of .316, it is also reasonable to think this is sustainable. This is the player we were hoping to see.
The new rules make it unlikely many relievers will result in losing/gaining picks. You have to offer the player a contract of at least the average of the top 125 salaries ($12-13M). A lot better system if you ask me (even if though we benefited from the old system).
Or if they could quit striking out so much. Carter is ridiculous (37.1%). Consider Mark Reynolds' career worst is 35.4% and Adam Dunn's is (35.7%). Wallace, even in his return has a 28% K-rate, but without the superior BB-rate of those guys. His power has offset it though. Seems like the team will try to move one with Singleton the clear future. They could stick Carter back in LF (and DH Wallace), but I just assume go with a Grossman/Hoes/Springer OF for next season with Barnes the 4th OF.
Ahhh. Thanks. That is a much much better system, and I bet the relievers are rejoicing that teams aren't backing away from giving them contracts out of fear of losing picks. Their K rates are just stupid. Carter needs to be mashing a few more homers in order to make up for that K rate, but he does walk a decent amount, so I will give him that. Wallace shows very little history of being someone that walks, so that's an aspect of his game that will need to grow and develop even though he hasn't show much fruit from it before in the minors. What will be interesting is to see if Singleton can pressure the Astros into making a decision by performing well at the end of this year in AAA and show that he is ready for the big show. Carter could be someone interesting to move, and maybe that's just because I am partial to Wallace.
I am with you. Hate losing. But unless you think we are losing intentionally, it makes our poor record a bit easier to swallow knowing that higher quality help is on the way in the form of a high draft pick next year. Rodon may not be the next Oswalt, but if he is better than anyone else in next years draft, then id rather have him than anyone else next year.
I would expect us to compete next year, by compete I mean maybe winning 75 games..if these young pitchers can somewhat keep it up, some bullpen help, & a Springer & Singleton call up along with some of the guys that have been exciting (Grossman, Wallace, Castro,Villar,Altuve) we show promise. I'm ready to start winning again. After we get Rodon though!
Back to Carter, I really can't stand watching that long, lazy swing & then his moping around. He's pretty bad, I think Telvin Nash could do the same thing? lol
said this way back in the season and got ridiculed..100% agree with you always has that dumbfounded look on his face.
I don't think it is unrealistic. Optimistic, sure, but possible. I'm hoping for 70 wins. Depends a lot on the pitching staff. Can the young starters continue to pitch well, and can we find enough guys to muster an average or better bullpen. I think the offense and defense will improve with addition of Springer, and subtraction of the Ronny Cedenos.
