True...but if it only would have cost us Redding (and I am not saying that is what they asked for...just mentioning someone comparable...and perhaps better than Casey Fossum)...then to have Cruz in our lineup as opposed to Palmiero to start the season...and then have the flexibility of using him in CF or LF just in case one of the young guys (Lane or Burke) don't produce and/or use him as a platoon even if they are playing well...it would have been a nice, cheap option
Granato & Zierlein were discussing how this agreement leak out of the Astros office and how it was bad from a PR standpoint. I didn't get a chance to hear the source. But supposely the intend was b/c was to justify Clemens comeback. In other words he didn't want to come back for nothing.
I'm a fan, but I think this team kinda sucks. I don't think they are built in a way that's even close to getting to the World Series. If they win the division or make the playoffs, it will because they're playing out their asses like the Cards did last year.
Cruz has long been hampered by a ****ty work ethic. He got badly out of shape last season. He also wants to start, while his skills scream "4th OF", which is what he'd be when Lance comes back. Not worth the money. **** Burnitz. Anyone who thought he was a legit CF option for more than spot duty is smoking crack, or has never seen the guy play the OF. A's have been shopping Eric Byrnes all offseason. Cameron wants out of NY. Much rather have Byrnes. Git er done. Simmer down, Orlando Palmeiro will not be a starter.
Compare this team to the beginning of the year last year. We all had HUGE WS aspirations going into the season. With essentially the same team, plus Kent. Okay, we took a big loss in Kent...but how does that knock us back from WS contenders to nothing? Just because there's not a bunch of hype surrounding huge signings (Clemens/Pettite last year) doesn't mean we're gonna be a terrible team. I think if we had lost Kent and Beltran last year, and then made a big splash by signing Clemens and Pettite this year...half the people would have us in the Series again.
Never underestimate the power of pitching. The Braves have done it for years with solid pitching, and even though our line-up doesn't look great I am QUITE satisfied with what will be on the mound. Clemens Roy-O Pettite Backe Redding Franco (lefty with something left?) Lidge Why spend a bunch of money now on second class talent when we don't really know what we already have? Just because we had the least active off season doesn't means it's the worst.
From an Astros standpoint, Berkman's injury, coupled with the loss of Kent, kills us out of the gate. Bags now has ZERO lineup protection. In addition, we expected huge things from Ensberg last year...so now we go into the season with Morgan as our 2nd best offensive 3B. From another standpoint, we now know what to expect form the Cards...they weren't a consideration last year...and while they may have lost Renteria, Womack and Woody, they gained Mulder, Gruz, Eckstein and you also have to factor in Larry Walker (who didnt start the season with them last year). Other teams in the NL got better too. The Braves, who were thought to be done last season, won the division and will probably win it again. The Marlins have one of the most potent offenses in the NL (which wasnt thought to be the case last April).
that was the only publication that printed it.....the chronicle and other papers just reiterated it they were discussing it on 610 and 790 but i am guessing they heard it in the same place we did
Justice says that they're still shooting for opening day... Considering that the Newsday column has had enough holes blown in it to drive a big 2 ton heavy thing through...I take it with a grain of salt. We'll see.
you talking about pettitte? i thought you were asking about the report on clemens' handshake deal...sorry
Pettite was supposed to work out a couple of weeks ago but couldn't because his shoulder was sore. I don't remember the the details, but it was sound bite on 610 of Pettite saying that his shoulder was sore.
Article from Feb 7 on pettitte Astros report: Inside pitch Feb. 7, 2005 The Sports Xchange Five months since undergoing season-ending elbow surgery, LHP Andy Pettitte is making steady progress as he prepares to report to spring training on Feb. 17 with the rest of the Astros' pitchers and catchers. "I'm just glad it doesn't hurt to pick my kids up, open the door and brush my teeth," said Pettitte, who went 6-4 with a 3.90 ERA last year. "I feel good. I've progressed a little bit and can get on the mound and do long-toss sessions to start spinning my pitches. "I've been spinning some curveballs and spinning some cutters up there and throwing some changeups. Really, I want to start to get the feel of my pitches again." Pettitte, who spent his first nine years as a major part of the Yankees' World Series contenders, didn't have much luck in his first season with his hometown Astros. But he's hoping for better luck now that he's recovering. "Everything will be dictated by my arm and how it feels," he said. "I'm going to take it slow. When I get to spring training, I'm usually ready for some games. "But I'm going to take it a little slower this year, and maybe it will be good for my body. I've been going hard the last nine years in New York, and maybe my body needed a little rest. It will be good for me." Although he had elbow problems throughout his career with the Yankees, he never needed surgery. He even tried to put off surgery last year, but he seemed doomed for surgery after he injured his elbow on a checked swing in his first start of the season April 6 against the San Francisco Giants. He went on the disabled list twice and made 15 starts, but he was done for good and landed on the DL for the third time after a painful start against the Mets at Shea Stadium on Aug. 12. Pettitte underwent surgery Aug. 24, giving him no chance of pitching in the playoffs even though he was actually the only Astro who openly said that they weren't dead in the playoff race. He was right. The Astros won 36 of their final 46 games to reach the playoffs, but he had to watch as his teammates finished a win away from the World Series. "If you would have told me the day I was going to have my surgery (that) this team was going to be playing to go to the World Series, I probably would have said I would shut it down and tried to make starts in the postseason, and that's it," he said. "How good would I have been? I have no idea. "I think I still could have tried to have gone out there and help this club. I had to make that decision, and I think I definitely wouldn't have been ready for Opening Day if I wouldn't have had it. I'm hoping to have a great spring training. I feel great and want to be as strong as all get-out for Opening Day."
