Dave Dalati says the market for the Astros is pretty dadgum slim as of now, and notes a surprising bit of information:
Of course no one expected the Astros to get purchased only a month after going on the market. But what is mildly surprising is that no local individual or group has even displayed serious interest yet.
Furthermore:
No local person among those that have the wherewithal to make such a purchase has emerged as seriously interested, although it’s possible someone is considering making a pitch to buy the team. A couple of years ago, Jim Crane of Houston was involved in serious negotiations with McLane to buy the team but those talks deteriorated late in the process.
Whether Crane would make another run now is unclear.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Minor-league signings!
Brian McTaggart says that the Astros have signed IF Brian Dopirak and RHP Sammy Gervacio to minor-league contracts with invitations to Major-League Spring Training.
Dopirak will be 27 next week, and was the Cubs' 2nd Round pick in 2002. He was in Triple-A Las Vegas in part of 2009 and all of 2010, hitting .296/.331/.476 in 138 games at Triple-A.
Over the course of nine minor-league seasons, Dopirak has hit .280/.336/.484, with 770K:271BB, 371 extra-base hits, and 596 RBI.
He's a first-baseman, which is interesting, as he'll either be IF6 or in Triple-A (or cut, I suppose). And isn't Koby going to be at Triple-A? Or Brett Wallace? Still, it doesn't hurt anything to give him a shot, and see if he can replicate his 25+ HR power (as he has done in three seasons, most recently in 2009 between AA-AAA).
And you know all about Slammin' Sammy Gervacio.
Dopirak will be 27 next week, and was the Cubs' 2nd Round pick in 2002. He was in Triple-A Las Vegas in part of 2009 and all of 2010, hitting .296/.331/.476 in 138 games at Triple-A.
Over the course of nine minor-league seasons, Dopirak has hit .280/.336/.484, with 770K:271BB, 371 extra-base hits, and 596 RBI.
He's a first-baseman, which is interesting, as he'll either be IF6 or in Triple-A (or cut, I suppose). And isn't Koby going to be at Triple-A? Or Brett Wallace? Still, it doesn't hurt anything to give him a shot, and see if he can replicate his 25+ HR power (as he has done in three seasons, most recently in 2009 between AA-AAA).
And you know all about Slammin' Sammy Gervacio.
Big Sale at Minute Maid Park today
So if you find yourselves downtown today, head on over to Minute Maid, where there will be a big sale, including:
*Up to 60% off selected game-used caps, game jerseys and batting practice jerseys
*40% off game jackets
*50% off 2010 game-used baseballs
*40% off 2010 game-used bases
*New and game-used bats
*Limited supply of rare, 1986 game-worn Astros jerseys, with All-Star Game patch
*Large selection of discounted specialty items and collectibles priced at 50 cents and up.
Also, 10% off the Astros' franchise!
*Up to 60% off selected game-used caps, game jerseys and batting practice jerseys
*40% off game jackets
*50% off 2010 game-used baseballs
*40% off 2010 game-used bases
*New and game-used bats
*Limited supply of rare, 1986 game-worn Astros jerseys, with All-Star Game patch
*Large selection of discounted specialty items and collectibles priced at 50 cents and up.
Also, 10% off the Astros' franchise!
This Lance Pendleton fella is some kind of excited
So McTaggart interviewed Lance Pendleton and found a firecracker's worth of energy.
Pendleton, who even traveled to Chicago for the World Series in 2005 (but was not slapped by a White Sox fan):
"I've been a big Houston Astros fan for as long as I can remember. I'd be lying to you, having been in the Yankees' organization, if I said I had followed them nearly as much as I used to. But I'm ready to support them now, if that's all right."
Pendleton, who even traveled to Chicago for the World Series in 2005 (but was not slapped by a White Sox fan):
"I've been a big Houston Astros fan for as long as I can remember. I'd be lying to you, having been in the Yankees' organization, if I said I had followed them nearly as much as I used to. But I'm ready to support them now, if that's all right."
Wade apparently happy with bullpen
Brian McTaggart says Ed Wade is quite pleased with how the bullpen is shaping up.
Wade:
"You can never have enough arms, but we realize as we sit here now that if we had to go to Spring Training and start it up tomorrow, we've got the components in place to be able to put a good bullpen together."
Who will close?
"That's the beauty of where we are. We had two guys last year who had 20 or more saves and we've got Wilton, who we think has closer capability. I think we go into Spring Training in the same mindset we had a year ago before Lyon fell behind because of having the cyst aspirated in his shoulder.
"If you've got more than one guy with the ability to go out there and handle the job, you can mix and match, use the hot hand or use it in a matchup situation, depending on the hitters coming up in the ninth or which pitcher had success against those hitters. Hopefully, everybody is healthy and competing and they show they have the capability and deserve to get the ball at the back end of games."
Wade:
"You can never have enough arms, but we realize as we sit here now that if we had to go to Spring Training and start it up tomorrow, we've got the components in place to be able to put a good bullpen together."
Who will close?
"That's the beauty of where we are. We had two guys last year who had 20 or more saves and we've got Wilton, who we think has closer capability. I think we go into Spring Training in the same mindset we had a year ago before Lyon fell behind because of having the cyst aspirated in his shoulder.
"If you've got more than one guy with the ability to go out there and handle the job, you can mix and match, use the hot hand or use it in a matchup situation, depending on the hitters coming up in the ninth or which pitcher had success against those hitters. Hopefully, everybody is healthy and competing and they show they have the capability and deserve to get the ball at the back end of games."
Baseball Prospectus runs down Eddie's Farm
Them There Crawfish Boxes had the link first, but Baseball Prospectus gave a little recap as to the state of Eddie's Farm. There's far too much to pull from, so just go ahead and give it a click for full info.
That said, here are the Astros' top 10 prospects, according to BP:
1. Jordan Lyles, RHP
2. Delino DeShields Jr., 2B/OF
3. Mike Foltynewicz, RHP
4. Ariel Ovando, OF
5. Jonathan Villar, SS
6. Jimmy Paredes, 2B
7. Tannuer Bushue, RHP
8. J.D. Martinez, OF
9. Mike Kvasnicka, 3B/OF/C
10. Jiovanni Mier, SS
And your money quote, from author Kevin Goldstein:
A combination of bad contracts, little young talent, and a poor minor-league system leaves the Astros with a big hole to dig out of. They're getting better slowly, but a return to contention is still years away, and anything but guaranteed.
That said, here are the Astros' top 10 prospects, according to BP:
1. Jordan Lyles, RHP
2. Delino DeShields Jr., 2B/OF
3. Mike Foltynewicz, RHP
4. Ariel Ovando, OF
5. Jonathan Villar, SS
6. Jimmy Paredes, 2B
7. Tannuer Bushue, RHP
8. J.D. Martinez, OF
9. Mike Kvasnicka, 3B/OF/C
10. Jiovanni Mier, SS
And your money quote, from author Kevin Goldstein:
A combination of bad contracts, little young talent, and a poor minor-league system leaves the Astros with a big hole to dig out of. They're getting better slowly, but a return to contention is still years away, and anything but guaranteed.
Sunday, December 12, 2010
Koby still = Brandon Inge
Nick Cafardo's Sunday column gives a little update on Koby Clemens:
Nobody took him in the Rule 5 draft, but that wasn’t surprising. The 24-year-old Clemens hit 26 homers and knocked in 85 runs while hitting .241 at Double A, but he struck out 143 times in 452 at-bats. Astros manager Brad Mills raved about him, though. “I saw him hit a home run through this incredibly stiff wind during an intrasquad game at spring training last year,’’ Mills said. “He’s got power.’’ Clemens played first base last season for the first time after being used as catcher/third baseman. The Astros still believe he can be a Brandon Inge type of player and he will get to play at Triple A in 2011.
And on Matt Lindstrom:
Another reliever who could be traded this winter. Lindstrom had a good first half but exploded in the second half. The Astros would love to dump his salary, which was $1.65 million last season and will rise in arbitration. Lindstrom was Houston’s closer, but another team could use him in middle relief.
Nobody took him in the Rule 5 draft, but that wasn’t surprising. The 24-year-old Clemens hit 26 homers and knocked in 85 runs while hitting .241 at Double A, but he struck out 143 times in 452 at-bats. Astros manager Brad Mills raved about him, though. “I saw him hit a home run through this incredibly stiff wind during an intrasquad game at spring training last year,’’ Mills said. “He’s got power.’’ Clemens played first base last season for the first time after being used as catcher/third baseman. The Astros still believe he can be a Brandon Inge type of player and he will get to play at Triple A in 2011.
And on Matt Lindstrom:
Another reliever who could be traded this winter. Lindstrom had a good first half but exploded in the second half. The Astros would love to dump his salary, which was $1.65 million last season and will rise in arbitration. Lindstrom was Houston’s closer, but another team could use him in middle relief.
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Astros re-sign Abreu and Peguero
Baseball America says the Astros have re-signed Erick Abreu and Jailen Peguero to minor-league deals.
Friday, December 10, 2010
Pellegrini will be ready for Spring Training
And Brian Pellegrini's surgery went well, but he'll be out longer than he expected, yet still plans to be ready for Spring Training.
Brian Pellegrini to have surgery this morning
Slugger Brian Pellegrini told everyone last night on Twitter that he would be in surgery this morning to clean out his knee, and added that it's "nothing too serious."
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Houston getting some love for the Aneury pick
(First of all, I love the guy's name. Aneury. It sounds like it's going to be terrible, but then it stops short. It's a fear-inducing name. Like Syphil. Or Gonorrh.)
Call to the Pen loves the pick:
He’s a big strike-thrower with low-to-mid-90’s heat and solid offspeed stuff–the sort of guy who should be somewhere between a third and fifth starter. With well over 100 Triple-A innings, he’s pretty much big-league ready, and the Astros could always use young talent–it’s a match made in heaven, no?
I have to say, I criticize the majority of Houston’s moves, but this one is extremely good. Rodriguez can be a back-of-the-rotation starter or solid middle reliever this season, so unlike most Rule 5 picks, he won’t be a strain on the roster. Furthermore, he has the potential to wind up being a rotation rock for the next half-decade. Well done indeed.
Call to the Pen loves the pick:
He’s a big strike-thrower with low-to-mid-90’s heat and solid offspeed stuff–the sort of guy who should be somewhere between a third and fifth starter. With well over 100 Triple-A innings, he’s pretty much big-league ready, and the Astros could always use young talent–it’s a match made in heaven, no?
I have to say, I criticize the majority of Houston’s moves, but this one is extremely good. Rodriguez can be a back-of-the-rotation starter or solid middle reliever this season, so unlike most Rule 5 picks, he won’t be a strain on the roster. Furthermore, he has the potential to wind up being a rotation rock for the next half-decade. Well done indeed.
What other people think about these two gentlemen
Aneury Rodriguez
RaysProspects.com (January 2010):
He doesn't have great stuff, but it's good enough: A low-90s fastball with a slider and change-up, but the change-up lags behind the other two in terms of development. At a slender 6'3", Rodriguez could add a little bit to his fastball as he continues to develop.
DRaysBay (April 2009):
In three seasons, Rodriguez has shown the ability to strike hitters out while avoiding walks and homeruns. FIPs of 3.15, 3.86, and 3.38. He seems like a quality pitcher...
Tracy Ringolsby (quoting Baseball America, November 2010):
“Rodriguez might be the most likely player to get picked, as he has the combination of success at upper levels, the possibility of upside and age on his side. Rodriguez pitched for Triple-A Durham at age 22 this season and was for several stretches the Bulls’ No. 2 starter after Minor League Player of the Year Jeremy Hellickson."
Lance Pendleton
Pinstriped Bible (Today):
He acquitted himself well at pitching-friendly Trenton, and has a nice low-90s sinker, but there’s not much else going on there and his strikeout rate plummeted while his home-run rake spiked in his brief stint at Triple-A to end the season. The Astros are a bad team, but unless they see potential for Pendleton in relief, he seems unlikely to stick.
RaysProspects.com (January 2010):
He doesn't have great stuff, but it's good enough: A low-90s fastball with a slider and change-up, but the change-up lags behind the other two in terms of development. At a slender 6'3", Rodriguez could add a little bit to his fastball as he continues to develop.
DRaysBay (April 2009):
In three seasons, Rodriguez has shown the ability to strike hitters out while avoiding walks and homeruns. FIPs of 3.15, 3.86, and 3.38. He seems like a quality pitcher...
Tracy Ringolsby (quoting Baseball America, November 2010):
“Rodriguez might be the most likely player to get picked, as he has the combination of success at upper levels, the possibility of upside and age on his side. Rodriguez pitched for Triple-A Durham at age 22 this season and was for several stretches the Bulls’ No. 2 starter after Minor League Player of the Year Jeremy Hellickson."
Lance Pendleton
Pinstriped Bible (Today):
He acquitted himself well at pitching-friendly Trenton, and has a nice low-90s sinker, but there’s not much else going on there and his strikeout rate plummeted while his home-run rake spiked in his brief stint at Triple-A to end the season. The Astros are a bad team, but unless they see potential for Pendleton in relief, he seems unlikely to stick.
Jonathan Mayo on Aneury Rodriguez
Here's a nice recap of why the Astros took Tampa Bay's Aneury Rodriguez in today's Rule 5 draft:
At the start of the Winter Meetings, it was the Rays' Rodriguez who was talked about the most as a player sure to be taken. Houston took him right after the Nationals picked, at No. 8, and like Ramirez, the soon-to-be 23-year-old improved his stock in winter ball. Rodriguez has a 1.22 ERA and .193 opponents' batting average in seven Dominican League starts. Unlike Ramirez, though, Rodriguez spent most of the year at Triple-A and had some success there (3.80 ERA in 113 2/3 innings), so Houston believes he's ready to compete at the Major League level.
Ed Wade:
"Being able to get these two guys provides us with depth of competition for a starting role in Spring Training, and we'll see where it goes from there. It's good to add some quality [talent] to the organization, and we understand what the Rule 5 process is and are satisfied with the way it went."
At the start of the Winter Meetings, it was the Rays' Rodriguez who was talked about the most as a player sure to be taken. Houston took him right after the Nationals picked, at No. 8, and like Ramirez, the soon-to-be 23-year-old improved his stock in winter ball. Rodriguez has a 1.22 ERA and .193 opponents' batting average in seven Dominican League starts. Unlike Ramirez, though, Rodriguez spent most of the year at Triple-A and had some success there (3.80 ERA in 113 2/3 innings), so Houston believes he's ready to compete at the Major League level.
Ed Wade:
"Being able to get these two guys provides us with depth of competition for a starting role in Spring Training, and we'll see where it goes from there. It's good to add some quality [talent] to the organization, and we understand what the Rule 5 process is and are satisfied with the way it went."
