Information is slowly coming out as to who will be called up tomorrow when the rosters expand to 40.
Obviously there are 25 guys on the roster now. We already know that Aaron Boone will be activated tomorrow, and Doug Brocail, and Wesley Wright will be added to the roster, as well.
Now we find out Billy Sadler is only minor-leaguer who has been confirmed to come up to the Big Club, but it won't happen until Round Rock's season is officially over (as opposed to Theoretically Over, as it has been since about August 1.)
Why Billy Sadler? Because it's in his contract:
“A pre-condition of (Sadler) signing with us was that if he was healthy that we would bring him up in September. He's healthy. Unless something changes between now and what probably will be the end of the minor league season we'll bring him up.”
So that means there are 11 spots available to come up, and you have to be on the 40-man roster to be eligible for a September call-up. (So the Astros couldn't reward Jordan Lyles with a few weeks of chartered flights, even if Ed Wade was in the reward business, which he has made very clear he is not.) Who is on the 40-man roster, yet in the minors?
Pitchers:
Brad James
Chris Sampson
Polin Trinidad
Catchers:
J.R. Towles
Infielders:
German Duran
Matt Kata
Tommy Manzella
Jose Vallejo
Outfielders:
Brian Bogusevic
Yordany Ramirez
That's ten players. Enough Major League to go around for everyone. But it won't happen. I'm guessing Sampson comes up, Towles, too. I would like to see Manzella and Bogusevic, but Manzella might be more likely. I'm still not sure why Wade wouldn't want to use the September Call-Up more inclusively. At the very least it could provide a motivating factor for the minor-leaguers to keep working, and to give them some experience around established veterans. Bogusevic wouldn't want to hear from Hunter Pence? Manzella wouldn't want to talk to Tejada and see his approach to the game? I just don't get it.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
Monday, August 31, 2009
So the Astros do have some sort of plan with Norris
So after throwing a career-high in IPs this season, The Troof will be skipped the next time through the rotation.
Coop:
“Thinking about it and talking to Dewey a little bit, and we're going to talk about it some more, he could get skipped this time too,”
Dewey Robinson:
“Me being the coordinator for years, I always looked at the workload of pitchers from year to year. You try to be very conscious of that and make sure they're healthy and you're not putting them at any risk. (Norris) and Paulino, those are two of our top young arms. You want to make sure you keep them healthy. I believe (Norris) approximately had 80 (pitches). I think the year before was (103). At least last year he pitched in the Arizona Fall League. That was good because that extended his season until October. That being said, at least his season last year was an extension like it is in the major leagues.”
-
Oh, and Paulino is fine after getting drilled in the back of the knee by a line drive Saturday. He'll start the game on Wednesday vs the Cubs.
“It's fine. What's important is that I don't have any discomfort. I'll just prepare the same as usual. I'll try to do my job and throw strikes.”
Coop:
“Thinking about it and talking to Dewey a little bit, and we're going to talk about it some more, he could get skipped this time too,”
Dewey Robinson:
“Me being the coordinator for years, I always looked at the workload of pitchers from year to year. You try to be very conscious of that and make sure they're healthy and you're not putting them at any risk. (Norris) and Paulino, those are two of our top young arms. You want to make sure you keep them healthy. I believe (Norris) approximately had 80 (pitches). I think the year before was (103). At least last year he pitched in the Arizona Fall League. That was good because that extended his season until October. That being said, at least his season last year was an extension like it is in the major leagues.”
-
Oh, and Paulino is fine after getting drilled in the back of the knee by a line drive Saturday. He'll start the game on Wednesday vs the Cubs.
“It's fine. What's important is that I don't have any discomfort. I'll just prepare the same as usual. I'll try to do my job and throw strikes.”
Hand-wringing and teeth-gnashing
Wandy:
“Right now nothing is going right for us. I don’t know what’s going on.”
