I'm pretty pumped about this season. Does anyone here think that this could be the year? (Though '98 hurt, that should have been the year. We won't go there...) I think the Astros have the best lineup in the league. Biggio has been solid in exhibition, and Bagwell and Alou should be their normal MVP-caliber selves. Hidalgo and Berkman could both take it to that level this year, and that could make this lineup devastating. I think that our offense is so good that we can sacrifice it in favor of defense. What I mean is that I am tired of watching Lugo trip over the bag, and would rather give Everett the chance. The 'Stros consider him amongst the top defensive infielders in baseball, but at this point it's mainly talk. Let's see what he can do. The main factor for this team will be pitching. Elarton should win 20, and Reynolds should return as a dependable #2. Bottenfield has been impressive thus far, but we'll see. Lima will not bounce back. I think Dotel could be the key to this starting rotation. As you all know, excellent stuff, but can he maintain control into the late innings and mature as a pitcher? (Speaking of pitching, one can only imagine what would be had we kept Freddy Garcia and John Halama. Oh well, that trade had to be made...) Thoughts? [This message has been edited by thacabbage (edited March 30, 2001).]
While I dont think it can be THE year, i definitely wouldnt be surprised if htey made it to the playoffs. They should at least be a very pleasant surprise. I am also really excited to continue to see the progression of the young guys. Miller is supposed to be really good, and if Oswalt has as good a minor league season this year as last, he'll definitely be called up. Even our trades are starting to look much better. Melusky is out and I said all along last year that the reason pitching was bad was because Melusky doesnt know how to call a game (probably the single most important skill a catcher can have). Did you catch them when it was their turn to be the Sportscenter highlight. Lima was saying how Ausmus has already forced Lima to make the right pitches and has written reminders on his cap. And now the Everett trade is looking better, as Carl is quite a hothead and man NL scouts say if Adam Everett was playing SS this year he'd be the best defensive shortstop in the NL. He'll either be called up or will have a permanent spot this time next year. So, while I dont think this could be their year, I will be dissapointed if they dont at least give the Cards and/or the WC spot a run for their money. BTW, Rob Neyer over at ESPN picks the Stros to win the series over the Indians I think. ------------------
Well, I think the Astros will definetely be better than last year, but I would be happy if they just won their division. It is true that their lineup will be a monster one (even if Biggio doesn't come back to previous form), but offense, by itself, rarely wins enough games for you to really compete (this has been proven time and time again... Rockies). And while I think that the Astros rotation and bullpen is much better than it played last year, certainly it is within the realm of possiblity that we could have another 2000 type blowup, with blown saves and poor 1-run game records. There are simply too many questions about our rotation. Can Reynolds come back from surgery? Can Elarton remain dominant and win even if he doesn't get the huge run support he received last year (second most in the league)? Can Lima get his head back in the game? Can Biggio restore offense and defense to the 2B position? Will Moises be able to stay healthy the whole season (or at least most of it)? Can Wagner get his physical and mental edge back after the surgery? Can Bottenfield really shore up the bottom of our rotation? These are serious questions, all of which could end up with the wrong answer at the drop of a hat... but overall, I think the Astros will work things out this year. Reynolds, while not ace material, will play decently, and win 14-16 games. Elarton, dropping off from last season, as batters adjust to his pitching, will have a similar record. Lima will continue to pitch horribly, giving up many yacks, and continue to merangue and talk to his glove despite Ausmus's insistence that he get off the damn mound. Moises will get injured, but not severely, so his production will be down a bit, but still amazing. Bagwell is Bagwell, 'nough said. Biggio will play great again, though not steal as many bases and not field as consistenly, due to slight loss of speed. Overall, it will be a tight race with the Cardinals for the top spot, but I think the Stros can do it. And the nice thing about this season is, if we make it to the playoffs, anything can happen, because there is no solid front runner, and it is anybody's game. Man, I think this was my longest post ever. I love talking about the Astros. ------------------ "Any event, once it has occurred, can be made to appear inevitable by a competent historian." Lee Simonson [This message has been edited by RunninRaven (edited March 31, 2001).]
These are all valid points, Running, but just for a moment, imagine if all of these questions fall in favor of the Astros? What if everything that went wrong last year goes right this year? The Cardinals wouldn't stand a chance. One more prediction: Hildalgo will have a better season than Bagwell. You watch, he's ready to take it to the next level. ------------------ Behad Sergeant at Arms of the Clutch BBS
Nothing would make me happier, Behad. Except maybe carrying that great performance into the postseason. It would be nice to see Bagwell and Biggio get that playoffs curse monkey off their backs. ------------------ "Any event, once it has occurred, can be made to appear inevitable by a competent historian." Lee Simonson [This message has been edited by RunninRaven (edited March 31, 2001).]
True, true. Let's get there first, and then kill that damn monkey! ------------------ Behad Sergeant at Arms of the Clutch BBS
The Astros have a great offense. I hope that our pitching and defense will be better this year. I know it might be wrong to say, but would any here like to see the Astros trade Bagwell for some young pitching talent. I think Berkman is well capable of playing first base. ------------------ I am an invisible man.
