Hmm. Do we need two situational lefties (Franco, Gallo)? Brandon Duckworth completely sucks. I'm not sure you need to keep a guy like Carlos Hernandez on your 40 man roster, if he doesn't make the rotation out of spring training. Is Eric Bruntlett worth a roster space?
Im drooling at the potential we will have with this kid in the lineup. CF- Sanchez 2B- Burke 1B- Bagwell RF- Berkman 3B- Ensberg LF- Lane C- Ausmus SS- Everett P- Pitcher OR CF- Sanchez SS- Everett 1B- Bagwell RF- Berkman 3B- Ensberg LF- Lane 2B- Biggio C- Ausmus P- Pitcher Me likey.
From ESPN INSIDER WHO Alex Sanchez INTERESTED Astros Pirates Devil Rays Marlins THE SKINNY Mar. 17 - Alex Sanchez, who was released by the Tigers this week, has attracted interest from the Astros, Devil Rays and Pirates, ESPN's Jayson Stark reports. A source with knowledge of Sanchez's negotiations said Sanchez is leaning toward signing with Houston. According to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Juan Iglesias, Sanchez's agent, also has initiated contact with the Marlins. "The type of player he is, he would fit perfectly with that team," said Iglesias, adding that Sanchez would sign somewhere by week's end.
The fact that Jason Lane could be relegated to the bench in exchange for Alex Sanchez should drive Astros fans to tears.
I hope J. Lane proves me wrong, but I don't think he is a major contributor on the ML level. Especially defensively. Were Lane to start everyday, I envision .260, 15 dingers, 75 RBI. Woohoo.
Nothing Lane has done on the minor or ML level should lead you to those conclusions. He's a career .280/12/39 guy in only 232 ABs, which translated to .280/28/92 over a typical 550 AB season. Pretty decent numbers. And anyway, Sanchez wouldn't be taking PT away from Lane. To open the season right now we're looking at Lane, Biggio, and (fill in the blank) to start the year. When Berk gets healthy, I'm guessing it would be Sanchez or Biggio who becomes a spot starter / 4th OF.
It's not only those categories where Lane has put up decent numbers, as he also has a career 0.351 OBP and 0.526 SLG. Obviously 232 AB is not a significant sample size, but he's done nothing to prove that he couldn't produce at that level on a full-time basis. There's little doubt in my mind that Lane is infinitely better than Alex Sanchez. And if you really think that Garner wouldn't play Biggio over Lane, then why didn't he do so last season?
I don't think Biggio likes to play OF. He doesn't like being embarrassed out there, and his throwing arm even in LF is an embarrassment. Biggio is also a leadoff hitter, and we didn't have a suitable replacement in the lineup last season. Who was going to lead off for that team, Everett? Burke will be playing 2B this year, and he's a leadoff-type hitter. I'm not saying he'll be leading off opening day, but if he proves himself I see it as a possibility for him down the road. Sanchez isn't really what I'd look for in a leadoff guy, because he doesn't walk, but he's speedy and a good bunter, and hits for average, so I'd expect him to be a #1 or #2 hitter himself if he becomes a regular. If there's anything to be "concerned" about with Biggio stealing ABs, it's the possibility that Burke struggles out of the gate and Biggio becomes our everyday 2B. Biggio wants to play 2B again, and I wouldn't be surprised to see the job get handed to him again by Garner at some point.