Blum:
“Some thought the Cubbies were going to run away with it in the division. That’s why we play 162 games to see what happens. It’s a grind, and unfortunately we’re being ground up in it. It’s definitely a snowball. I mean, it seems to be accumulating. We’re constantly finding ourselves in situations where we can’t get out of. Even when we do get in what could be a prosperous situation we don’t take advantage of it or we don’t get that big hit.”
Coop, who isn't knowing a lot right now:
“These guys seem to hit us. I don’t know. They seem to make things happen against us.”
“Right now nothing is going right for us. I don’t know what’s going on.”
Blum:
“Some thought the Cubbies were going to run away with it in the division. That’s why we play 162 games to see what happens. It’s a grind, and unfortunately we’re being ground up in it. It’s definitely a snowball. I mean, it seems to be accumulating. We’re constantly finding ourselves in situations where we can’t get out of. Even when we do get in what could be a prosperous situation we don’t take advantage of it or we don’t get that big hit.”
Coop, who isn't knowing a lot right now:
“These guys seem to hit us. I don’t know. They seem to make things happen against us.”
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Swept
Recap coming later, but getting swept at the hands of the Diamondbacks in the current situation the Astros are in...that's not something a manager with communication issues normally survives.
Tejada back in the news. And it's not good, either.
This article, from the NYT, addresses Tejada's alleged pitch-tipping with Oakland.
http://mobile.nytimes.com/article;jsessionid=23D4479C5D372ABAB2FC06E2FBDF7A9A.w5?a=426318&f=27
Wandy to start today
In JJO's Notes column today we read:
1. Wandy gets the start today - not Paulino.
2. Blum is experiencing body stingers:
The good news is where they thought it was impinged it's not, so it will heal relatively quickly, hopefully. But they also found another herniated disk (C-7) a little bit further down, which is kind of interesting. I talked to the doctors, and they said, ‘If you can handle it, you can play.' I want to play, so here I am.”
That's impressive.
3. Wilton Lopez was on the mound less than two hours after arriving from Corpus.
“That was really tough on him. But you know what? I was really impressed with what I saw. ”
1. Wandy gets the start today - not Paulino.
2. Blum is experiencing body stingers:
The good news is where they thought it was impinged it's not, so it will heal relatively quickly, hopefully. But they also found another herniated disk (C-7) a little bit further down, which is kind of interesting. I talked to the doctors, and they said, ‘If you can handle it, you can play.' I want to play, so here I am.”
That's impressive.
3. Wilton Lopez was on the mound less than two hours after arriving from Corpus.
“That was really tough on him. But you know what? I was really impressed with what I saw. ”
Coop: Master of the Backhanded Compliment
Asked to evaluate Bud Norris after last night's game, Coop:
"They are definitely guys we’re looking at for the future. But they have to figure out a way to throw it over the plate. Command is the whole issue. He couldn’t command his fastball at all.”
Bud:
“My arm feels good, honestly. I feel great. That’s the thing. Obviously I got to learn, period.”
"They are definitely guys we’re looking at for the future. But they have to figure out a way to throw it over the plate. Command is the whole issue. He couldn’t command his fastball at all.”
Bud:
“My arm feels good, honestly. I feel great. That’s the thing. Obviously I got to learn, period.”
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Recap for G128 - Astros at Diamondb-cks
Quick version tonight.
Man of the Match: Jeff Fulchino - only one to throw a perfect inning.
Goat of the Game: Bud Norris. Quickly erased that 3-0 start and is now 3-3 after 5IP/6ER.
Hampton done for the year
Mike Hampton is done for the year and will undergo three surgeries: on his jacked up shoulder and both knees.
Uh. What?
Cecil Cooper, on motivation this season:
"I'm not sure there's much I can do," manager Cecil Cooper said when asked if there was any way to light a fire under the team. "They're professionals."
Some managers, like the Dodgers' Joe Torre, have meetings to remind players of their responsibilities. Others choose to meet with players on a one-on-one basis. Every manager has their own technique.
"I'm not sure that works with a veteran team," Cooper said.