Astros sign Ryan Rowland-Smith
So the Astros have agreed to terms (pending a physical) with another pitcher - this one likely figuring into the SP5 mix, 27 year-old Ryan Rowland-Smith. Rowland-Smith is a lefty, 6'3", and 205lb from Sydney, Australia. We are working to confirm that, because he's from the southern hemisphere, his pitches actually spin the other way.
In 10 minor-league seasons, Rowland-Smith is 33-30 with a 3.84 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, and a career 2.71 K:BB ratio, with 8.9 hits/9, 8.7 K/9, and 3.2 BB/9.
In 27 games with the Mariners in 2010, Rowland-Smith was 1-10 with a 6.75 ERA/1.69 WHIP, 1.11 K:BB, 11.6 H/9, 4.0 K/9, and 3.6 BB/9.
His numbers took a hit in July, when in six starts (31.1IP), he gave up 45H/30ER, 10K:10BB, 8HR, and a .331/.610/.993. Unfortunately, this came with a .311 BABIP - not terribly inflated. This is all also inflated by a 5IP, 11H/11ER performance at Chicago on July 27.
In five September appearances (four of them in relief), Rowland-Smith allowed 12H/6ER in 11IP for a more handsome 4.91 ERA, and a .279/.340/.558 (.323 BABIP).
He'll compete for the SP5 spot with Figueroa, Lyles, Abad, and Villar.
In 10 minor-league seasons, Rowland-Smith is 33-30 with a 3.84 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, and a career 2.71 K:BB ratio, with 8.9 hits/9, 8.7 K/9, and 3.2 BB/9.
In 27 games with the Mariners in 2010, Rowland-Smith was 1-10 with a 6.75 ERA/1.69 WHIP, 1.11 K:BB, 11.6 H/9, 4.0 K/9, and 3.6 BB/9.
His numbers took a hit in July, when in six starts (31.1IP), he gave up 45H/30ER, 10K:10BB, 8HR, and a .331/.610/.993. Unfortunately, this came with a .311 BABIP - not terribly inflated. This is all also inflated by a 5IP, 11H/11ER performance at Chicago on July 27.
In five September appearances (four of them in relief), Rowland-Smith allowed 12H/6ER in 11IP for a more handsome 4.91 ERA, and a .279/.340/.558 (.323 BABIP).
He'll compete for the SP5 spot with Figueroa, Lyles, Abad, and Villar.
Rule 5 pick!
Zach Levine just tweeted that the Astros have selected Aneury Rodriguez and Lance Pendleton in the Rule 5 draft, and didn't have anyone selected by another team in the MLB portion of the Draft.
-RHP Aneury Rodriguez will be 23 next week, and comes from the Rays organization. In 2010, he split time between Double-A and Triple-A (mostly in Triple-A), posting a 7-5 record, with a 3.71 ERA/1.33 WHIP (6-5, 3.80/1.35 in AAA). Peripherals: 1.96 K:BB ratio, 8.2 H/9, 7.4 K/9, and 3.9 BB/9.
-RHP Lance Pendleton is 27, and comes out of Kingwood, TX. He was the Yankees 4th Round pick in 2005, and also aplit tome between Double-A and Triple-A for the Yankees in 2010 (mostly, though, in Double-A Trenton). Over the course of 2010, Pendleton was 12-5 with a 3.61 ERA/1.17 WHIP. Peripherals: 2.33 K:BB, 7.2 H/9, 7.7 K/9, and 3.3 BB/9.
-In the Triple-A phase of the Rule 5 draft, the Astros lost Jeiler Castillo to the A's. Castillo finished 2010 in Tri-City, but spent most of the season in Greeneville.
-RHP Aneury Rodriguez will be 23 next week, and comes from the Rays organization. In 2010, he split time between Double-A and Triple-A (mostly in Triple-A), posting a 7-5 record, with a 3.71 ERA/1.33 WHIP (6-5, 3.80/1.35 in AAA). Peripherals: 1.96 K:BB ratio, 8.2 H/9, 7.4 K/9, and 3.9 BB/9.
-RHP Lance Pendleton is 27, and comes out of Kingwood, TX. He was the Yankees 4th Round pick in 2005, and also aplit tome between Double-A and Triple-A for the Yankees in 2010 (mostly, though, in Double-A Trenton). Over the course of 2010, Pendleton was 12-5 with a 3.61 ERA/1.17 WHIP. Peripherals: 2.33 K:BB, 7.2 H/9, 7.7 K/9, and 3.3 BB/9.
-In the Triple-A phase of the Rule 5 draft, the Astros lost Jeiler Castillo to the A's. Castillo finished 2010 in Tri-City, but spent most of the season in Greeneville.
Eddie's Farm Moves
The Astros have filled some spots open in Eddie's Farm:
-Stubby Clapp. Moved from Corpus' hitting coach to Minor League Roving Infield Instructor/Tri-City manager
-John Moses. Leaves as hitting coach for Triple-A Albuquerque for hitting coach at Corpus
-Tom Spencer. Manager at Lancaster, last managed in 2009 in St. Louis' organization.
-Edgar Alfonzo (not to be confused with his brother, Edgardo), to be hitting coach in GCL Astros.
-Stubby Clapp. Moved from Corpus' hitting coach to Minor League Roving Infield Instructor/Tri-City manager
-John Moses. Leaves as hitting coach for Triple-A Albuquerque for hitting coach at Corpus
-Tom Spencer. Manager at Lancaster, last managed in 2009 in St. Louis' organization.
-Edgar Alfonzo (not to be confused with his brother, Edgardo), to be hitting coach in GCL Astros.
Wednesday, December 8, 2010
Really? 20-25 conversations?
So it's being reported that Drayton has had 20-25 conversations regarding selling the Astros. But "just conversations."
One of those conversations may or may not have been with Stan Kasten.
It's also unclear if 24 conversations were with one guy who just keeps calling to ask, "What's up?"
Interestingly enough Kasten doesn't sound terribly interested.
One of those conversations may or may not have been with Stan Kasten.
It's also unclear if 24 conversations were with one guy who just keeps calling to ask, "What's up?"
Interestingly enough Kasten doesn't sound terribly interested.
Brad Arnsberg knows how to work some magic
In Zach Levine's blog post last night we read that the Astros will try to exhaust their options for SP5 before looking elsewhere. Maybe.
Wade, speaking on behalf of Brad Arnsberg, said that Arnsberg can get a pitcher ready to start over the course of one Spring Training.
Within that link, Levine breaks down the chances of Figueroa, Lyles, Abad, and Villar of becoming that SP5.
Wade, speaking on behalf of Brad Arnsberg, said that Arnsberg can get a pitcher ready to start over the course of one Spring Training.
Within that link, Levine breaks down the chances of Figueroa, Lyles, Abad, and Villar of becoming that SP5.
Tuesdays Rumored Rumors
The flu knocked He Who Was In Charge of the Updates down yesterday, and today is a little iffy, but let's go through the rumors and topics of the day for Day Two of the Winter Meetings:
Somehow, the Astros were interested in Ty Wigginton, before he mercifully signed with Colorado.
Wandy Rodriguez changed agents, from Barry Praver to Adam Katz. Adam Katz also represents Carlos Lee.
The Astros are interested in Jack Cust, as are the Mariners.
Ed Wade confirmed they have been active in trade talks, but that's as far as it went:
“We’ve exchanged some trade proposals with teams today and we were prepared to move forward if they were embraced, and they weren’t.”
One possible area the Astros could upgrade at 2B is with former Brewer/Red Sock(x) Bill Hall, and had conversations with Hall's agent.
The Astros are interested in Ryan Rowland-Smith.
Expect the Astros to be active in tomorrow's Rule 5 draft.
Somehow, the Astros were interested in Ty Wigginton, before he mercifully signed with Colorado.
Wandy Rodriguez changed agents, from Barry Praver to Adam Katz. Adam Katz also represents Carlos Lee.
The Astros are interested in Jack Cust, as are the Mariners.
Ed Wade confirmed they have been active in trade talks, but that's as far as it went:
“We’ve exchanged some trade proposals with teams today and we were prepared to move forward if they were embraced, and they weren’t.”
One possible area the Astros could upgrade at 2B is with former Brewer/Red Sock(x) Bill Hall, and had conversations with Hall's agent.
The Astros are interested in Ryan Rowland-Smith.
Expect the Astros to be active in tomorrow's Rule 5 draft.
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
McTaggart: The longer this goes on, the less likely the deals
A note from McTaggart:
The longer the Winter Meetings drag on, the less convinced I am the Astros will make any deals. Sure, that's an easy assessment to make, but based on conversations with some in the organization, I feel there's a decent chance Brian Bogusevic will be the club's left fielder in a platoon situation with Jason Michaels in the event Carlos Lee is at first base.
The longer the Winter Meetings drag on, the less convinced I am the Astros will make any deals. Sure, that's an easy assessment to make, but based on conversations with some in the organization, I feel there's a decent chance Brian Bogusevic will be the club's left fielder in a platoon situation with Jason Michaels in the event Carlos Lee is at first base.
Monday, December 6, 2010
The Rockies could be interested in Lindstrom
The Denver Post's Troy E. Renck just posted that the Rockies would have interest in Lindstrom, but aren't sure if there's a match in a trade.
How about Felipe Paulino?
How about Felipe Paulino?
Hey-oh!
Brian McTaggart says the Astros have been asked about Bourn, Pence, and Wandy.
Zach Levine tweets (about the same time) a quote from Ed Wade:
"Generally speaking, we're going to be very, very, very reluctant to talk about the young players in our system."
Zach Levine tweets (about the same time) a quote from Ed Wade:
"Generally speaking, we're going to be very, very, very reluctant to talk about the young players in our system."
Add Matt Diaz to the list of corner outfielders the Astros are interested in
With a captip to MLBTR, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution adds the Astros to the list of teams interested in Matt Diaz.
Crasnick: Astros think Wallace will get to see what Bricktown is all about
According to Jerry Crasnick the Astros think Brett Wallace may need to start 2011 in Oklahoma City:
"He's a big league player," said a Houston person. But he hit .222 last year
"He's a big league player," said a Houston person. But he hit .222 last year
Keppinger and Lindstrom are available, if anyone wants them
According to a front office source, FanHouse's Ed Price says the Astros are making Keppinger and Lindstrom available in an effort to further cut payroll.
McTaggart says payroll will be around $70 million, down from over $90 million last year. Why is it being trimmed further? According to Price, because of the impending sale of the franchise.
Yeah, the $4-5 million that Lindstrom and Keppinger will make combined is the problem with the payroll...
UPDATE: There may be a better reason out there. As AstroBrit and 77340fan have pointed out, coming on the heels of the "Astros interested in Hardy" note, dealing Keppinger could move Barmes to second, and sign Hardy. Excellent point. One to keep an eye on...
McTaggart says payroll will be around $70 million, down from over $90 million last year. Why is it being trimmed further? According to Price, because of the impending sale of the franchise.
Yeah, the $4-5 million that Lindstrom and Keppinger will make combined is the problem with the payroll...
UPDATE: There may be a better reason out there. As AstroBrit and 77340fan have pointed out, coming on the heels of the "Astros interested in Hardy" note, dealing Keppinger could move Barmes to second, and sign Hardy. Excellent point. One to keep an eye on...
Astros interested in J.J. Hardy
The Astros are apparently one of six teams interested in Twins shortstop J.J. Hardy, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune.
Not so sure about the validity of this, given that whole Clint Barmes thing, and all...
Not so sure about the validity of this, given that whole Clint Barmes thing, and all...
The Cardinals' lineup with Berkman
Tony LaRussa addressed the lineup yesterday, and just where Berkman would hit.
LaRussa:
"I believe he fits you best in the middle. I really believe we just got deeper in the middle of our order. You talk about a track record hitter in the middle and he's got it. I'd put him in the top five or six in the league. I see him hitting fourth if Matt doesn't play, fifth if he does."
LaRussa:
"I believe he fits you best in the middle. I really believe we just got deeper in the middle of our order. You talk about a track record hitter in the middle and he's got it. I'd put him in the top five or six in the league. I see him hitting fourth if Matt doesn't play, fifth if he does."
How should you feel about Berkman?
After taking a couple of days to consider just what in the hell happened, here's a guide to how you currently feel vs. how you should probably feel.
Mad as hell
If you're mad as hell, the key is questioning just who you're mad at:
Are you mad at Berkman? Not so fast, my friend. He got $8 million to play on a team with Matt Holliday and Albert Pujols - one that is a playoff contender.
Berkman:
"I can understand why people would feel that way, but really I'm not motivated by revenge. I'm not looking to come back in here and do anybody any harm or any damage. I just feel like St. Louis has a good team. it's a good city to play baseball in. I like the opportunity."
Are you mad at Ed Wade? If this is the overwhelming emotion you feel, it's probably the most appropriate, given the circumstances.
More Berkman:
"If it couldn't be here, this is the next place I wanted to be. The first call we made was to Houston. When that one didn't work out, the very next one was to St. Louis."
It was Ed Wade who told him, "No, thanks." When Wade made that decision, he knew Berkman wanted to play everyday, and play in the National League. Even though the Cardinals have to re-sign Pujols (and this is out-of-the-blue news), Wade should have considered the possibility Berkman would sign with the Cubs or Cardinals.
However, how did you feel when the Astros traded him? Relieved? Then what's the problem? He didn't (really) hit for the Yankees, why do you think he's going to hit for the Cardinals? If you thought his stock was falling, shouldn't it be a good thing that Berkman is going to a division rival, and playing a more demanding position?
Are you mad at the Cardinals? We're totally fine with that.
Sad
This is probably the dominant emotion. If you thought seeing Berkman in pinstripes was weird, wait until you see him with birds on the bat. If you're around the age of 30, then Berkman was a dominant part of your formative baseball years, and not the "I like baseball, and ice cream" years. The years where you first started paying attention to things like OBP, and SLG. The years where you felt like everyone in baseball owed you a handshake for 2004 and 2005. In your heart, you know that Berkman isn't the same player, but it kills you to think that he signed with the Cardinals out of spite, and he just might play a huge role in getting the Cardinals to the playoffs, and will play the Astros 18 times. So he's no longer out-of-sight out-of-mind. Sadness is a completely acceptable emotion.
Indifferent
This is a rather advanced emotion, similar to telling your friends that you like Animal Collective: it's impressive to say it, but deep down, you likely know that it's not true.
