Also, Purpura said that he didn't project Zobrist to the majors as a SS but at 2B. With Burke being our future 2nd basemen Zobrist was expendable, and I don't think you will see Burke included in any future deals.
Great great pickup, especially considering how awful the trade market is going to be. We're getting a guy who's hit over .300 with around 30 homers for several years and excluding last year in which he had some injury issues, he has been very consistent. He has left handed power (something we really don't have) and he can play multiple positions. And all we gave up was Zoberist who has a good bat but can't field at all at SS. He'll have to be moved to 2nd base at some point but that couldn't happen with the Stros considering Burke has that spot locked up. Plus the guy is pretty old for a double A prospect (25 or 26?). Good job Purpura, now go find us some bullpen help.
how can some of yall say that this isnt a big upgrade? only a few years ago this guy was putting up 25 homers a year and batting .300. i think that playing for tampa gave him a huge lack of motivation. this is a gigantic step for the astros. now we actually have someone that can possibly hit 100 points better than lane. this guy has played 1st, 3rd, RF, and LF. could you ask for a better player for the astros?
Jose De Jesus Ortiz indicated in his article that Purpura seemed to insinuate that Huff will cut into Ensberg's time at 3rd. Revised lineup: CF-Bidge CF-Burke RF-Berkman 3B-Huff LF-Wilson 1B-Lamb C-Ausmus SS-Everett
Cool..I made the exact same trade in my MLB 06 season. Traded a AAA Shortstop for Huff midway through the season when Lane got injured. Excellent trade for a solid bat...
This is a great deal for the Astros. Huff is a proven major league hitter and he got him for minor league guys who won't contribute at the ML level for years, if ever. Zobrist wasn't a critical part of our system with a young Everett and drafting Tommy Manzella last year, who I watched play at Tulane. Manzella is a great baseball player who I think could make it in the majors with continued development.
Yeah, I see a Lane type of earlier demotion where Ensberg will see spots starts to see if he can work his way out of his slump.
and actually, the statement from purpura was that zobrist was being projected as a 2B, not a SS, at the major league level.
Totally agree as I mentioned in my earlier post. That's the great thing about this trade -- we might have already gotten the biggest bat available before the frenzy really begins. And I wouldn't be surprised if Soriano doesn't get dealt. I could see the Nats having too high an asking price.
my guess is that huff will play 3B against right-handers, with lamb at first, berkamn in RF. against lefties, they'll move lamb to the bench, berkman to 1st, huff to RF and ensberg will get his shot. but the ensberg countdown is officially on - he has 19 days to get his bat fixed, or the team needs to move up scott or pence or make a deal for a corner OFer stick and give up on ensberg's '06.
Garner really enjoys alternating lefties and righties in the batting order to prevent 'situational specialists' coming in and being able to mow down two hitters. Against righties, we are most likely going to see Lamb hit second behind Biggio, with a lineup like the one below. Garner has used burke in the 3 hole with Berkman cleaning up relatively successfully. 2B Biggio 1B Lamb CF Burke RF Berkman LF Wilson 3B Huff SS Everett C Ausmus P I'd assume on days where we face a lefty, Mo and Willy T will get some time.
I think a quality setup guy would do us wonders for the stretch run. But who knows, Nieve could end up being that guy. I'd like to start seeing more of Nieve and less of Wheeler. Qualls has been coming on strong (1 ER and 7 hits in his last 13 innings). I'd keep Lidge as the closer, but put him on a short leash. If he falters, give Nieve a shot, and let Lidge try to setup.
Hey, did y'all see this in the Chron article about the deal? http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/4041921.html Very interesting. Sounds like Willy T could also be available. That's not exactly a huge vote of confidence. I do have my doubts about Lane as a long term solution in our huge center field, though.