-
Huh? That's a quote from someone who has given up. Get him out, and the sooner the better. If you can call somebody up on September 1 to see what they have, let's try it out with the managerial spot.
Youngest Citizen of Astros County
Citizen Spruce and new Citizen Lynlee, at whatever where the Rangers play is called. Keep sending those photos in!
Justice's 12-step program
Latest plan to fix the Astros.
1. Fire Coop
2. Hire Bagwell
3. Make Manny Acta bench coach, and make room for Biggio
4. Bench Matsui
5. Make Maysonet starting 2B
6. Bench Blum and Keppinger
7. Move Tejada to 3B
8. Make Manzella starting SS
9. Give Towles one last chance
10. Bench Moehler
11. Put Paulino as SP5
12. Give Bogusevic a roving spot in the outfield
Suddenly, we'd look at 2010 completely differently. There'd suddenly be some hope. Even if they were terrible in 2010, there's the possibility that they're learning on the job and that they'll get better.
Do you like my plan? Sure you do. What do we have to lose except a few more games? If we're going down, let's go down with a manager that loves the Astros with all his heart and soul and cares more about them than any 10 fans. Let's go down with kids that are going fast and playing their hearts out. Let's make this September one to remember instead of one to forget.
If my great experiment doesn't work, so what. At least we tried. At least we didn't sit on our hands, ignore the problems and pretend it would all be OK.
1. Fire Coop
2. Hire Bagwell
3. Make Manny Acta bench coach, and make room for Biggio
4. Bench Matsui
5. Make Maysonet starting 2B
6. Bench Blum and Keppinger
7. Move Tejada to 3B
8. Make Manzella starting SS
9. Give Towles one last chance
10. Bench Moehler
11. Put Paulino as SP5
12. Give Bogusevic a roving spot in the outfield
Suddenly, we'd look at 2010 completely differently. There'd suddenly be some hope. Even if they were terrible in 2010, there's the possibility that they're learning on the job and that they'll get better.
Do you like my plan? Sure you do. What do we have to lose except a few more games? If we're going down, let's go down with a manager that loves the Astros with all his heart and soul and cares more about them than any 10 fans. Let's go down with kids that are going fast and playing their hearts out. Let's make this September one to remember instead of one to forget.
If my great experiment doesn't work, so what. At least we tried. At least we didn't sit on our hands, ignore the problems and pretend it would all be OK.
Drayton issues no votes of confidence
Seems that Roy caught Drayton's attention after all.
There's plenty of time when the season is over to address how we finished up. Let's see what the real potential of this team is. We had much greater expectations, so you have to adjust. Part of it you have to look at it. You ever see a team that had as many injuries to key players?”
I think we've already seen it. And injuries to key players? Valverde missed some time. Berkman missed some time. Roy was on the DL once. As far as your key players? That's a stretch.
Is Drayton happy with Coop?
"I don't know that I can have evaluated or considered that. We're going to review every part — from the players to the manager, to the farm system. We haven't picked out any one part of it.
Is Drayton happy with Roy?
"Roy had great frustration, and that's part of a champion. He wants to win as much as anybody else. These are problems you need to solve internally rather than through the media...
...“He didn't name any names. I'm kind of struggling to know who he was referring to. We got some great players. When we put this team together in December and January, we certainly had thought we were going to have better results than we had this year. I think the team has given great effort. Particularly when you get to the big leagues, you play 162 games and you need to play hard, aggressively for the 162 games; No. 1, for the fans. They support you. And for the team, that's how you build your fan base and the fan base for the season. And for the players themselves, they take lots of pride in their careers.”
Is Drayton concerned?
"You're always concerned. I think there is concern because we had great expectations.”
There's plenty of time when the season is over to address how we finished up. Let's see what the real potential of this team is. We had much greater expectations, so you have to adjust. Part of it you have to look at it. You ever see a team that had as many injuries to key players?”
I think we've already seen it. And injuries to key players? Valverde missed some time. Berkman missed some time. Roy was on the DL once. As far as your key players? That's a stretch.
Is Drayton happy with Coop?