How you should treat Berkman upon his return in April
If you boo him, you're a jacknut. Granted, within a few minutes of the news, The Constable posted a rather hasty, violent tweet about Berkman. But that was a fit of passion (and he has been dealt with sternly). Do not hold it against Berkman. This isn't a Johnny Damon scenario, and while we can't remember a time that a significant Astro went to a division rival (Trever Miller doesn't count), it's just not the same. He wanted to come back, was rebuffed, and whether spite played into it or not, he gave the Astros the first crack at his services.
That said, if this stokes your hatred of the Cardinals and all they represent, so much the better.
Mad as hell
If you're mad as hell, the key is questioning just who you're mad at:
Are you mad at Berkman? Not so fast, my friend. He got $8 million to play on a team with Matt Holliday and Albert Pujols - one that is a playoff contender.
Berkman:
"I can understand why people would feel that way, but really I'm not motivated by revenge. I'm not looking to come back in here and do anybody any harm or any damage. I just feel like St. Louis has a good team. it's a good city to play baseball in. I like the opportunity."
Are you mad at Ed Wade? If this is the overwhelming emotion you feel, it's probably the most appropriate, given the circumstances.
More Berkman:
"If it couldn't be here, this is the next place I wanted to be. The first call we made was to Houston. When that one didn't work out, the very next one was to St. Louis."
It was Ed Wade who told him, "No, thanks." When Wade made that decision, he knew Berkman wanted to play everyday, and play in the National League. Even though the Cardinals have to re-sign Pujols (and this is out-of-the-blue news), Wade should have considered the possibility Berkman would sign with the Cubs or Cardinals.
However, how did you feel when the Astros traded him? Relieved? Then what's the problem? He didn't (really) hit for the Yankees, why do you think he's going to hit for the Cardinals? If you thought his stock was falling, shouldn't it be a good thing that Berkman is going to a division rival, and playing a more demanding position?
Are you mad at the Cardinals? We're totally fine with that.
Sad
This is probably the dominant emotion. If you thought seeing Berkman in pinstripes was weird, wait until you see him with birds on the bat. If you're around the age of 30, then Berkman was a dominant part of your formative baseball years, and not the "I like baseball, and ice cream" years. The years where you first started paying attention to things like OBP, and SLG. The years where you felt like everyone in baseball owed you a handshake for 2004 and 2005. In your heart, you know that Berkman isn't the same player, but it kills you to think that he signed with the Cardinals out of spite, and he just might play a huge role in getting the Cardinals to the playoffs, and will play the Astros 18 times. So he's no longer out-of-sight out-of-mind. Sadness is a completely acceptable emotion.
Indifferent
This is a rather advanced emotion, similar to telling your friends that you like Animal Collective: it's impressive to say it, but deep down, you likely know that it's not true.
How you should treat Berkman upon his return in April
If you boo him, you're a jacknut. Granted, within a few minutes of the news, The Constable posted a rather hasty, violent tweet about Berkman. But that was a fit of passion (and he has been dealt with sternly). Do not hold it against Berkman. This isn't a Johnny Damon scenario, and while we can't remember a time that a significant Astro went to a division rival (Trever Miller doesn't count), it's just not the same. He wanted to come back, was rebuffed, and whether spite played into it or not, he gave the Astros the first crack at his services.
That said, if this stokes your hatred of the Cardinals and all they represent, so much the better.
Saturday, December 4, 2010
Berkman breaks our hearts
Fox Sports' Jon Paul Morosi is tweeting that Lance has signed with the Cardinals. Waiting on details while we pick up the pieces of our shattered hearts.
Heyman says (forgive the lack of links, doing this from the phone) the deal is 1yr/$8m, and Berkman will move to left field, with Holliday going to right.
Heyman says (forgive the lack of links, doing this from the phone) the deal is 1yr/$8m, and Berkman will move to left field, with Holliday going to right.
Friday, December 3, 2010
Richard Griffin doesn't even consider Bagwell for the HOF
I'm sure we're going to see this more often as writers come clean about whom they are considering for the Hall of Fame. And we will be equally as outraged as we are now - when Jeff Bagwell doesn't even get a mention:
FIRST BASE (7): Jeff Bagwell, Tino Martinez, Don Mattingly, Fred McGriff, Mark McGwire, John Olerud, Rafael Palmeiro. It’s a strong list, but the Steroid Era has surely had an effect on the psyche of voters. McGwire has come clean about his steroid use and has re-entered the mainstream as Cardinals hitting coach, but it will take more than that to get him to 70 per cent. Palmeiro is on for the first time and it will be interesting to see the reaction of voters.
I am considering McGriff. The pinstripes are what Tino and Mattingly have on their side, but it’s not enough. Olerud broke in with a bang with the Jays, but falls short of Hall greatness.
FIRST BASE (7): Jeff Bagwell, Tino Martinez, Don Mattingly, Fred McGriff, Mark McGwire, John Olerud, Rafael Palmeiro. It’s a strong list, but the Steroid Era has surely had an effect on the psyche of voters. McGwire has come clean about his steroid use and has re-entered the mainstream as Cardinals hitting coach, but it will take more than that to get him to 70 per cent. Palmeiro is on for the first time and it will be interesting to see the reaction of voters.
I am considering McGriff. The pinstripes are what Tino and Mattingly have on their side, but it’s not enough. Olerud broke in with a bang with the Jays, but falls short of Hall greatness.
Non-Tender Deadline recap
So here's the awesome part about being sick. I was asleep at 6:45 last night. So we totally missed the news about whom the Astros offered contracts, and whom they did not.
The Astros tendered offers to Wandy Rodriguez, Matt Lindstrom, Michael Bourn, Hunter Pence, Clint Barmes, and Jeff Keppinger.
Who does that leave out? Sammy Gervacio, whom the Astros would still like to bring back. Wade:
“We want Sammy to be part of our club, but we wanted the protection from having to keep him on our major league DL. We were prepared to tender everyone else on the roster.”
More Wade:
"It's really a move of economics more than anything because of the uncertainty of his status going into Spring Training. Had he been injured coming into Spring Training and unable to perform, we would have had to carry him on the Major League disabled list. While we're protecting ourselves with respect to the tender, we still want Sammy to be part of our picture going forward."
Levine says the Astros plan to offer Gervacio a deal later in the off-season, but given Gervacio's injury history - which basically started about 15 minutes after the season began - might be trying to fill his spot externally before deciding on bringing him back.
We also learn what most of you probably heard last week - but Astros County was on radio silence - Tim Byrdak and Gustavo Chacin have both opted for free agency, instead of taking the assignment back to Oklahoma City.
The Astros tendered offers to Wandy Rodriguez, Matt Lindstrom, Michael Bourn, Hunter Pence, Clint Barmes, and Jeff Keppinger.
Who does that leave out? Sammy Gervacio, whom the Astros would still like to bring back. Wade:
“We want Sammy to be part of our club, but we wanted the protection from having to keep him on our major league DL. We were prepared to tender everyone else on the roster.”
More Wade:
"It's really a move of economics more than anything because of the uncertainty of his status going into Spring Training. Had he been injured coming into Spring Training and unable to perform, we would have had to carry him on the Major League disabled list. While we're protecting ourselves with respect to the tender, we still want Sammy to be part of our picture going forward."
Levine says the Astros plan to offer Gervacio a deal later in the off-season, but given Gervacio's injury history - which basically started about 15 minutes after the season began - might be trying to fill his spot externally before deciding on bringing him back.
We also learn what most of you probably heard last week - but Astros County was on radio silence - Tim Byrdak and Gustavo Chacin have both opted for free agency, instead of taking the assignment back to Oklahoma City.
Thursday, December 2, 2010
LaRussa is trying to recruit Berkman to come to STL
KMOV's Doug Vaughn says the Cardinals should sign Lance as a possible LF and backup plan for if Pujols decides he wants enough money to start his own baseball league.
Vaughn:
Berkman says he wants to play for a team that has a chance to win. Tony La Russa said on KFNS radio that he's trying to recruit Berkman to St. Louis.
Vaughn:
Berkman says he wants to play for a team that has a chance to win. Tony La Russa said on KFNS radio that he's trying to recruit Berkman to St. Louis.
Sugar Land adopts the worst possible name for their Independent team
You've got to be kidding me. SB Houston got the link first, and the Sugar Land team is called...The Skeeters. Not kidding.
My interest in this team just fell by 400%. Read SBN's post for some sexual hilarity.
My interest in this team just fell by 400%. Read SBN's post for some sexual hilarity.
Berkman to Colorado gaining some traction
Troy E. Renck of the Denver Post says that Berkman is "strongly considering" going to Colorado, with the Rockies hoping that Berkman's desire to stay in the NL will seal the deal.
Berkman and Todd Helton share the same agent, and Helton is reported (by Renck) to be open to the idea of Berkman joining the team.
Renck lists some other teams interested in Berkman:
He also has interest from the Cardinals, Blue Jays and Athletics, among others.
Would Berkman go to St. Louis? I guess Ed Wade may be trying to recount that short conversation he had telling Berkman the Astros weren't interested. Just to remember if he swore at him...
Berkman and Todd Helton share the same agent, and Helton is reported (by Renck) to be open to the idea of Berkman joining the team.
Renck lists some other teams interested in Berkman:
He also has interest from the Cardinals, Blue Jays and Athletics, among others.
Would Berkman go to St. Louis? I guess Ed Wade may be trying to recount that short conversation he had telling Berkman the Astros weren't interested. Just to remember if he swore at him...
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Berkman about to be a Rockie?
There's a Denver Post article in which the Rockies are reportedly getting close to signing Berkman.
It would be a good move for him, especially over Oakland, where he could stay in the NL and launch the ball like it was 2004.
It would be a good move for him, especially over Oakland, where he could stay in the NL and launch the ball like it was 2004.
Hey, Fernando Nieve got a job!
Fernando Nieve was signed by the Pirates today! Good for him, we think.
Figueroa signs, avoids arbitration
The Astros have signed Nelson Figueroa to a one-year, $900K deal, sez Zach Levine.
This is a low-risk move by the Astros. They have their long-relief/spot starter for a low price, and meet their quota of having someone old enough to have played for Leo Durocher on the roster.
This is a low-risk move by the Astros. They have their long-relief/spot starter for a low price, and meet their quota of having someone old enough to have played for Leo Durocher on the roster.
Rumble! Grumble!
Jayson Stark's new Rumblings & Grumblings column addresses the short-term future of young Brett Wallace:
The Houston Astros have been quietly poking around for a low-budget left-handed-hitting outfielder. And that's an indication they're leaning toward moving Carlos Lee to first base to give Brett Wallace a chance to go back to Triple-A and get more big-league-ready. But here's the question people are asking about that scenario: Are they prepared to move Lee back to left field when Wallace gets it all together? They'd better be because Lee has $18.5 million coming in 2011 and 2012, so he isn't particularly tradable.
So. This little nugget affects not only Wallace and Lee, but also Koby Clemens (presumably OKC's 1B1 in 2011), Brian Bogusevic, and Jack Shuck. I also like how Stark is envisioning Wallace "getting it together" sometime this season. We'll know by the Winter Meetings what LFs are out there, so the speculation can begin Friday, after the non-tender deadline.
The Houston Astros have been quietly poking around for a low-budget left-handed-hitting outfielder. And that's an indication they're leaning toward moving Carlos Lee to first base to give Brett Wallace a chance to go back to Triple-A and get more big-league-ready. But here's the question people are asking about that scenario: Are they prepared to move Lee back to left field when Wallace gets it all together? They'd better be because Lee has $18.5 million coming in 2011 and 2012, so he isn't particularly tradable.
So. This little nugget affects not only Wallace and Lee, but also Koby Clemens (presumably OKC's 1B1 in 2011), Brian Bogusevic, and Jack Shuck. I also like how Stark is envisioning Wallace "getting it together" sometime this season. We'll know by the Winter Meetings what LFs are out there, so the speculation can begin Friday, after the non-tender deadline.
Ed Wade to take his time, thank you very much
Just because the Astros need just about every player still eligible for arbitration, it doesn't mean Wade won't take his time to decide for sure.
Wade:
"We think all the arbitration-eligible players we have on the roster have a chance to help us next year. How that's affected by the tender deadline remains to be seen. We think the profile of the players who are still arbitration-eligible and still unsigned is significant enough that we think they all factor for us next year. That said, we have to use all of the remaining time to try to make the right decisions."
Wade:
"We think all the arbitration-eligible players we have on the roster have a chance to help us next year. How that's affected by the tender deadline remains to be seen. We think the profile of the players who are still arbitration-eligible and still unsigned is significant enough that we think they all factor for us next year. That said, we have to use all of the remaining time to try to make the right decisions."
DeFrancesco introduced in OKC
The Astros introduced new OKC manager Tony DeFrancesco yesterday at a press conference.
On why he left the A's organization after so long:
“In baseball, you can move in a lot of directions. I had spent so many years with the A’s and managing in Sacramento, I thought it was time to go out there and see what else was available. I couldn’t be more thrilled to be the manager of this team.”
On why he left the A's organization after so long:
“In baseball, you can move in a lot of directions. I had spent so many years with the A’s and managing in Sacramento, I thought it was time to go out there and see what else was available. I couldn’t be more thrilled to be the manager of this team.”
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Hal Bodley speaks on Bagwell's HOF chances
Click here to watch a video of MLB.com's Hal Bodley breaking down Jeff Bagwell's Hall of Fame chances.
The money quote, transcribed:
I suspect, ultimately, he'll be in the Hall of Fame...Is he a first-ballot electee? I don't think so, and I suspect that's the way the voters are going to respond.
The money quote, transcribed:
I suspect, ultimately, he'll be in the Hall of Fame...Is he a first-ballot electee? I don't think so, and I suspect that's the way the voters are going to respond.
Maybe that Wandy long-term deal isn't true, after all
This is what you get for churning out posts without regard to feelings or intentions. Brian McTaggart, in his Quintero reaction piece throws a little sand, or gasoline (who knows), on the Wandy negotiations:
Contrary to a published report, the Astros aren't in conversations with Rodriguez about a multiyear contract. Wade said the club kicked around the idea with Rodriguez's representatives earlier in the year, but they are not involved in active multiyear negotiations at this time. He will be a free agent after the 2011 season.
BOOM!
Contrary to a published report, the Astros aren't in conversations with Rodriguez about a multiyear contract. Wade said the club kicked around the idea with Rodriguez's representatives earlier in the year, but they are not involved in active multiyear negotiations at this time. He will be a free agent after the 2011 season.
BOOM!
Chris Wallace gets a nice little honor
2010 16th Round draft pick/UH alum Chris Wallace made the ultra-slashed2010 Topps/Minor League Baseball Short Season/Rookie All-Star Team as a Designated Hitter.