Blasphemy! Besides, the Astros farm system has a number of young arms on the way. Oswalt and McKnight will be ready soon, and Carlos Hernandez is gonna be a great pitcher. Combined with Wade Miller and Scott Elarton, the 'Stros will be loaded with young starting pitchers. Also, if you want to do that, then why not put Daryle Ward on first to get his bat in the lineup? Trade Bagwell? Not gonna happen! ------------------ Behad Sergeant at Arms of the Clutch BBS [This message has been edited by Behad (edited March 31, 2001).]
Well, you could really put either one. If we traded bagwell and put berkman at first, someone would have to play in the outfield. I guess it would make more sense to put ward at first since his defense in the outfield is not that good. Also, behad, remember that the astros were thinking of trading bagwell at the winter meetings. IMO, the astros are in a rebuilding mode not a reloading mode. They have some great young talent in just about every area of the game. If they pull the trigger on the right bagwell trade, then, I think they could well be in the playoffs for years to come. On a side note, I really dislike Enron, anyone else feel the same? A pitcher's nightmare. ------------------ I am an invisible man.
For those of you interested, Doug Brocail is going to begin the season on the DL. Not one of the best things to hear about an already uncertain bullpen. ------------------
If they wanted to trade Bagwell they wouldn't have extended his contract. He's here for the rest of his career unless he wants out. ------------------ Houston's Schedule: (39-33) @Was, @NJN, Dal, Sea, Atl, @Uth, Den, @Por, @Van, Min Minnesota's Schedule: (42-30) @Por, Por, Pho, LaL, @Van, @LaL, @LaC, Uth, @Hou, @Dal We're not mathematically elimated yet.
Bagwell is more than just a powerful bat an above average fielder at his position and a smart base-runner. He's also a clubhouse leader. Consider Carl Everett, he's acted up everywhere he's been . . . except here. You can't replace that kind of presence. And the Astros system is loaded at the pitcher position. In addition to talent like Oswalt, Miller, McKnight you have young guys like Wilfredo Rodriguez who has some serious heat. The Astros had a bunch of things go wrong that can't go wrong again this year, including an abysmal record in 1-run games. This edition of the Astros will be a lot better than last year. ------------------ Founder and President of the Houston Homers Club(HHC) - Are you a homer? Join now! The Rockets will be NBA champions. Believe.
I love Enron. First, the dimensions aside, it is a fantastic place to watch a ball game. The feel is great, the grass is beautiful, the roof moves wonderfully, and on a nice spring day it feels like REAL baseball, not the covered dome crap. Secondly, wait until we get good before judgin the field on a pitchers vs. hitters park. Obviously it is better for the hitters, but check out the Astros road ERA last year. I actually think it was slightly worse than their home one. They were just not a good pitching team. Also, why is a hitters park bad. Who says you cant win in a hitters park. The Giants won their division and its onyl 309 to right field, with a small wall as well. Imagine the Astros in the playoffs at Enron. That place woudl be rocking, and with the roof open on a nice October evening it owuld be just fantastic. Was it the ballpark you didnt like or the team? ------------------
RunninRavin, Biggio will steal as many bases as he has in the past. The Astros have been amazed at his recovery, and they seem to think that his speed is as good now as it has ever been. On a side note, look out for Lance Berkman this year. He will be a monster, trust me. ------------------ I am an invisible man.
Actually JayZ, Neyer picked the Astros to win the World Series over the Yankees. I can't wait for the season to get underway ------------------
That is good to hear, kbm. I knew that Biggio was doing well in his recovery, but I didn't know that he had gained all his speed back. We really need his base running. It would be nice if Bagwell could get back to his thieving ways as well, he didn't steal nearly as many bases last season as he did the season before. I hope you are right about Berkman, kbm. If you are, and Hidalgo plays as well as he is capable of playing, and Alou stays healthy, we will have an outfield that will rival anyone else's in offensive firepower... it will be a hell of a thing to behold. ------------------ "Any event, once it has occurred, can be made to appear inevitable by a competent historian." Lee Simonson
Hmmm....I found this interesting.... http://www.astrosdaily.com/column/chron.com *cough* ------------------
Yeah. Bagwell should be traded to the Sox for a couple of our young arms. ------------------ The next time I have meat and mashed potatoes, I think I'll put a very large blob of potatoes on my plate with just a little piece of meat. And if someone asks me why i didn't get more meat, ill just say, "Oh, you mean this?" and pull out a big piece of meat from inside the blob of potatoes, where ive hidden it. Good magic trick, huh?
Its a shame the Sox don't have any young arms, or bats for that matter. ------------------ Founder and President of the Houston Homers Club(HHC) - Are you a homer? Join now! The Rockets will be NBA champions. Believe.
I don't think the Astros have the staff to make it into the playoffs this year. Our best days are ahead of us, and we have the brightest prospects of any NL team. Keith Ginter and Adam Everett are just about ready to be our regular 2B and SS, respectively. Daryle Ward will take Alou's spot in LF next year. Oswalt, Wade Miller and Wilfredo Rodriguez will be great pitchers, and Elarton will continue to improve. Berkman will emerge as a star and Hidalgo is one of the best outfielders in the NL. Things are definitely looking bright. ------------------ "Oh No..." -Bill Walton in 97 just before Stockton's buzzer beater