"I don't know that I can have evaluated or considered that. We're going to review every part — from the players to the manager, to the farm system. We haven't picked out any one part of it.
Is Drayton happy with Roy?
"Roy had great frustration, and that's part of a champion. He wants to win as much as anybody else. These are problems you need to solve internally rather than through the media...
...“He didn't name any names. I'm kind of struggling to know who he was referring to. We got some great players. When we put this team together in December and January, we certainly had thought we were going to have better results than we had this year. I think the team has given great effort. Particularly when you get to the big leagues, you play 162 games and you need to play hard, aggressively for the 162 games; No. 1, for the fans. They support you. And for the team, that's how you build your fan base and the fan base for the season. And for the players themselves, they take lots of pride in their careers.”
Is Drayton concerned?
"You're always concerned. I think there is concern because we had great expectations.”
Seriously, who spilled water in the bullpen?
That may not be how it went down, but Arias says he strained his hamstring slipping in the bullpen while warming up. He won't be throwing for two to three days.
With Arias on the DL with a hamstring strain, becoming the fifth Astro to hit the DL with a bad hamstring, Run-DMc (Drayton, for those of you new to Astros County) is going to order a full investigation into why it's happening:
“Look at how many hamstring strains, calf strains and other injuries we've had. Do we need to change our training routine? Do we need to see the energy drinks they take? We need to see what has caused all these injuries. Have you ever seen so many calf injuries? Look how many calf injuries.”
I'll go out on a limb and say that the energy drinks are safe. But the training routine...he may be on to something.
-
Looks like Paulino will get the start on Sunday, and not Wandy:
“Well, we've kind of decided, but we still don't want to put it in stone just yet because you know how these things are. When you make plans, then all of a sudden there's a long day or a long ballgame and you have to use everybody you got.”
So they're leaning towards it, but fully realize that Saturday's game could be a complete disaster.
-
Boone will rejoin the team on Tuesday, after rosters expand to 40 players:
You know when you go to spring training you start to get ready for the grind of the season. And not being able to go through it with the guys — a lot of these guys I knew coming in and a lot of these guys that I didn't know as well — I was really looking forward to playing with. That at least it's going to become a reality for a month is nice.”
-
And Blum will rejoin the team today after a negative MRI showed that he was just being a wuss.
With Arias on the DL with a hamstring strain, becoming the fifth Astro to hit the DL with a bad hamstring, Run-DMc (Drayton, for those of you new to Astros County) is going to order a full investigation into why it's happening:
“Look at how many hamstring strains, calf strains and other injuries we've had. Do we need to change our training routine? Do we need to see the energy drinks they take? We need to see what has caused all these injuries. Have you ever seen so many calf injuries? Look how many calf injuries.”
I'll go out on a limb and say that the energy drinks are safe. But the training routine...he may be on to something.
-
Looks like Paulino will get the start on Sunday, and not Wandy:
“Well, we've kind of decided, but we still don't want to put it in stone just yet because you know how these things are. When you make plans, then all of a sudden there's a long day or a long ballgame and you have to use everybody you got.”
So they're leaning towards it, but fully realize that Saturday's game could be a complete disaster.
-
Boone will rejoin the team on Tuesday, after rosters expand to 40 players:
You know when you go to spring training you start to get ready for the grind of the season. And not being able to go through it with the guys — a lot of these guys I knew coming in and a lot of these guys that I didn't know as well — I was really looking forward to playing with. That at least it's going to become a reality for a month is nice.”
-
And Blum will rejoin the team today after a negative MRI showed that he was just being a wuss.