UPDATE: And Jose Perdomo got some love, as the All-Star Team pitcher.
UPDATE: And Jose Perdomo got some love, as the All-Star Team pitcher.
Astros avoid arbitration with Quintero
According to a team press release, linked to by MLBTR, and tweeted by the Crawfish Boxes (the things that happen while you step away to use the restroom and play Angry Birds), the Astros have avoided arbitration with Humberto Quintero.
Brett Myers' Personal Catcher (waiting on confirmation from the Astros that will be on Q's jersey) will receive $1m plus incentive bonuses. That's about a quarter of a million dollars more than he made last year. And if he gets Myers another 30 straight quality starts, I'll take it.
Brett Myers' Personal Catcher (waiting on confirmation from the Astros that will be on Q's jersey) will receive $1m plus incentive bonuses. That's about a quarter of a million dollars more than he made last year. And if he gets Myers another 30 straight quality starts, I'll take it.
McTaggart: Everybody gets a contract!
Short version: All eight Astros are likely to get tendered a contract by Thursday's deadline.
Long version.
Long version.
De La Rosa deal likely to affect negotiations with Wandy
So Colorado pitcher Jorge De La Rosa's new deal, worth 3 years/$32 million, is probably going to impact Wandy's negotiations for his own long-term deal.
Some statistics, if you don't mind:
Jorge De La Rosa - 29 years old (will be 30 on April 5).
2010: 8-7 in 20 starts, with 4.22 ERA / 1.32 WHIP. 2.05 K:BB ratio, 110 ERA+, with 7.8 hits/9 innings.
Career (2004-10): 49-47. 5.02 ERA / 1.52 WHIP. 1.75 K:BB ratio, 92 ERA+, with 9.2 hits/9 innings.
Wandy Rodriguez - 31 years old (will be 32 on January 18).
2010: 11-12 in 32 starts, with 3.60 ERA / 1.29 WHIP. 2.62 K:BB ratio, 108 ERA+, with 8.4 hits/9 innings.
Career (2005-10): 62-64. 4.18 ERA / 1.35 WHIP. 2.37 K:BB ratio, 101 ERA+, with 8.9 hits/9 innings.
They're similar pitchers, with similar numbers, and a slight edge going to Wandy. That said, when we said we'd be comfortable with Wandy getting 3yrs/$20m yesterday, there's no way that happens now - unless Wandy's agent is a complete bubbleguts. We'll go ahead and adjust Wandy's projection to 3yrs/$33m-36m.
Thoughts?
Some statistics, if you don't mind:
Jorge De La Rosa - 29 years old (will be 30 on April 5).
2010: 8-7 in 20 starts, with 4.22 ERA / 1.32 WHIP. 2.05 K:BB ratio, 110 ERA+, with 7.8 hits/9 innings.
Career (2004-10): 49-47. 5.02 ERA / 1.52 WHIP. 1.75 K:BB ratio, 92 ERA+, with 9.2 hits/9 innings.
Wandy Rodriguez - 31 years old (will be 32 on January 18).
2010: 11-12 in 32 starts, with 3.60 ERA / 1.29 WHIP. 2.62 K:BB ratio, 108 ERA+, with 8.4 hits/9 innings.
Career (2005-10): 62-64. 4.18 ERA / 1.35 WHIP. 2.37 K:BB ratio, 101 ERA+, with 8.9 hits/9 innings.
They're similar pitchers, with similar numbers, and a slight edge going to Wandy. That said, when we said we'd be comfortable with Wandy getting 3yrs/$20m yesterday, there's no way that happens now - unless Wandy's agent is a complete bubbleguts. We'll go ahead and adjust Wandy's projection to 3yrs/$33m-36m.
Thoughts?
Winter Meetings likely to be boring as hell
Brian McTaggart talked to Ed Wade about the Winter Meetings, which begin next Monday.
Ed Wade:
I don't see us being really active at the Winter Meetings unless we're engaged in specific trade discussions at that point, but I envision it being quiet for us. As we've indicated, we've got some payroll limitations that we're working through, and that being the case, it will be a challenge being out there and be overly aggressive in the free-agent market. That doesn't mean we're not going to work to get things done, but I look at it in a realistic context. I don't envision us being as active as we were last year."
But here's an interesting note from McTaggart:
As is the case with the outfield spot, Houston may choose to find a starting pitcher internally. Wade said top prospect Jordan Lyles will likely be invited to spring camp to compete for a spot, and the team has kicked around the idea of putting young relievers Fernando Abad or Henry Villar in the rotation.
As of now, your rotation is: Myers, Happ, Wandy, Norris, and...someone else. Lyles just turned 20 in October. The last time the Astros had a 20-year old appear in more than a handful of games in September was in 1977, when Terry Puhl got in 60 games (and had a .786 OPS, by the by).
Villar started making that transition in Corpus earlier this season. What do you think about transitioning either him or Abad to the rotation?
Ed Wade:
I don't see us being really active at the Winter Meetings unless we're engaged in specific trade discussions at that point, but I envision it being quiet for us. As we've indicated, we've got some payroll limitations that we're working through, and that being the case, it will be a challenge being out there and be overly aggressive in the free-agent market. That doesn't mean we're not going to work to get things done, but I look at it in a realistic context. I don't envision us being as active as we were last year."
But here's an interesting note from McTaggart:
As is the case with the outfield spot, Houston may choose to find a starting pitcher internally. Wade said top prospect Jordan Lyles will likely be invited to spring camp to compete for a spot, and the team has kicked around the idea of putting young relievers Fernando Abad or Henry Villar in the rotation.
As of now, your rotation is: Myers, Happ, Wandy, Norris, and...someone else. Lyles just turned 20 in October. The last time the Astros had a 20-year old appear in more than a handful of games in September was in 1977, when Terry Puhl got in 60 games (and had a .786 OPS, by the by).
Villar started making that transition in Corpus earlier this season. What do you think about transitioning either him or Abad to the rotation?
Berkman to meet with Oakland
I don't even know why this should even be mentioned, seeing as how Berkman is not - and likely won't be - with the Astros anymore (except perhaps in a Special Assistant to the GM role, and probably not Specially Assisting Ed Wade) - but Lance is meeting with the Oakland A's.
Monday, November 29, 2010
Does Bagwell belong in the Hall of Fame?
Brian McTaggart has an article today on Bagwell's candidacy for the Hall of Fame - as this is his first time on the ballot. If you ask any Astros fan whether or not Bagwell should be enshrined in Cooperstown, we can guarantee you that he would meet the required 75% to get in. But Base Ball (yes, two words) Writers aren't typically Astros fans. So we must think about this objectively.
First, some stats. Bagwell basically played from 1991-2004. He played in 39 games in 2005, but that doesn't really count (too much, anyway). So here's what you get in those 13 full seasons - counting 1994 as a full season.
2111 games, 7697 ABs, .297/.408/.542, 446 homers, 1510 RBI, .948 OPS, 149 OPS+.
Rookie of the Year in 1991, MVP in 1994. Four-time All-Star. Top 10 in MVP voting six times. Top 5 in MVP voting three times.
Baseball-Reference's Gray Ink test gives Bagwell 157 points. The average Hall of Famer has a Gray Ink score of 144. B-R's Hall of Fame Monitor gives him 150 points, where a "Likely Hall of Famer" comes in at 100. And B-R's Hall of Fame Standards scores him a 59 (36th-highest of all time), where an Average HOFer is set at 50.
So by those standards, sure. How about Similarity Scores? The players Bagwell scores most similarly to is, in order, Chipper Jones, Carlos Delgado, Frank Thomas, Fred McGriff, Andres Galarraga, Willie Stargell, Vladimir Guerrero, Orlando Cepeda, Jason Giambi, and Jim Thome. Of those ten, Stargell and Cepeda are already Hall of Famers.
But the problem is the era in which he played, and it's an era that is basically denoted with an implied asterisk. Anyone who put up big numbers from 1991-2004 (and whose body subsequently broke down fairly rapidly) is looked at with one eyebrow at half staff.
Still, if you're of the opinion that he should be considered innocent until proven guilty (which would be mighty American of you. Well, 1791 American. Not necessarily 2010 American), then he needs to be considered against other 1Bs of his time. So let's look at that:
Scratch that. I had a table all put together comparing Bagwell's Avg/OPS/SLG and OPS+ to all MLB 1Bs but it was such a large set of numbers that it was actually much more difficult to read. The important thing to note is that Bagwell's OPS+ was higher than the average for MLB 1Bs from 1991-2003, and his 115 OPS+ in 2004 was just a tick lower than the average tOPS+ for MLB 1B of 116.
Also:
Career WAR of 79.9 is 57th of all-time.
Career OBP of .408 is 40th of all-time.
Career SLG of .540 is 35th of all-time.
Career OPS of .948 is 21st of all-time.
Career OPS+ of 149 is 37th of all-time.
Finished in the Top 10 in OPS+ nine times (including eight in a row from 1993-2000)
Career 1788 Runs Created is 37th of all-time.
Career 619 Adjusted Batting Runs is 21st of all-time.
Now, you can make statistics say whatever you want them to say, but in just about every offensive facet of the game - even when taking the era into account - he was among the best first basemen in the game for 13 years.
Honestly, did you really think you would read an Astros blog that said Bagwell didn't belong in the Hall of Fame? Of course, "Does he belong?" and "Will he belong?" are two totally separate questions.
First, some stats. Bagwell basically played from 1991-2004. He played in 39 games in 2005, but that doesn't really count (too much, anyway). So here's what you get in those 13 full seasons - counting 1994 as a full season.
2111 games, 7697 ABs, .297/.408/.542, 446 homers, 1510 RBI, .948 OPS, 149 OPS+.
Rookie of the Year in 1991, MVP in 1994. Four-time All-Star. Top 10 in MVP voting six times. Top 5 in MVP voting three times.
Baseball-Reference's Gray Ink test gives Bagwell 157 points. The average Hall of Famer has a Gray Ink score of 144. B-R's Hall of Fame Monitor gives him 150 points, where a "Likely Hall of Famer" comes in at 100. And B-R's Hall of Fame Standards scores him a 59 (36th-highest of all time), where an Average HOFer is set at 50.
So by those standards, sure. How about Similarity Scores? The players Bagwell scores most similarly to is, in order, Chipper Jones, Carlos Delgado, Frank Thomas, Fred McGriff, Andres Galarraga, Willie Stargell, Vladimir Guerrero, Orlando Cepeda, Jason Giambi, and Jim Thome. Of those ten, Stargell and Cepeda are already Hall of Famers.
But the problem is the era in which he played, and it's an era that is basically denoted with an implied asterisk. Anyone who put up big numbers from 1991-2004 (and whose body subsequently broke down fairly rapidly) is looked at with one eyebrow at half staff.
Still, if you're of the opinion that he should be considered innocent until proven guilty (which would be mighty American of you. Well, 1791 American. Not necessarily 2010 American), then he needs to be considered against other 1Bs of his time. So let's look at that:
Scratch that. I had a table all put together comparing Bagwell's Avg/OPS/SLG and OPS+ to all MLB 1Bs but it was such a large set of numbers that it was actually much more difficult to read. The important thing to note is that Bagwell's OPS+ was higher than the average for MLB 1Bs from 1991-2003, and his 115 OPS+ in 2004 was just a tick lower than the average tOPS+ for MLB 1B of 116.
Also:
Career WAR of 79.9 is 57th of all-time.
Career OBP of .408 is 40th of all-time.
Career SLG of .540 is 35th of all-time.
Career OPS of .948 is 21st of all-time.
Career OPS+ of 149 is 37th of all-time.
Finished in the Top 10 in OPS+ nine times (including eight in a row from 1993-2000)
Career 1788 Runs Created is 37th of all-time.
Career 619 Adjusted Batting Runs is 21st of all-time.
Now, you can make statistics say whatever you want them to say, but in just about every offensive facet of the game - even when taking the era into account - he was among the best first basemen in the game for 13 years.
Honestly, did you really think you would read an Astros blog that said Bagwell didn't belong in the Hall of Fame? Of course, "Does he belong?" and "Will he belong?" are two totally separate questions.
Astros talking long-term with Wandy, tell Bourn and Pence to piss off
Maybe not in those terms. But still, the Astros have discussed a long-term deal with Wandy Rodriguez, but as Zach Levine reports, "are unlikely" to do the same with Bourn and Pence.
Of course the reasoning is that this is Wandy's final year of arbitration eligibility, while Bourn won't become a free agent until 2013, and Pence until 2014.
How long-term? If I were Ed Wade - which, of course, I'm not - I would be hesitant to offer any more than three years for Wandy. He lost his arbitration case last year, being forced to subsist on $5 million for 2010. What terms would you offer for Wandy? I'd be comfortable with 3 years/$20 million, especially with Arnsberg on staff.
Of course the reasoning is that this is Wandy's final year of arbitration eligibility, while Bourn won't become a free agent until 2013, and Pence until 2014.
How long-term? If I were Ed Wade - which, of course, I'm not - I would be hesitant to offer any more than three years for Wandy. He lost his arbitration case last year, being forced to subsist on $5 million for 2010. What terms would you offer for Wandy? I'd be comfortable with 3 years/$20 million, especially with Arnsberg on staff.
Just how close the Astros were to drafting Jeter
Baseball America has a good read today, giving a little insight into why the Astros didn't draft Jeter with the #1 overall pick in 1992 - going instead with Phil Nevin:
In his book "The Last Night of the Yankee Dynasty," Buster Olney details how Hall of Fame pitcher Hal Newhouser, the Astros' area scout responsible for covering Jeter as Kalamazoo (Mich.) Central High, told Houston brass that Jeter was a special player and person. There were rumors Jeter wanted a seven-figure bonus to pass up a Michigan scholarship, however, and Houston was worried about signability as much as ability.
The Astros were in the process of being sold, and they had declined to sign No. 6 overall choice John Burke when he held out for $500,000 the year before. Houston was determined to work out bonus parameters with 1992's top pick before the draft, and did exactly that, negotiating a $700,000 deal with Nevin...
...As for Jeter, he signed for the same $700,000 that the Astros gave Nevin. Disgusted that his team disregarded his judgment, Newhouser quit his job with Houston.
Anyone else see the irony in previous ownership not wanting to spend money on the draft?
In his book "The Last Night of the Yankee Dynasty," Buster Olney details how Hall of Fame pitcher Hal Newhouser, the Astros' area scout responsible for covering Jeter as Kalamazoo (Mich.) Central High, told Houston brass that Jeter was a special player and person. There were rumors Jeter wanted a seven-figure bonus to pass up a Michigan scholarship, however, and Houston was worried about signability as much as ability.
