Holy Hannah. So the big news of the afternoon is that, yes, J.D. Martinez, Jimmy Paredes, and Trevor Crowe have been called up to Houston and will be in uniform for tomorrow night's game against the Angels. But in order to clear room for those two, the Astros have designated Rick Ankiel and Fernando Martinez for assignment and optioned Brandon Laird back to Oklahoma City.
Amazingly, Phil Humber has survived this afternoon's news. And it's also a good indication that the Astros are riding with Robbie Grossman in the outfield.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
This is the AL. This is goon ball. -Paul Clemens
The Astros, they're like Disneyland. If the kids come, it's a great attraction.
-Scott Boras
Let The Possum Loose - Astros County
8 comments:
You have to be kidding. Yeah, I'm perfectly fine with the moves being made. But who in their right mind would opt to give Humber another start? At this point it's just embarrassing and gives the appearance of a team tanking intentionally.
OKC now has 2 outfielders on their roster, could we be seeing springer promoted tomorrow? Or austin wates?
Regarding Humber, if Luhnow thinks its too early for Cosart, or possibly Wojo, which I can totally understand, what real choices does he have? Assuming Kuechel takes Bedard's spot, I suppose Clemens or Cisnero could be thrown out there, but they would most likely be exposed as middling talents (which Luhnow probably knows). So, while Humber is lousy, it's not like there are a lot of options.
It doesn't matter if the alternatives to Humber are few in number and middling in talent. No one expects the Astros to win this year, but continuing to run a guy out there who is pretty much a guaranteed loss is insulting to everyone involved.
Would rather look a bit daft with Humber than ruin a potentially good talent by blooding them too early.
Humber's first 3 stars were tough luck...he was pitching pretty well with no run support. Recently, though, has been a far different story...
That's some specious reasoning Rob. It isn't as if the the only options are A. Start Humber or B. Rush prospect. We already have several guys up who can take his rotational slot. Just give the his spot to Clemens or Cisnero. I know they may tank also but you really have to try doing something.
Clemens (25 and 20 MLB IP)and Cisnero (24 & 11 MLB IP) are prospects and pushing them into a starting role at the moment is a poor decision for their overall development as MLB pitchers. Letting Humber get knocked around has little future consequence for the Astros. Letting Clemens and Cisnero get beat up in their first Major League action could have disastrous consequences. They might not be "elite" prospects but I think the management is doing a good job of trying to protect the younger pitchers and survive the current situation as best they can.
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