I kept hearing last year that Biggio needed to be in the lineup for just the purpose you said - there were no other 'leadoff hitters' in the lineup. Here are some stats for 2 players last season, and you tell me which is a better leadoff hitter. Player 1 - OBP = 0.337, SLG = 0.469, 24 HR, 47 2B Player 2 - OBP =0.377, SLG = 0.465, 27 HR, 29 2B You probably figured it out, but Player 1 is Biggio and Player 2 is Bagwell. I'm not necessarily advocating batting Bagwell leadoff (although I think at this point in his career he would make a better 1 or 2 hitter than 3, 4, or 5), but am trying to make a case that Biggio is not really a prototypical 'leadoff hitter' at this point in his career. I am in full agreement with you (well, except for the Sanchez thing - he has a poor OBP and poor SB%, both of which are poison for a leadoff hitter). I think that Biggio is best suited at this point in being a utility player getting spot starts in the outfield and second base. He really wore down last season - after a tremendous first-half his numbers were pretty poor after the All-Star break. Not to mention the fact that he was statistically the worst defensive player in the NL at two different positions. I really feel the team would be doing a disservice to itself by benching either Lane or Burke if they struggle early, but I think that is a distinct possibility.
This is an interesting discussion. I'm coming from the position of "what will Garner do" more than a "what would I do as manager" standpoint. There's no way Garner would move Bags to leadoff, imo, although he does have a very solid OBP. Again, from Garner's standpoint: Biggio and Sanchez have some very similar numbers. Their OBP are nearly identical. Neither of them draw many walks. Sanchez has a career steals rate close to .700, so statistically I think his basestealing isn't poison, it's just a wash. Neither very helpful nor harmful. I think, with his speed, he's more likely to take the extra base or score from second on a shallow OF single than Biggio at this point in his career, but then again Biggio's power numbers are a benefit even leading off. I'm not saying I would lead off Sanchez, I'm saying that a manager (with any team) is likely to look at his tools and bat him 1st or 2nd. I'd like to see Biggio being a utility guy, but I'm not sure that it will happen. I do think he'll get more "rest" at whatever position he plays. Agreed, moreso for Burke though. I think he's less major-league tested, so more likely to struggle, and Garner might have the quick hook for the same reason. Plus, the lineup's looking to be at a loss for power this season with both Kent and Beltran gone, and Lane's 25-30 homers will be a needed commodity.
http://www.mlive.com/sports/statewide/index.ssf?/base/sports-1/1111144210255970.xml Sanchez cleared waivers Thursday and is now free to sign with any team. Houston, Pittsburgh and Tampa Bay have shown interest, with the Astros probably the most likely to sign him. . . . Asked what he needs to see from Monroe in center field, Trammell said: "I want him to catch the balls he can get to, and hit the cutoff man. I'm not asking him to be (as fast as) Nook Logan or Dewayne Wise or even Alexis Gomez. I expect him to be like a Jim Edmonds (who doesn't have great speed), and get good jumps and good reads. I just want him to be solid. I can live with that." . . . With Thursday's rainout, Jeremy Bonderman and Nate Robertson will each throw four innings tonight.
Biggio will refuse to be a utility player. He won't step aside for Lane, Burke, or anyone for that matter. He already said he wants to play a few more years. I really think Biggio is aiming for 3000 hits so he's guaranteed into the HOF. As of right now he is borderline and knows it. He's been casted into Bagwell's shadow for quite some time now. I honestly think he is looking out for #1 right now. If we try to make him come off the bench, i really think he would ask for a trade, and somebody will take him to play 2nd base. 2b is one of the hardest positions to fill. Then thre will be the backlash from the casual Astros fans that aren't really in the know. BTW: Yes, i am psychic!
Let me first say that I yearn for the days when players stayed with one team their whole careers.Also,I know Uncle Draytie loves the PR and the money that goes along w/ it.But,we should have dealt Bidge to an American League team as DH 2 years ago. We need speed and defense up the middle...period.In addition,Burke needs to play second.
Alex Sanchez was signed by Tampa Bay after Alomar and Danny Bautista retired. http://houston.astros.mlb.com/NASAp...id=971491&vkey=spt2005news&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb
I'm starting to think the Astros Organization doesn't even know what to do. It seems like they can't make up their minds over rebuilding with the young core we have or trying to rebuild while staying competitive, which is much harder if you won't trade your better veterans for young talent. We can only hope we picked a few gems in the late rounds of the last couple drafts.