The Astros were in the process of being sold, and they had declined to sign No. 6 overall choice John Burke when he held out for $500,000 the year before. Houston was determined to work out bonus parameters with 1992's top pick before the draft, and did exactly that, negotiating a $700,000 deal with Nevin...
...As for Jeter, he signed for the same $700,000 that the Astros gave Nevin. Disgusted that his team disregarded his judgment, Newhouser quit his job with Houston.
Anyone else see the irony in previous ownership not wanting to spend money on the draft?
Berkman is so over Houston
Richard Justice is here to talk about the past, and Lance Berkman's future. Presumably because those are two different things.
Berkman, on being turned down by Ed Wade for a year-long prom date:
"After initially being pretty disappointed, I've gotten over it. Now my focus is on who is going to contend that wants me to play for them. There's been a lot of interest — Cardinals, Cubs, Rockies, A's, Pirates, Blue Jays, a bunch of teams. I haven't had a single offer in terms of X amount of dollars, but I think this is the time of the year when there's a lot of tire-kicking."
Note: three of the teams that Berkman mentioned are NL Central teams. He has already said he wants to play for a contender, so presumably the Pirates are out, but we'll see what happens if it's February, and Berkman is still looking for a job.
Berkman, on being turned down by Ed Wade for a year-long prom date:
"After initially being pretty disappointed, I've gotten over it. Now my focus is on who is going to contend that wants me to play for them. There's been a lot of interest — Cardinals, Cubs, Rockies, A's, Pirates, Blue Jays, a bunch of teams. I haven't had a single offer in terms of X amount of dollars, but I think this is the time of the year when there's a lot of tire-kicking."
Note: three of the teams that Berkman mentioned are NL Central teams. He has already said he wants to play for a contender, so presumably the Pirates are out, but we'll see what happens if it's February, and Berkman is still looking for a job.
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Tranzactionz
While Astros County has been placed on a strict "no phone" policy for the holiday, we give a big captip to Appy Astros for the link to the latest transactions from Baseball America.
Re-signed P Edwin Walker
Released:
RHP Rafael Feliz
RHP John Frawley
RHP Justin Harper
RHP Ashton Mowdy
RHP Daniel Sarisky
RHP Mike Schurz
LHP David Duncan
1B Aaron Bray
1B Mark Ori
1B Nick Stanley
3B Ricardo Garcia
OF Frank Almonte
OF Ricardo Heredia
Obviously the one that hits hardest for us is the releasing of Our Boy Aaron Bray.
Re-signed P Edwin Walker
Released:
RHP Rafael Feliz
RHP John Frawley
RHP Justin Harper
RHP Ashton Mowdy
RHP Daniel Sarisky
RHP Mike Schurz
LHP David Duncan
1B Aaron Bray
1B Mark Ori
1B Nick Stanley
3B Ricardo Garcia
OF Frank Almonte
OF Ricardo Heredia
Obviously the one that hits hardest for us is the releasing of Our Boy Aaron Bray.
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
File under: Previous Information
MLB.com has a non-McTaggart story up on the long, slow rebuild:
And here's the thing: Astros fans would be wise not to get too far ahead of themselves. There's a reason clubs are hesitant to rebuild. It's a long, slow, painful process. You don't just decide one year to go young, and win 95 games the next year.
Even considering the late surge in 2010, things could be difficult for the Astros in '11. A lot must go right for them to have enough offense to contend. Happ is a useful pitcher, but he's no Oswalt. This is not a team that will be favored to hang with the Reds and Cardinals in the division next season.
But that doesn't mean it's the wrong course.
Wait. What? We won't win 140 games next year? Pshaw. Go back to covering the Cardinals.
And here's the thing: Astros fans would be wise not to get too far ahead of themselves. There's a reason clubs are hesitant to rebuild. It's a long, slow, painful process. You don't just decide one year to go young, and win 95 games the next year.
Even considering the late surge in 2010, things could be difficult for the Astros in '11. A lot must go right for them to have enough offense to contend. Happ is a useful pitcher, but he's no Oswalt. This is not a team that will be favored to hang with the Reds and Cardinals in the division next season.
But that doesn't mean it's the wrong course.
Wait. What? We won't win 140 games next year? Pshaw. Go back to covering the Cardinals.
40-man roster additions
So as the Astros gear up for the Rule 5 draft (in which other teams can poach other teams' players), the Astros have added some guys to the 40-man roster:
RHP David Carpenter
RHP Jorge DeLeon
RHP Arcenio Leon
2B Jimmy Paredes
And have thus been protected from the Rule 5 draft
RHP David Carpenter
RHP Jorge DeLeon
RHP Arcenio Leon
2B Jimmy Paredes
And have thus been protected from the Rule 5 draft
Jim Pankovits gets a promotion, just not with the Astros
Tri-City Manager Jim Pankovits has left the Astros organization, accepting a Double-A managerial position with Seattle's affiliate in Jackson, TN.
Monday, November 22, 2010
Tom Lawless gets hisself a promotion
2010's Lancaster manager Tom Lawless has been promoted to the same position with Double-A Corpus Christi.
He'll be joined by pitching coach Don Alexander, who comes up from Lancaster; and hitting coach Stubby Clapp, who gets a promotion from Lexington.
And in a related note, the Astros announced that they have hired Larry Prado - who signed Ryan Braun for Milwaukee - to scout central and south Florida.
He'll be joined by pitching coach Don Alexander, who comes up from Lancaster; and hitting coach Stubby Clapp, who gets a promotion from Lexington.
And in a related note, the Astros announced that they have hired Larry Prado - who signed Ryan Braun for Milwaukee - to scout central and south Florida.
Astros interested in Brandon McCarthy
Fox Sports' Jon Paul Morosi says that the Astros are interested in former top pitching prospect Brandon McCarthy.
Morosi:
When healthy, McCarthy was effective this season at Class AAA Oklahoma City in the Texas organization (4-2, 3.36 ERA). But a stress fracture in his right shoulder limited him to just 56 1/3 innings. That is the same injury that hampered his throwing arm in the past.
Morosi:
When healthy, McCarthy was effective this season at Class AAA Oklahoma City in the Texas organization (4-2, 3.36 ERA). But a stress fracture in his right shoulder limited him to just 56 1/3 innings. That is the same injury that hampered his throwing arm in the past.
First Ownership Rumor of the Off-season
Apologies for the lack of posting this weekend. Don't buy a Gateway. That's the Moral of the Weekend.
Anyhow, with a captip to Bernie's Crew, we read that Miles Prentice - owner of Milwaukee's Double-A Huntsville Stars - is interested in buying the Astros:
Drayton:
"I did not know him well. He just contacted me and came down, seven-eight months ago, and he said if I could raise the funds to buy the Astros would you consider it and I said sure. He has a great reputation. He owns (three) minor league teams and has owned minor league teams for 15 years and has a good reputation in the minor leagues and people think highly of him and so I said if you can show me you have the financial wherewithal to do it, he hasn't done that."
This is obviously a poorly-punctuated sentence, but you get the drift. Before getting excited, read Bernie's Crew's take:
The Huntsville Stars have routinely been harassed by the Brewers for not putting money into their facilities. If a man with that type of attitude wishes to purchase the Astros, be my guest.
Note: Kirk Bohls predicted this sequence at the beginning of November.
Anyhow, with a captip to Bernie's Crew, we read that Miles Prentice - owner of Milwaukee's Double-A Huntsville Stars - is interested in buying the Astros:
Drayton:
"I did not know him well. He just contacted me and came down, seven-eight months ago, and he said if I could raise the funds to buy the Astros would you consider it and I said sure. He has a great reputation. He owns (three) minor league teams and has owned minor league teams for 15 years and has a good reputation in the minor leagues and people think highly of him and so I said if you can show me you have the financial wherewithal to do it, he hasn't done that."
This is obviously a poorly-punctuated sentence, but you get the drift. Before getting excited, read Bernie's Crew's take:
The Huntsville Stars have routinely been harassed by the Brewers for not putting money into their facilities. If a man with that type of attitude wishes to purchase the Astros, be my guest.
Note: Kirk Bohls predicted this sequence at the beginning of November.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Oakland's Director of Player Development might need a hug
Because he seems genuinely upset that Tony DeFrancesco is heading to Oklahoma City:
"Tony has been an integral part of our organization for many years. He has been able to influence Oakland players from rookie ball to the major leagues. The winning tradition he has created for our affiliates and players is unparalleled. His energy, knowledge and passion for the game is recognized throughout the industry."
Author Melissa Lockard:
During his time in Sacramento, DeFrancesco became a fan favorite, hosting pre-game chats with the fans, among other activities. His teams were marked by their professionalism and their passion for winning, two things that can sometimes be hard to find in the minor leagues. While managing the River Cats, he helped develop a number of current major leaguers, including Nick Swisher, Joe Blanton, Kurt Suzuki, Daric Barton, Bobby Crosby, Brad Ziegler, Aaron Harang, Gio Gonzalez and Vince Mazzaro.
"Tony has been an integral part of our organization for many years. He has been able to influence Oakland players from rookie ball to the major leagues. The winning tradition he has created for our affiliates and players is unparalleled. His energy, knowledge and passion for the game is recognized throughout the industry."
Author Melissa Lockard:
During his time in Sacramento, DeFrancesco became a fan favorite, hosting pre-game chats with the fans, among other activities. His teams were marked by their professionalism and their passion for winning, two things that can sometimes be hard to find in the minor leagues. While managing the River Cats, he helped develop a number of current major leaguers, including Nick Swisher, Joe Blanton, Kurt Suzuki, Daric Barton, Bobby Crosby, Brad Ziegler, Aaron Harang, Gio Gonzalez and Vince Mazzaro.
A single tear runs down Justice's leg
Richard Justice just bought a new wardrobe of sackcloth and ashes:
That's why I'm telling you Drayton selling the Astros isn't good news. Yes, he has made every mistake an owner can make, some of them more than once. He has also learned some tough lessons. Now just when he seems to have the club on the right track, he's out the door. I miss him already.
That's why I'm telling you Drayton selling the Astros isn't good news. Yes, he has made every mistake an owner can make, some of them more than once. He has also learned some tough lessons. Now just when he seems to have the club on the right track, he's out the door. I miss him already.
Big Shiny Official Announcement!
So Drayton will be holding a press conference this afternoon at 2:30 to address his selling of the Astros.
And Zach Levine has confirmed that Cuban ain't interested. And let's face it, that would have been awesome.
And Zach Levine has confirmed that Cuban ain't interested. And let's face it, that would have been awesome.
OMGZFLOL Astros are for sale
Mark Berman first broke the news that Drayton has retained a New York City-based investment firm to help him sell the Astros, for an asking price of $800m.
Zach Levine:
In partnering with Allen & Company and specifically industry giant Steve Greenberg — the son of Baseball Hall of Famer Hank Greenberg and a partner in the firm — McLane has secured the services of one of the foremost brokers of deals in sports and entertainment business. It is a much more aggressive approach than he has taken in the past when he has simply said he would consider selling if the right offer came along.
This is pretty damn ballsy, as Forbes recently valued the Astros at $453m in 2009, and I can't imagine that number increased significantly over the last season, amirite?
So of course everyone is all over Cuban's junk, but 1560 Radio Host David Nuno says he can confirm that Mark Cuban isn't interested in the Astros.
And let's be honest, this has been building for quite some time - previous For Sale signs notwithstanding. From the trimming of payroll, shedding of high contracts (except one...), upgrades to the stadium, and the new RSN, Drayton has been detailing his franchise getting it ready to sell.
Craig Calcaterra sums it up pretty well:
Bonus: no one is bankrupt this time, so any sale would likely take less than nine months and multiple rounds of litigation. Which means this won’t be much fun at all, sadly.
Zach Levine:
In partnering with Allen & Company and specifically industry giant Steve Greenberg — the son of Baseball Hall of Famer Hank Greenberg and a partner in the firm — McLane has secured the services of one of the foremost brokers of deals in sports and entertainment business. It is a much more aggressive approach than he has taken in the past when he has simply said he would consider selling if the right offer came along.
This is pretty damn ballsy, as Forbes recently valued the Astros at $453m in 2009, and I can't imagine that number increased significantly over the last season, amirite?
So of course everyone is all over Cuban's junk, but 1560 Radio Host David Nuno says he can confirm that Mark Cuban isn't interested in the Astros.
And let's be honest, this has been building for quite some time - previous For Sale signs notwithstanding. From the trimming of payroll, shedding of high contracts (except one...), upgrades to the stadium, and the new RSN, Drayton has been detailing his franchise getting it ready to sell.
Craig Calcaterra sums it up pretty well:
Bonus: no one is bankrupt this time, so any sale would likely take less than nine months and multiple rounds of litigation. Which means this won’t be much fun at all, sadly.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
And the shoe drops for Manzella
Zach Levine's updated story has this:
General manager Ed Wade said that Barmes' job was still to be determined, though manager Brad Mills would be comfortable making him the starting shortstop — a position that was manned by Tommy Manzella and Angel Sanchez last year.
Wade:
"Millsie thinks that he's more than capable of playing shortstop every day, and he's a plus defender at second. Where that all plays out depends on what else we do during the offseason and it could depend on what guys do at spring training."
Did Manzella get a fair chance? Hell, and no, he didn't. When it was obvious in September 2009 that Tejada would not be coming back, Manzella saw about four and a half minutes of time at the plate. And then he that finger wouldn't heal quickly, and Angel Sanchez did well enough to keep him at bay until August. No, Manzella didn't get a fair chance.
Note there's a possibility of more moves during the off-season, and then going through Spring Training, but as of this moment, it's not looking good for Tommy Manzella in Houston.
General manager Ed Wade said that Barmes' job was still to be determined, though manager Brad Mills would be comfortable making him the starting shortstop — a position that was manned by Tommy Manzella and Angel Sanchez last year.
Wade:
"Millsie thinks that he's more than capable of playing shortstop every day, and he's a plus defender at second. Where that all plays out depends on what else we do during the offseason and it could depend on what guys do at spring training."
Did Manzella get a fair chance? Hell, and no, he didn't. When it was obvious in September 2009 that Tejada would not be coming back, Manzella saw about four and a half minutes of time at the plate. And then he that finger wouldn't heal quickly, and Angel Sanchez did well enough to keep him at bay until August. No, Manzella didn't get a fair chance.
Note there's a possibility of more moves during the off-season, and then going through Spring Training, but as of this moment, it's not looking good for Tommy Manzella in Houston.