Recap for G128 - Astros at Diamondbacks
Some Astros fans are going to be upset about this latest turn of events, in which our two newest pitchers allowed 14 runs in a 14-7 loss at Arizona. I'm not. Not even close, because this is on the job training for 2010. So why should I care what happens in 2009 if we're already thinking about 2010? It was one game, and a lot of lessons can be learned from it. Let's do the thing:
Bazardo: 2IP, 8H/8ER, 0K:3BB, 10/15 first-pitch strikes, 8/24 non-contact strikes (7c:1s)
Lopez: 4IP, 8H/6ER, 3K:2BB, 13/22 FPS, 21/60 NCS (11c:10s) - 92 pitches, 3 homers
Gervacio: 1IP, 2K, 1/3 FPS, 7/9 NCS (3c:4s)
LaHawk: 1IP, 1K, 2/3 FPS, 4/9 NCS (3c:1s)
Pretty tough major-league debut for Lopez. I'm still impressed by Sam Gervacio and the job he's doing. Another inning of scoreles relief, and his ERA is now 1.08.
Offensively, it was the fourth time this season the Astros have scored seven runs and lost. Pence and Matsui were both 2x4 - Pence had two RBI, Matsui, just one - and Berkman and Keppinger were both 1x4 with 2 RBI each. Tejada was lifted after two ABs, and Maysonet installed at SS.
Not that it mattered, but the Astros actually led this game 2-0 in the first. Berkman made another baserunning mistake trying to advance to third after hitting a 2-run double...with nobody out. And then they led again, 4-3, on Keppinger's two-run homer in the 3rd. That's when the wheels fell off, for the first time, in the bottom half of the inning. Seven straight Diamondba'ks reached base, three of them on extra-base hits
Regardless, the only way to look at this and to not want to cry is that this was a learning experience game.
Pitch Count Hero: Jeff Keppinger - 23 pitches in 5 PAs (1x4, 2RBI)
Pitch Count Punk: Lance Berkman - 12 pitches in 4 PAs (1x4, 2RBI)
Man of the Match: Uhhh. How about Hunter Pence? Rebounded from being benched for most of the St. Louis series with 2x4, 2RBI.
Goat of the Game: Just because it's a learning experience doesn't mean that Bazardo gets off the hook. Got one swinging strike in 44 pitches.
Bazardo: 2IP, 8H/8ER, 0K:3BB, 10/15 first-pitch strikes, 8/24 non-contact strikes (7c:1s)
Lopez: 4IP, 8H/6ER, 3K:2BB, 13/22 FPS, 21/60 NCS (11c:10s) - 92 pitches, 3 homers
Gervacio: 1IP, 2K, 1/3 FPS, 7/9 NCS (3c:4s)
LaHawk: 1IP, 1K, 2/3 FPS, 4/9 NCS (3c:1s)
Pretty tough major-league debut for Lopez. I'm still impressed by Sam Gervacio and the job he's doing. Another inning of scoreles relief, and his ERA is now 1.08.
Offensively, it was the fourth time this season the Astros have scored seven runs and lost. Pence and Matsui were both 2x4 - Pence had two RBI, Matsui, just one - and Berkman and Keppinger were both 1x4 with 2 RBI each. Tejada was lifted after two ABs, and Maysonet installed at SS.
Not that it mattered, but the Astros actually led this game 2-0 in the first. Berkman made another baserunning mistake trying to advance to third after hitting a 2-run double...with nobody out. And then they led again, 4-3, on Keppinger's two-run homer in the 3rd. That's when the wheels fell off, for the first time, in the bottom half of the inning. Seven straight Diamondba'ks reached base, three of them on extra-base hits
Regardless, the only way to look at this and to not want to cry is that this was a learning experience game.
Pitch Count Hero: Jeff Keppinger - 23 pitches in 5 PAs (1x4, 2RBI)
Pitch Count Punk: Lance Berkman - 12 pitches in 4 PAs (1x4, 2RBI)
Man of the Match: Uhhh. How about Hunter Pence? Rebounded from being benched for most of the St. Louis series with 2x4, 2RBI.
Goat of the Game: Just because it's a learning experience doesn't mean that Bazardo gets off the hook. Got one swinging strike in 44 pitches.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Luis Gonzalez Appreciation Night
Here's betting no one makes too big a deal about Luis Gonzalez, all 6'2" 210lb of him, hitting 57 homers (he hit 31 HRs in 2000, and 28 in 2002) in 2001. However, he can still be appreciated in Arizona tonight before G128 with the Astros.
