What direction do you all think the Astros should go in this offseason? Obvious problems last season: 1) Less than 30 home runs from our corner outfield positions. 2) A pitching rotation that was never completely healthy after the first month of the season. 3) Virtually no team speed to speak of (other than Lugo and Hunter, niether of whom played more than 96 games). 4) Defensively, we probably could have been better with a true center fielder, but I personally think Berkman was adequate. Since the Astros officially fell out of contention, I have heard two rumors (not an "inside" source, this is somewhat speculative) involving the Astros aquiring either Mike Hampton or Roger Clemens. Now, both these guys make a lot of money and aren't exactly young (Clemens especially). Would we be better served trotting out a rotation of green 20-somethings and spending some money on some outfield defense, speed, and pop? My personal wish list includes aquiring a true centerfielder/leadoff hitter (I understand this is a pretty tall order... how 'bout Carl Crawford?) and possibly a power bat for the outfield. Although it would be nice meeting the Atlanta Braves in the first round of the playoffs next year and trotting out a three man rotation of Oswalt, Miller, and Hampton... yikes! I'd love to hear some feedback... peace out!
I still think a true centerfielder is the ideal addition -- although it's also probably the hardest to find. That solves your #1, #3, and #4 problems.
Our offseason plan: 1) Do not sign any free agent that makes 4+ million dollars/year 2) Sign a Blum/Merced kinda player 3) Blame the little offseason movement on the fact that the pieces are already in place for a championship 4) Watch all of our division rivals improve This is how its been lately, so I dont see any reason for it to change.
- A fast and "true" centerfielder who's got a good glove and can hit leadoff with a good OBP would definitely be nice, although getting such a player probably won't be easy. Berkman has done a great job at CF, making some spectacular catches, but still I'd prefer him playing LF or RF. - I wouldn't mind the Astros going after a good veteran starting pitcher...a solid #3 or #4 starter. I'd definitely want Hampton back, but he makes an awful lot of money...too much. - Improve the middle relief. - Keep Loretta, I like this guy. - Try to get rid of both Hidalgo and Ward. I am sick and tired of both of them. If it comes down to only dumping one, then get rid of Hidalgo. I'm starting to wonder if his 44-homer season was a fluke, and he showcased his "real" self in all of his other seasons. His glove work has consistently been solid, but that's not good enough for me to want the Astros to keep him. - Better protection behind Bagwell (i.e. a #5 hitter with power and solid RBI-producing ability). Preferably a 3rd baseman. Blum has played well, but I don't know if he's the long term answer at 3B. - Bagwell needs to get that shoulder healthy this offseason...
Moves I'd like to see the Astros make: 1) Resign Loretta. 2) Make offer to Jeff Kent...but nothing nutty. 3) Trade Hidalgo to Colorado for Hampton. 4) Trade Ward to Tampa for Randy Winn. 3 and 4 are assuming the other club is willing to make the deal...and the speculation is that they would be.
not many notable free agents this year but I would take a long hard look @ signing Jose Hernandez(brewers) , yes that Jose Hernandez. Strikeouts aside (all of them) he had the best numbers @ short this season in the NL. Unless Boston is really shopping Nomar this offseason, seems like a good acquisition.
Refman... I like your scenario better than any I've heard. The only thing I don't see happening is Colorado trading Hampton without getting a young pitcher in return. I hope I'm wrong though. Assuming all these things happen, who plays LF? I know we'll have Winn in center, Berkman in right. Do we put Jason Lane in left? Orlando Merced? Free agent? (I'd be happy with Merced... lefty, clutch hitter, can he do it all season?)
My understanding is that Colorado's GM would give his left testicle to get out of Hampy's contract right now (if we resign Loretta, we could throw in Lugo). I would think that getting the Colorado trade done would be the easiest part of my plan. I could be misinformed though If all fell into place my OF would be: LF: Berkman CF: Winn RF: Lane Rotation: Miller Oswalt Hampton Saarloos Hernandez / Munro
That, plus a healthy Bagwell, and no injuries to our pitching staff should be enough to stay competative with St. Louis. I want to keep Lugo, though... I love his speed and he made great strides in his defense this year.
I heard Roger Clemens name tossed on the radio since he gets 10 million from the Yanks whether he plays for them or not...If Clemens is willing to sign reasonably at 3 million or so, he gets to end his career at home, be closer to his "K" kids, and fulfill his secret desire to play here... He'd be behind Oswalt, Miller and I would go for this...
3 mill? Ha. Clemens will be offered at least 7-10 mill from the Yanks. I know that penny-pinching Drayton will offer Clemens a 1-year 1 mill contract though. THere is no way Clemens would sign for 3 mill, unless the George suddenly went cheap. Even then, there are probably 10 other teams who would offer Clemens at least 5 mill.
It just wouldn't be an Astros thread without kidrock finding some way to turn it into a Drayton McClane bashing thread. Thank you for contribution, kidrock.
Not going to happen. If the Astros resign Loretta (and it looks like it'll happen), either Lugo or Blum has to go. The most likely candidate would be Lugo.
You really think so? HA!!!! Clemens is DONE...everybody (including the Yankees) knows this. Any team that would offer him $7M at this stage of his career needs a new GM and FAST!!! Oh and thanks for the Drayton bashing. Good to see some things never change. (yawn)
in regards to Clemens, i've heard that he in no way is coming to houston b/c he's still pissed at the way Astro's management treated him a few years back...... so ix-nay that idea.
I like the idea of getting Randy Winn. I was a big fan of getting him during the trade deadline and my opinion of him has not changed. His final stats for the year: .298 BA 14 HR 75 RBI (Pretty damn good for a leadoff hitter on T.B.) 27 SB (Something we seriously lacked this year)
Start rebuiding now, otherwise it will get alot worse before it gets any better. This team should have been rebuilt 3 or 4 years ago that way we'd have gone into the new ballpark with a young dynamic team and now we'd have some young players to go with Berkman and the young pitchers. Biggio and Bagwell are crap.
Clemens gets 10 million dollars from the Yankees AND can become a free agent without giving up any of that money, therefore he is already starting out with 10 million. If he signs with any team for 3 million (as an example), he is effectively making 13 million for 2003.