Here's a few words from Clint Barmes
The Denver Post has some reaction from Barmes, himself:
"I'll be honest with you, I was hoping to be a Rockie. I was wanting to try to work something out. But talking to Dan (O'Dowd), some other opportunities came up and it just seemed to be better for both sides. I'm excited about getting an opportunity to play shortstop and have a team interested in me. You're a little more valuable at shortstop than you are at second base. You're in control of the infield. There's that leadership role you have to take into account. I believe that's a good fit for me. That's where I've played most of my career and I've always looked at myself as a shortstop."
Here's an interesting footnote from Troy E. Renck:
Houston has had interest in Barmes for months, and he will likely become their starting shortstop.
Hm. Months? This isn't looking good for you, Manzella.
"I'll be honest with you, I was hoping to be a Rockie. I was wanting to try to work something out. But talking to Dan (O'Dowd), some other opportunities came up and it just seemed to be better for both sides. I'm excited about getting an opportunity to play shortstop and have a team interested in me. You're a little more valuable at shortstop than you are at second base. You're in control of the infield. There's that leadership role you have to take into account. I believe that's a good fit for me. That's where I've played most of my career and I've always looked at myself as a shortstop."
Here's an interesting footnote from Troy E. Renck:
Houston has had interest in Barmes for months, and he will likely become their starting shortstop.
Hm. Months? This isn't looking good for you, Manzella.
How this trade came about
Troy E. Renck tweeted some details about how this whole Paulino/Barmes trade went down:
The Rockies talked about trying to make a two-year deal work. Couldn't gain traction, then trade came along that made sense for both sides. "I don't have a bad thing to say about my experience," said Barmes. Barmes goes to a park suited for a pull hitter. Should start at SS.
The Rockies talked about trying to make a two-year deal work. Couldn't gain traction, then trade came along that made sense for both sides. "I don't have a bad thing to say about my experience," said Barmes. Barmes goes to a park suited for a pull hitter. Should start at SS.
And now, reactions
Thanks to the wonder of Twitter, here are some immediate reactions to the Paulino-for-Barmes trade:
Hunter Pence:
He can drop bombs at MMP
Dave Cameron:
Felipe Paulino for Clint Barmes kind of speaks for itself. #EdWade
Joe Sheehan (and here)
Barmes will be 32 next spring, has a .300 career OBP (all spent at Coors) and a good bet to be non-tendered. How do you trade ANYTHING for that?"
Denver Post's Troy E. Renck:
That's a great spot for barmes, can be (their) everyday shortstop.
Jerome Solomon:
Snap judgments aren't the best, but hard to get excited when the Astros add a guy who hit .235 last year.
Hardball Talk's Aaron Gleeman:
I think Paulino still has a chance to be a pretty solid pitcher, but between his awful performance so far and various injury problems it’s tough to blame the Astros for giving up on him.
Giving up on him in order to acquire Barmes, of course, is another issue.
FanGraphs:
Houston will be mocked for this trade to various degrees. Not because they gave up a high-upside arm like Paulino, but because they did so to acquire a mediocre talent that might have been available at a lesser cost in a matter of weeks. As it stands, Colorado did well to get something in return for Barmes, and particularly well for the return to have upside.
Hunter Pence:
He can drop bombs at MMP
Dave Cameron:
Felipe Paulino for Clint Barmes kind of speaks for itself. #EdWade
Joe Sheehan (and here)
Barmes will be 32 next spring, has a .300 career OBP (all spent at Coors) and a good bet to be non-tendered. How do you trade ANYTHING for that?"
Denver Post's Troy E. Renck:
That's a great spot for barmes, can be (their) everyday shortstop.
Jerome Solomon:
Snap judgments aren't the best, but hard to get excited when the Astros add a guy who hit .235 last year.
Hardball Talk's Aaron Gleeman:
I think Paulino still has a chance to be a pretty solid pitcher, but between his awful performance so far and various injury problems it’s tough to blame the Astros for giving up on him.
Giving up on him in order to acquire Barmes, of course, is another issue.
FanGraphs:
Houston will be mocked for this trade to various degrees. Not because they gave up a high-upside arm like Paulino, but because they did so to acquire a mediocre talent that might have been available at a lesser cost in a matter of weeks. As it stands, Colorado did well to get something in return for Barmes, and particularly well for the return to have upside.
Jeebus! Astros make a trade!
Not three days after espousing how terrible this off-season has been, the Astros traded Felipe Paulino to Colorado for Clint Barmes.
Ed Wade:
"We're excited to add Clint to our club. He's a plus defensive player at two positions, has gap and some home run power and has great makeup. It's tough to give up a power arm like Felipe's, but Clint fits a need that we had to address."
This will be significantly expanded on throughout the next few days, I'm sure, but here's the immediate take: I like it. In another Alyson Footer tweet, Wade said this doesn't really affect Keppinger or Manzella, but of course it does. Paulino had a great arm, when it was healthy. Problem is, it hasn't really been healthy.
Is Barmes the player he was in 2005 (.289/.330/.434) or even 2008 (.290/.322/.468)? No. His OPS since 2005 has been .598, .534, .790, .734, and .656. And that's playing in Colorado. Should we be concerned about his ability to produce? Sure. But the Astros just made a low-risk move that might pay off. If Felipe Paulino turns into Ubaldo Jimenez, we can all chalk this up to kerrazy Ed Wade shenanigans, but name a player - other than 2008 Lidge - who Wade got rid of that went on to be a star.
It's my guess that Barmes is now your de facto SS1, and Manzella is SS2. Manzella will have to tear the cover off the ball, or Barmes will have to show up with poop stains on the outside of his pants, in Spring Training.
Ed Wade:
"We're excited to add Clint to our club. He's a plus defensive player at two positions, has gap and some home run power and has great makeup. It's tough to give up a power arm like Felipe's, but Clint fits a need that we had to address."
This will be significantly expanded on throughout the next few days, I'm sure, but here's the immediate take: I like it. In another Alyson Footer tweet, Wade said this doesn't really affect Keppinger or Manzella, but of course it does. Paulino had a great arm, when it was healthy. Problem is, it hasn't really been healthy.
Is Barmes the player he was in 2005 (.289/.330/.434) or even 2008 (.290/.322/.468)? No. His OPS since 2005 has been .598, .534, .790, .734, and .656. And that's playing in Colorado. Should we be concerned about his ability to produce? Sure. But the Astros just made a low-risk move that might pay off. If Felipe Paulino turns into Ubaldo Jimenez, we can all chalk this up to kerrazy Ed Wade shenanigans, but name a player - other than 2008 Lidge - who Wade got rid of that went on to be a star.
It's my guess that Barmes is now your de facto SS1, and Manzella is SS2. Manzella will have to tear the cover off the ball, or Barmes will have to show up with poop stains on the outside of his pants, in Spring Training.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Koby Clemens up for Sportsmanship Award
So Koby Clemens is the Astros' nominee for the Arizona Fall League Dernell Stenson Sportsmanship Award.
Here's the trite paragraph on Clemens from MLB.com:
Roger's son continues to make a slow path up the Astros' ladder. The 2005 eighth-round pick spent the year with Corpus Christi in the Double-A Texas League and was a league All-Star for the second straight year, finishing with 26 homers and 85 RBIs. Though he hasn't shown much power in the AFL, he did have his average up to .288 after 18 games.
Here's the trite paragraph on Clemens from MLB.com:
Roger's son continues to make a slow path up the Astros' ladder. The 2005 eighth-round pick spent the year with Corpus Christi in the Double-A Texas League and was a league All-Star for the second straight year, finishing with 26 homers and 85 RBIs. Though he hasn't shown much power in the AFL, he did have his average up to .288 after 18 games.
Meet your new Oklahoma City RedHawks manager
Brian McTaggart says that the Astros have hired Tony DeFrancesco as their Triple-A manager in Oklahoma City.
The B-R Bullpen has some background for you. The short version is that he had managed in Oakland's organization since 1994, and with Oakland's Triple-A franchise in Sacramento since 2003, and won three league championships in five years. His overall record of 580-427 (.576) in the PCL is pretty impressive, too.
In 2008, he was Oakland's Third Base Coach.
Within this McTaggart blog post we read that Burt Hooten and Keith Bodie will keep their jobs as pitching coach and hitting coach, respectively.
Quotes!
Director of Player Development/Ex-Ricky Bennett Fred Nelson:
"Tony is a proven winner and developer of talent at the Triple A level. He brings a lot of personal pride and respect for the game and has an aggressive managing style with a reputation for developing disciplined players with winning mentalities. He is a very hard worker with high expectations for himself and for the players he manages. We're excited to have Tony on board."
The B-R Bullpen has some background for you. The short version is that he had managed in Oakland's organization since 1994, and with Oakland's Triple-A franchise in Sacramento since 2003, and won three league championships in five years. His overall record of 580-427 (.576) in the PCL is pretty impressive, too. In 2008, he was Oakland's Third Base Coach.
Within this McTaggart blog post we read that Burt Hooten and Keith Bodie will keep their jobs as pitching coach and hitting coach, respectively.
Quotes!
Director of Player Development/Ex-Ricky Bennett Fred Nelson:
"Tony is a proven winner and developer of talent at the Triple A level. He brings a lot of personal pride and respect for the game and has an aggressive managing style with a reputation for developing disciplined players with winning mentalities. He is a very hard worker with high expectations for himself and for the players he manages. We're excited to have Tony on board."
Mills gets 2nd-place vote
So even though Bud Black got the NL Manager of the Year award today, Brad Mills got himself a 2nd-place vote.
Want to see the new Sugar Land ballpark?
Here are some sweet artist renderings of the new Sugar Land stadium.
(Huge captip to Ballpark Digest for the image)
(Huge captip to Ballpark Digest for the image)
Yeah, TMZ is a bunch of pricks
Yesterday I got tricked. It doesn't happen often. But I refused to link to it. However, Larry Brown Sports basically gives you the story of why I'll pretty much never visit TMZ again.
This no-good, horrible, terrible, very boring offseason
Jeebus. This is terrible, isn't it? I mean, for crying out loud, we just posted about how Marco Freaking Scutaro was expendable, and then completely discounted the possibility of acquiring him from the Red Sox.
What the heck are we going to do? There are no rumors of any substance, save for the seemingly-annual possibility of Drayton selling the team. But the truth of it is, this is the most boring off-season in quite some time. Over the past few years, we've at least had a World Series appearance, the collapse of said World Series team, trading for Miguel Tejada (even the bad decisions are noteworthy), trading Lidge, reshaping the bullpen, a new manager, and a host of other notable events. At least there was the chance that the Astros would be making some headlines.
Unless the Astros come out of absolutely nowhere and make a major move, this is about all we have to go on - at least until arbitration time, which can drag on for weeks.
So what in the world will keep you checking Astros County this winter?
What the heck are we going to do? There are no rumors of any substance, save for the seemingly-annual possibility of Drayton selling the team. But the truth of it is, this is the most boring off-season in quite some time. Over the past few years, we've at least had a World Series appearance, the collapse of said World Series team, trading for Miguel Tejada (even the bad decisions are noteworthy), trading Lidge, reshaping the bullpen, a new manager, and a host of other notable events. At least there was the chance that the Astros would be making some headlines.
Unless the Astros come out of absolutely nowhere and make a major move, this is about all we have to go on - at least until arbitration time, which can drag on for weeks.
So what in the world will keep you checking Astros County this winter?
So, Marco Scutaro might be available
Continuing a theme of just naming any shortstop who might be available as a possible upgrade for the Astros, the Red Sox may be willing to deal Marco Scutaro because, you know, Jed Lowrie is the Iron Horse of the 21st Century.
Yeah, he's old. 35, in fact. And he has posted OPS' of .789 and .721 over the last two years, respectively.
Hell no, we're not advocating trading for Marco Scutaro, but still, there's nothing else going on...
Yeah, he's old. 35, in fact. And he has posted OPS' of .789 and .721 over the last two years, respectively.
Hell no, we're not advocating trading for Marco Scutaro, but still, there's nothing else going on...
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Oh, here you go
According to Jerry Crasnick, the Astros have expressed interest in pitcher Jeff Francis. Of course, they're not the only ones, but it's still something.
Francis will be 30 in January and didn't pitch in 2009, and was 4-6 with a 5.00 ERA / 1.36 WHIP, with 67K:23BB in 2010 for Colorado. He's coming off a 4-year/$13.25m contract, and is a free agent for the first time this off-season.
Francis will be 30 in January and didn't pitch in 2009, and was 4-6 with a 5.00 ERA / 1.36 WHIP, with 67K:23BB in 2010 for Colorado. He's coming off a 4-year/$13.25m contract, and is a free agent for the first time this off-season.
Backe to pitch in 2011?
Backe's agent Brian Grieper told Jon Paul Morosi that he intends to pitch in 2011. Morosi tagged the tweet with "#Houston" and "#Astros." So...is that a hint?
Astros County's Guide to Cooperstown
So The Constable returned last night from a four-day pilgrimage to Cooperstown. Here's your Guide To Cooperstown.
Travel
Cooperstown is pretty much in the middle of nowhere. Four hours northwest of New York City. Four hours west of Boston. If you're making Cooperstown a stop on some AL East tour, then the air travel part isn't going to be that big of a deal, but your only real options for getting to Cooperstown are through Syracuse or Albany. Southwest routinely runs specials to Albany, which is about an hour-and-a-half drive to Cooperstown. Syracuse, which has a JetBlue outpost is about two hours from Cooperstown. And unless you know somebody up there, you'll want to rent a car.
Lodging
One thing to keep in mind is that there aren't any chains (hotels, restaurants, anything) in the Village of Cooperstown itself. Except for a CVS on Main Street, which is almost like everyone woke up one morning and there was a CVS there. No one knows how it got there. So your options for staying in Cooperstown (highly recommended, by the way) is a hotel just south of Cooperstown, where there's a Holiday Inn Express and a Howard Johnson's. Or you could do it up right and stay at a B&B in the Village itself - might I recommend the Inn at Cooperstown or Nelson Avenue Pines - both are good options.
Timing Your Trip
I've been to Cooperstown in the summer and in the winter. Go in the winter. They have this thing in the summer called Dreams Park, in which 96 Little League teams descend on Cooperstown (population: 2000-ish) with their parents, grandparents, coaches, brothers, sisters, cousins each week. Seriously, it's like every Little Leaguer has a Lebron-style entourage. If you go in the winter, you don't have to deal with that. On a random weekday in November, you can pretty much have the Hall of Fame to yourself. And if you're looking for a shrine, it's always better when it's quiet.
Day One
Breakfast: Go to Stagecoach Coffee on Pioneer Street. It's a small space, but they have the best coffee and breakfast sandwiches. (Get "The Usual.").
Hall of Fame - 2nd Floor. On the 2nd Floor of the Hall of Fame is the Grandstand Theater, and the timeline begins around the corner. I'm assuming you're like me, and you'll want to read absolutely every label on every artifact. So when you get to the Diamond Dreams exhibit on the history of women in baseball, it'll be about lunchtime, and your bagel with cream cheese and sliced tomato will have worn off. And because you've spent all your morning in the incredible Pride & Prejudice exhibit, detailing the African-American experience in baseball through Jackie Robinson. You can leave the Hall of Fame for lunch and return for free if you get your hand stamped.
Lunch: Also on Pioneer Street (but across Main Street) is a Chinese restaurant called Foo Kin John. Not kidding. It's good food, and it's not very expensive. And there's the added bonus of the very real possibility that a seven-year old will ring you up. Get a picture.
After lunch: Continue on the 2nd Floor. You'll exit Diamond Dreams and find yourself in the part of the timeline that covers the Golden Era of Baseball. This is 100% true, if you lived in New York City. If you're an Astros fan - or a fan of any team except the Giants, Dodgers, and Yankees from the 1940s-50s, you'll have to keep walking, but you'll still touch Joe DiMaggio's locker, just because you can. Marvel at the new Viva Baseball exhibit, celebrating the Latino influence on baseball, and end the 2nd floor with the Today's Game Locker Room, where they have a locker for all 30 teams. Weep at the artifacts in the Astros locker.
Dinner: Might we suggest Cooley's Stone House Tavern. Beer on tap, and fresh burgers.
Day Two
Breakfast: Since you've already been to Stagecoach, try the Cooperstown Diner. It's one of the smallest diners you'll ever see, but you can't beat the price and quality. Then get coffee at Stagecoach.
Hall of Fame - 3rd Floor. This is where you'll find exhibits on the ballparks (see if you can spot the nod to Minute Maid Park), records, baseballs from every no-hitter since 1940, a new exhibit on Hank Aaron, the pins and rings from the World Series winners (pay special attention to the 2003 Marlins ring), and an exhibit on baseball cards.
Lunch: Doubleday Cafe. It's a brick-walled cafe, also with beer on tap, and excellent buffalo wings. You're on vacation, so what do you care?
Hall of Fame - 1st Floor. You could probably spend all day just walking around the Hall of Fame's Plaque Gallery. It's also the actual Hall of Fame. Everything you've been walking around for the past day and a half is the Museum. There are a number of exhibits around up the ramp (broadcasters, baseball and the movies, etc) but a must-see is the Research Center. The Hall of Fame has a file for every person who has played one inning of Major League Baseball, so if you have a drunk uncle who says he played for the '61 Yankees, now's your chance to prove him wrong (this is, of course, if you've never heard of Baseball-Reference, but it's way cooler than going to a web page.)
Dinner: If you've come with your significant other, you should throw them a bone for dragging them around the Hall of Fame for two days. Take them to Alex & Ika, and be prepared to spend a decent chunk of change - but it's completely worth every penny.
Souvenirs
You can't buy a pair of pants in Cooperstown. But you can get bats engraved, Don Mattingly t-shirts, Red Sox socks, and various and sundry items from the major teams (Yankees, Mets, Red Sox, Cubs, and some Cardinals gear - if you're like me, you'd rather sleep under a blanket rubbed with smallpox than buy a Cardinals shirt). Of course, the Astros are not a major team, so good luck getting anything other than a Nolan Ryan shirt or an Astros hat. If you're looking for an excellent selection of Astros hats, and hats from the minors, go to Mickey's Place at the corner of Pioneer and Main - and get a bat engraved with your name on it while you're at it.
That'll do it. Any questions?
Travel
Cooperstown is pretty much in the middle of nowhere. Four hours northwest of New York City. Four hours west of Boston. If you're making Cooperstown a stop on some AL East tour, then the air travel part isn't going to be that big of a deal, but your only real options for getting to Cooperstown are through Syracuse or Albany. Southwest routinely runs specials to Albany, which is about an hour-and-a-half drive to Cooperstown. Syracuse, which has a JetBlue outpost is about two hours from Cooperstown. And unless you know somebody up there, you'll want to rent a car.
Lodging
One thing to keep in mind is that there aren't any chains (hotels, restaurants, anything) in the Village of Cooperstown itself. Except for a CVS on Main Street, which is almost like everyone woke up one morning and there was a CVS there. No one knows how it got there. So your options for staying in Cooperstown (highly recommended, by the way) is a hotel just south of Cooperstown, where there's a Holiday Inn Express and a Howard Johnson's. Or you could do it up right and stay at a B&B in the Village itself - might I recommend the Inn at Cooperstown or Nelson Avenue Pines - both are good options.
Timing Your Trip
I've been to Cooperstown in the summer and in the winter. Go in the winter. They have this thing in the summer called Dreams Park, in which 96 Little League teams descend on Cooperstown (population: 2000-ish) with their parents, grandparents, coaches, brothers, sisters, cousins each week. Seriously, it's like every Little Leaguer has a Lebron-style entourage. If you go in the winter, you don't have to deal with that. On a random weekday in November, you can pretty much have the Hall of Fame to yourself. And if you're looking for a shrine, it's always better when it's quiet.
Day One
Breakfast: Go to Stagecoach Coffee on Pioneer Street. It's a small space, but they have the best coffee and breakfast sandwiches. (Get "The Usual.").
Hall of Fame - 2nd Floor. On the 2nd Floor of the Hall of Fame is the Grandstand Theater, and the timeline begins around the corner. I'm assuming you're like me, and you'll want to read absolutely every label on every artifact. So when you get to the Diamond Dreams exhibit on the history of women in baseball, it'll be about lunchtime, and your bagel with cream cheese and sliced tomato will have worn off. And because you've spent all your morning in the incredible Pride & Prejudice exhibit, detailing the African-American experience in baseball through Jackie Robinson. You can leave the Hall of Fame for lunch and return for free if you get your hand stamped.
Lunch: Also on Pioneer Street (but across Main Street) is a Chinese restaurant called Foo Kin John. Not kidding. It's good food, and it's not very expensive. And there's the added bonus of the very real possibility that a seven-year old will ring you up. Get a picture.
After lunch: Continue on the 2nd Floor. You'll exit Diamond Dreams and find yourself in the part of the timeline that covers the Golden Era of Baseball. This is 100% true, if you lived in New York City. If you're an Astros fan - or a fan of any team except the Giants, Dodgers, and Yankees from the 1940s-50s, you'll have to keep walking, but you'll still touch Joe DiMaggio's locker, just because you can. Marvel at the new Viva Baseball exhibit, celebrating the Latino influence on baseball, and end the 2nd floor with the Today's Game Locker Room, where they have a locker for all 30 teams. Weep at the artifacts in the Astros locker.
Dinner: Might we suggest Cooley's Stone House Tavern. Beer on tap, and fresh burgers.
Day Two
Breakfast: Since you've already been to Stagecoach, try the Cooperstown Diner. It's one of the smallest diners you'll ever see, but you can't beat the price and quality. Then get coffee at Stagecoach.
Hall of Fame - 3rd Floor. This is where you'll find exhibits on the ballparks (see if you can spot the nod to Minute Maid Park), records, baseballs from every no-hitter since 1940, a new exhibit on Hank Aaron, the pins and rings from the World Series winners (pay special attention to the 2003 Marlins ring), and an exhibit on baseball cards.
Lunch: Doubleday Cafe. It's a brick-walled cafe, also with beer on tap, and excellent buffalo wings. You're on vacation, so what do you care?
Hall of Fame - 1st Floor. You could probably spend all day just walking around the Hall of Fame's Plaque Gallery. It's also the actual Hall of Fame. Everything you've been walking around for the past day and a half is the Museum. There are a number of exhibits around up the ramp (broadcasters, baseball and the movies, etc) but a must-see is the Research Center. The Hall of Fame has a file for every person who has played one inning of Major League Baseball, so if you have a drunk uncle who says he played for the '61 Yankees, now's your chance to prove him wrong (this is, of course, if you've never heard of Baseball-Reference, but it's way cooler than going to a web page.)
Dinner: If you've come with your significant other, you should throw them a bone for dragging them around the Hall of Fame for two days. Take them to Alex & Ika, and be prepared to spend a decent chunk of change - but it's completely worth every penny.
Souvenirs
You can't buy a pair of pants in Cooperstown. But you can get bats engraved, Don Mattingly t-shirts, Red Sox socks, and various and sundry items from the major teams (Yankees, Mets, Red Sox, Cubs, and some Cardinals gear - if you're like me, you'd rather sleep under a blanket rubbed with smallpox than buy a Cardinals shirt). Of course, the Astros are not a major team, so good luck getting anything other than a Nolan Ryan shirt or an Astros hat. If you're looking for an excellent selection of Astros hats, and hats from the minors, go to Mickey's Place at the corner of Pioneer and Main - and get a bat engraved with your name on it while you're at it.
That'll do it. Any questions?
Berkman has talked to eight teams, none have talked back
Here's another one from Dalati, as he says that Berkman has talked to eight teams, with no formal offers being made.
Berkman:
“Unfortunately, one of them was the Astros and they declined interest. That was a little disappointing...
...I’ll be fine anywhere. It’s more of a family consideration. As far as my kids…we have to figure out what we do about school, where they’re going to live. It’s the first time we’ve had to consider things like that. That adds an element of anxiety there. But I know we’ll be fine and we’ll adapt wherever we end up...
...I wouldn’t be completely opposed to the idea of playing in the American league, but I’d certainly like to stay in the National League. I would definitely like to play a position. I don’t want to go to a place and lose a hundred games or anything like that. Certainly that’s part of the consideration.”
I can see Berkman signing with a team in January. How about you?
Berkman:
“Unfortunately, one of them was the Astros and they declined interest. That was a little disappointing...
...I’ll be fine anywhere. It’s more of a family consideration. As far as my kids…we have to figure out what we do about school, where they’re going to live. It’s the first time we’ve had to consider things like that. That adds an element of anxiety there. But I know we’ll be fine and we’ll adapt wherever we end up...
...I wouldn’t be completely opposed to the idea of playing in the American league, but I’d certainly like to stay in the National League. I would definitely like to play a position. I don’t want to go to a place and lose a hundred games or anything like that. Certainly that’s part of the consideration.”
I can see Berkman signing with a team in January. How about you?
YOU can buy the Astros for the low price of $700 million
Dave Dalati says that Drayton is willing to sell the Astros, and would even do it for $700 million.
Former Astros on the move
The only moves being made this off-season so far is by players from the Astros going somewhere else. Like
Yorman Bazardo to the Twins.
Geoff Blum to the Diamondbacks.
And from the Wayback Machine, Taylor Buchholz to the Red Sox.
Yorman Bazardo to the Twins.
Geoff Blum to the Diamondbacks.
And from the Wayback Machine, Taylor Buchholz to the Red Sox.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Bourn wins Gold Glove
Michael Bourn will get a nice little bump in salary again, thanks to his second straight Gold Glove award.
We've tried for about ten minutes now, but can't put it much more succinctly than Crawfish Boxes writer David Coleman put it:
It's great that Bourn won the GG, but that should just validate his defensive prowess, not tell us that he's good.
We've tried for about ten minutes now, but can't put it much more succinctly than Crawfish Boxes writer David Coleman put it:
It's great that Bourn won the GG, but that should just validate his defensive prowess, not tell us that he's good.
Hardball Talk's Best and Worst Astros uniform
Here's an entertaining read, as Craig Calcaterra continues his Best And Worst Uniforms series with our Astros.
Read it.
(Pause)
Agree, or disagree?
Read it.
(Pause)
Agree, or disagree?
Cliff Lee's price tag
Jon Heyman is standing by yesterday's tweet that the Astros could make a run at Cliff Lee.
How about that price tag?
Lee is said by sources to be looking to repeat his good friend CC Sabathia's $161-million, seven-year deal with the Yankees, numbers that could all but eliminate every team but the Yankees, who imported Sabathia at that price and are very happy to have done so.
And then he lists the Yankees as prohibitive favorites to land him. Don't do it, Cliff!
How about that price tag?
Lee is said by sources to be looking to repeat his good friend CC Sabathia's $161-million, seven-year deal with the Yankees, numbers that could all but eliminate every team but the Yankees, who imported Sabathia at that price and are very happy to have done so.
And then he lists the Yankees as prohibitive favorites to land him. Don't do it, Cliff!
The $100m question
Yesterday, Jon Heyman tweeted that the Astros may make a run at Cliff Lee, who we're all pretty sure that only about three or four teams can afford - and nary a one is in Houston. Some people are clamoring to spend $Insane on Carl Crawford, and move Carlos Lee to 1B for 2011-12. So that brings us to an interesting question for you, dear readers:
Astros Minor-League Free Agents
Baseball America has a list of all the Astros' minor-league free agents for our perusal.
Here are the 20 from Eddie's Farm:
Triple-A
RHP Roy Corcoran, RHP Shane Loux, RHP Jonah Bayliss, LHP Andy Van Hekken, C Edwin Bellorin, 1B Chris Shelton, 2B Matt Kata, SS Edwin Maysonet
Double-A
RHP Erick Abreu, RHP Evan Englebrook, RHP Jeremy Johnson, RHP Jailen Peguero, LHP Polin Trinidad, C Lou Santangelo, 3B Jhon Florentino, SS Marcos Cabral, OF David Cook
High-A
LHP Edwin Walker
Short-Season A
C Buck Afenir
Rookie
LHP Dieudone Paul
Here are the 20 from Eddie's Farm:
Triple-A
RHP Roy Corcoran, RHP Shane Loux, RHP Jonah Bayliss, LHP Andy Van Hekken, C Edwin Bellorin, 1B Chris Shelton, 2B Matt Kata, SS Edwin Maysonet
Double-A
RHP Erick Abreu, RHP Evan Englebrook, RHP Jeremy Johnson, RHP Jailen Peguero, LHP Polin Trinidad, C Lou Santangelo, 3B Jhon Florentino, SS Marcos Cabral, OF David Cook
High-A
LHP Edwin Walker
Short-Season A
C Buck Afenir
Rookie
LHP Dieudone Paul
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Today in WTF...
SI's Jon Heyman just tweeted:
Astros may make a run at cliff lee. Yankees remain obvious favorite. other suitors include cubs, bosox, angels, dodgers, phils.
Good gravy. With a projected pricetag of $160 million, how in the world will this happen?
Astros may make a run at cliff lee. Yankees remain obvious favorite. other suitors include cubs, bosox, angels, dodgers, phils.
Good gravy. With a projected pricetag of $160 million, how in the world will this happen?
More FanGraphs, on Jordan Lyles
FanGraphs' Bryan Smith has a post up today on the Astros "Must-Follow Prospect," Jordan Lyles. First, though, your obligatory "Houston's farm system sucks" qualification:
Cynically, it’s hard for me to see more than one must-follow prospect in the Astros farm system. This is an organization that didn’t value the draft prior to 2010, failing to sign numerous players that went on to be drafted highly elsewhere, and then put together a 2010 draft that I don’t think valued upside properly. The team is starting to build a nice bit of pitching depth, and should one day be able to field an above-average rotation. But for spots on a down-the-line depth chart to be depended on acquired talent from outside the organization is damning.
On Lyles and that rumored September Call-Up:
It was a benefit to the fan base that Lyles struggled by traditional numbers in a six-start trial at Triple-A, because before then, his manager was talking about a potential September call-up. The team correctly resisted that urge, and they must do the same out of Spring Training to ensure the pitcher is around in 2017. It might only be until then, said without snark, that the team is contending again.
The conclusion:
I believe in Jordan Lyles, because I believe a change-up might be the best second option a prospect can have, and Lyles has one of the best. He’s also a potential innings eater and a guy with fastball command. Give me those three things, and it’s really easy to plot a path toward 3 WAR, and not impossible to project a season or two around 6 WAR. His upside is limited because he’ll never threaten to strike out a batter per inning or post a groundball rate of 50%, but he’ll reach the Major Leagues at 20 with command-in-tow, and that makes him a special prospect.
Oh, there's a whole bunch in between, which is very much worth your time.
Cynically, it’s hard for me to see more than one must-follow prospect in the Astros farm system. This is an organization that didn’t value the draft prior to 2010, failing to sign numerous players that went on to be drafted highly elsewhere, and then put together a 2010 draft that I don’t think valued upside properly. The team is starting to build a nice bit of pitching depth, and should one day be able to field an above-average rotation. But for spots on a down-the-line depth chart to be depended on acquired talent from outside the organization is damning.
On Lyles and that rumored September Call-Up:
It was a benefit to the fan base that Lyles struggled by traditional numbers in a six-start trial at Triple-A, because before then, his manager was talking about a potential September call-up. The team correctly resisted that urge, and they must do the same out of Spring Training to ensure the pitcher is around in 2017. It might only be until then, said without snark, that the team is contending again.
The conclusion:
I believe in Jordan Lyles, because I believe a change-up might be the best second option a prospect can have, and Lyles has one of the best. He’s also a potential innings eater and a guy with fastball command. Give me those three things, and it’s really easy to plot a path toward 3 WAR, and not impossible to project a season or two around 6 WAR. His upside is limited because he’ll never threaten to strike out a batter per inning or post a groundball rate of 50%, but he’ll reach the Major Leagues at 20 with command-in-tow, and that makes him a special prospect.
Oh, there's a whole bunch in between, which is very much worth your time.
FanGraphs' Top 10 Astros Prospects
And FanGraphs throws us a bone by listing the Astros' Top 10 prospects. We'll provide the list, and an excerpt from the explanation. You click the link for the full version.
1. Jordan Lyles
Lyles doesn’t have a huge ceiling but he profiles as a durable No. 3 starter.
2. Delino DeShields, Jr.
He should open 2011 in low-A ball and could move relatively quickly if his defense catches up to his bat.
3. Tanner Bushue
Bushue has a four-pitch repertoire and projects to be a solid No. 3 starter. He displays good control for his age...
4. Jiovanni Mier
Mier’s power took a significant dip last year and needs to look to drive the ball more consistently to the gaps.
5. Mike Kvasnicka
He has a chance to be a solid regular but he’s not likely to be a star player.
6. Mike Foltynewicz
Foltynewicz has a higher ceiling than (Bushue) because he projects to throw in the mid-90s with a plus changeup.
7. Jay Austin
After posting a .326 wOBA in the (Cal) league in 2010 as a teenager, Austin could return in 2011 – at least for the first two or three months. Keep tabs on this prospect as a 2011 breakout candidate.
8. J.D. Martinez
Martinez isn’t a true slugger but he projects to hit 20 homers in a full MLB season. Defensively, he’s not a great fielder and is still learning to read the ball. He also has chronic arthritis in his knees, which could limit his range over time.
9. Vincent Velasquez
His delivery appeared to put a lot of stress on his pitching elbow, so the organization may have to re-work his throwing motion upon his return.
10. Jonathan Villar
His lack of consistent contact is the largest weakness in his offensive game right now, as he posted a strikeout rate of 27.8% in low-A and 38.9% in high-A.
I find it interesting that, with the exception of Jay Austin, all of these players were drafted - or acquired, in Lyles' and Villar's case - in 2009 and 2010. What say you?
1. Jordan Lyles
Lyles doesn’t have a huge ceiling but he profiles as a durable No. 3 starter.
2. Delino DeShields, Jr.
He should open 2011 in low-A ball and could move relatively quickly if his defense catches up to his bat.
3. Tanner Bushue
Bushue has a four-pitch repertoire and projects to be a solid No. 3 starter. He displays good control for his age...
4. Jiovanni Mier
Mier’s power took a significant dip last year and needs to look to drive the ball more consistently to the gaps.
5. Mike Kvasnicka
He has a chance to be a solid regular but he’s not likely to be a star player.
6. Mike Foltynewicz
Foltynewicz has a higher ceiling than (Bushue) because he projects to throw in the mid-90s with a plus changeup.
7. Jay Austin
After posting a .326 wOBA in the (Cal) league in 2010 as a teenager, Austin could return in 2011 – at least for the first two or three months. Keep tabs on this prospect as a 2011 breakout candidate.
8. J.D. Martinez
Martinez isn’t a true slugger but he projects to hit 20 homers in a full MLB season. Defensively, he’s not a great fielder and is still learning to read the ball. He also has chronic arthritis in his knees, which could limit his range over time.
9. Vincent Velasquez
His delivery appeared to put a lot of stress on his pitching elbow, so the organization may have to re-work his throwing motion upon his return.
10. Jonathan Villar
His lack of consistent contact is the largest weakness in his offensive game right now, as he posted a strikeout rate of 27.8% in low-A and 38.9% in high-A.
I find it interesting that, with the exception of Jay Austin, all of these players were drafted - or acquired, in Lyles' and Villar's case - in 2009 and 2010. What say you?
Winter Ball Stats
Given that it's been a while since there have been any posts with numbers whatsoever, here's a little rundown on your Astros prospects still playing baseball, (30AB/8IP minimum)
Leaders for your New York-Penn League Tri-City ValleyCats! Hitters are organized by OPS (min 40ABs), Pitchers by WHIP (min 10IP).
Hitters
Pitchers
Click Here for a full list of players/stats.
Leaders for your New York-Penn League Tri-City ValleyCats! Hitters are organized by OPS (min 40ABs), Pitchers by WHIP (min 10IP).
Hitters
| Name | League | ABs | Avg/OBP/SLG | K:BB | XBH-RBI |
| Clemens | AFL | 59 | .322/.355/.492 | 16:3 | 6-12 |
| Barnes | AFL | 58 | .293/.328/.534 | 16:2 | 6-13 |
| Locke | VWL | 57 | .246/.306/.368 | 9:5 | 4-9 |
| Austin | AFL | 45 | .156/.269/.156 | 9:7 | 0-7 |
| Bellorin | VWL | 43 | .256/.298/.349 | 8:3 | 2-4 |
| Maysonet | PWL | 37 | .243/.300/.270 | 6:2 | 1-1 |
| F. Hernandez | VWL | 35 | .171/.275/.229 | 6:5 | 2-5 |
Pitchers
| Name | League | IP | ERA/WHIP | K:BB |
| L, Cruz | PWL | 15 | 3.00/1.67 | 8:6 |
| K. Greenwalt | AFL | 13.1 | 2.70/1.28 | 9:3 |
| A. Van Hekken | DWL | 10.1 | 3.48/1.45 | 6:3 |
| G. Garcia | VWL | 9 | 3.00/1.11 | 6:2 |
| P. Urckfitz | AFL | 8 | 2.25/0.75 | 5:2 |
Click Here for a full list of players/stats.
Brandon Barnes hit a big fly last night
Congrats to Brandon Barnes, who hit a 3-run bomb in yesterday's AFL game against Phoenix.
So far this fall, Barnes is hitting .293/.328/.534, with 16K:2BB in 14 games for the Javelinas. Barnes has an extra-base hit in five of his last eight games.
So far this fall, Barnes is hitting .293/.328/.534, with 16K:2BB in 14 games for the Javelinas. Barnes has an extra-base hit in five of his last eight games.
Run-DMc once gave the government a $1.5m refund
Here's a heart-warming article in the Montgomery Advertiser, in which one "Drayton McClane" refunded the government $1.5m.
Monday, November 8, 2010
Manzella got sick, cut
Zach Levine's blog post tells everyone who will listen that Tommy Manzella contracted an illness while playing in the Dominican. And if that wasn't bad enough, he then got released.
Also, with a captip to Levine, you can read this fine interview with Tri-City manager Jim Pankovits.
Also, with a captip to Levine, you can read this fine interview with Tri-City manager Jim Pankovits.
Greg Lucas isn't exactly brimming with excitement over Mike Barnett
Greg Lucas has a new post over at FSH on Mike Barnett:
Let us start off by saying that he has a one thing in common with most of us. He never played major league baseball. In fact he never even played professional baseball at all. An injury during his collegiate days at Ohio University to a shoulder ending his playing hopes. Instead he turned to becoming a real student of the game. When I say that I mean a student of everything about the game...
...Mike Barnett will be no Jeff Bagwell. He won't even be a Sean Berry since he has no personal experiences to relay to his hitters. But he has a keen eye according to all reports and --as they say with players--is fundamentally sound.
The Astros hiring of Mike did nothing for season ticket sales. But if he can help make the club a better offensive team that is what will sell tickets.
Don't ever confuse big names with big results as coaches. Some work out fine. But many of the very best pitching coaches, hitting coaches and managers have come from the ranks of the "who's he's" when they were players.
Let us start off by saying that he has a one thing in common with most of us. He never played major league baseball. In fact he never even played professional baseball at all. An injury during his collegiate days at Ohio University to a shoulder ending his playing hopes. Instead he turned to becoming a real student of the game. When I say that I mean a student of everything about the game...
...Mike Barnett will be no Jeff Bagwell. He won't even be a Sean Berry since he has no personal experiences to relay to his hitters. But he has a keen eye according to all reports and --as they say with players--is fundamentally sound.
The Astros hiring of Mike did nothing for season ticket sales. But if he can help make the club a better offensive team that is what will sell tickets.
Don't ever confuse big names with big results as coaches. Some work out fine. But many of the very best pitching coaches, hitting coaches and managers have come from the ranks of the "who's he's" when they were players.
Tim Purpura got himself an award!
Baseball America says that Tim Purpura was given the Arizona Fall League's 2010 Roland Hemond award prior to the Rising Stars game at Surprise Stadium on Saturday.
No confirmation yet on Purpura's signing Hemond to a 6-year deal...
No confirmation yet on Purpura's signing Hemond to a 6-year deal...
Details starting to emerge on the new Astros RSN
David Barron is getting some details regarding the Astros/Rockets RSN, scheduled to begin in 2012. Some notes:
-Astros games begin broadcasting in 2012.
-The Astros and Rockets will own 77.5% of the deal, worth over $1 billion.
A person with knowledge of the negotiations notes (via Barron) that Fox offered a similar deal - $1b + $200m signing bonus - but left out what Comcast was willing to provide:
"The only thing that wasn't offered was ownership (in the network)."
For those of you wondering how this affects your ability to throw inanimate objects at the television 162 times a year:
Comcast and the teams will have to negotiate carriage agreements with satellite and fiber providers and with other cable systems, which have about 120,000 customers in the Houston DMA. They also will have to negotiate with Time Warner Cable in major markets such as San Antonio and Austin.
-Astros games begin broadcasting in 2012.
-The Astros and Rockets will own 77.5% of the deal, worth over $1 billion.
A person with knowledge of the negotiations notes (via Barron) that Fox offered a similar deal - $1b + $200m signing bonus - but left out what Comcast was willing to provide:
"The only thing that wasn't offered was ownership (in the network)."
For those of you wondering how this affects your ability to throw inanimate objects at the television 162 times a year:
Comcast and the teams will have to negotiate carriage agreements with satellite and fiber providers and with other cable systems, which have about 120,000 customers in the Houston DMA. They also will have to negotiate with Time Warner Cable in major markets such as San Antonio and Austin.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Astros re-sign Vallejo
With a captip to Baseball America, the Astros have re-signed 2B Jose Vallejo, who had about as bad a season as one can have. Of course, he wasn't supposed to play until next year, anyway, but there you go.
Enjoy those five C-Notes, Pat
By virtue of winning the Arizona Fall League's Rising Stars Game, Pat Urckfitz - and the rest of the team - got a $500 bonus.
Urckfitz (posting the whole paragraph):
"It definitely was different from other games out here, more fans, different atmosphere," said lefthander Patrick Urckfitz (Astros), who as a non-drafted free agent was one of the more unlikely Rising Stars roster members. "I signed for $15,000, so for me the extra $500 definitely helps."
Urckfitz (posting the whole paragraph):
"It definitely was different from other games out here, more fans, different atmosphere," said lefthander Patrick Urckfitz (Astros), who as a non-drafted free agent was one of the more unlikely Rising Stars roster members. "I signed for $15,000, so for me the extra $500 definitely helps."
Nick Cafardo's Free Agent Destinations
Nick Cafardo's Sunday column ranks the top free agents and projects a possible destination. We already know that the Astros won't be major players in the free agent market, but Cafardo does see the Astros as a possible destination for:
SP Jon Garland:
He did a terrific job for the Padres eating up innings and lending stability. He could do the same for a number of teams, such as the Nationals, Brewers, Mets, Astros, or Rockies. A return to San Diego also is possible.
We typically discount any rumor that links the Astros to a pitcher, as they're pretty much set there for 2011. Middle infielder? Different story. And Cafardo puts the price tag on Carl Crawford at 6 years/$120m. So don't even look at Carl Crawford. He's the cheerleader you're not allowed to even dream about dating.
SP Jon Garland:
He did a terrific job for the Padres eating up innings and lending stability. He could do the same for a number of teams, such as the Nationals, Brewers, Mets, Astros, or Rockies. A return to San Diego also is possible.
We typically discount any rumor that links the Astros to a pitcher, as they're pretty much set there for 2011. Middle infielder? Different story. And Cafardo puts the price tag on Carl Crawford at 6 years/$120m. So don't even look at Carl Crawford. He's the cheerleader you're not allowed to even dream about dating.
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