It was also announced that Gonzalez will be joining the Diamondbacks as a Special Assistant to Arizona President/CEO Derrick Hall.
He is one of only 17 players in Major League history to collect at least 2,500 hits, 500 doubles, 350 home runs and 1,000 RBIs. Thirteen of those players are in the Hall of Fame, and only one of the 17 - Andre Dawson - is eligible for the Hall of Fame, but has not yet been elected.
It was also announced that Gonzalez will be joining the Diamondbacks as a Special Assistant to Arizona President/CEO Derrick Hall.
He is one of only 17 players in Major League history to collect at least 2,500 hits, 500 doubles, 350 home runs and 1,000 RBIs. Thirteen of those players are in the Hall of Fame, and only one of the 17 - Andre Dawson - is eligible for the Hall of Fame, but has not yet been elected.
Migraine Alert
A migraine is quickly derailing Astros County this afternoon. So service will resume when available.
Pence: Punching the wall doesn't do anything
Julian Tavarez would disagree, but whatever.
In a story on his latest stint as benchwarmer, Hunter Pence has learned a few lessons:
"I'm going to continue to work and continue to learn. When you fail in this game, you learn from it. I wouldn't say that I've been a complete failure. You go through ups and downs, but you've got to learn and figure out a way to turn it around. I'm going to continue to work until we get back to the postseason...
...I get angry from time to time. When I was a kid, I learned that doesn't get you anywhere. Punching the wall doesn't do anything. You learn that at a young age, to keep that in and old your head high and continue to learn on those things. After a little bit of time, it goes away. You're going to be hot for a little bit, and then it goes away."
Pence has hardly been a complete failure. His 57 RBI rank him 13th among NL outfielders, 19 HRs are tied for 6th among NL outfielders, and his 213 total bases are 12th among that group, as well. It's also important to remember that this is really his second full season, third overall, as a Major Leaguer.
In a story on his latest stint as benchwarmer, Hunter Pence has learned a few lessons:
"I'm going to continue to work and continue to learn. When you fail in this game, you learn from it. I wouldn't say that I've been a complete failure. You go through ups and downs, but you've got to learn and figure out a way to turn it around. I'm going to continue to work until we get back to the postseason...
...I get angry from time to time. When I was a kid, I learned that doesn't get you anywhere. Punching the wall doesn't do anything. You learn that at a young age, to keep that in and old your head high and continue to learn on those things. After a little bit of time, it goes away. You're going to be hot for a little bit, and then it goes away."
Pence has hardly been a complete failure. His 57 RBI rank him 13th among NL outfielders, 19 HRs are tied for 6th among NL outfielders, and his 213 total bases are 12th among that group, as well. It's also important to remember that this is really his second full season, third overall, as a Major Leaguer.
Jerome Solomon on Roy's tirade
It must have taken a while to form an opinion. But what we do read is an interesting quote from Ed Wade about it:
"If he feels that way, he should name names, either that or address the players privately," Wade told Jesus Ortiz. "I just think that it's something that if he feels strongly about that, so strongly that he feels compelled to make public, I think he specifically should point out players who he feels aren't giving 100 percent. Because otherwise it's an indictment of the other 24 players on the club. I prefer for those things to be dealt with in private."
This response cracked me up. Basically, Wade said there is a right way and a wrong way, and though he would prefer you do things the right way, if you're going to do them the wrong way, do it big. Go big or go home.
Now read this. And then you'll need this:
You don't have to name names for the names you didn't name to know it is their names you would have named if you were naming names.
Once you diagram it, it makes more sense. But all this is to lead to the point that maybe Roy is talking himself into forcing a trade.
"If he feels that way, he should name names, either that or address the players privately," Wade told Jesus Ortiz. "I just think that it's something that if he feels strongly about that, so strongly that he feels compelled to make public, I think he specifically should point out players who he feels aren't giving 100 percent. Because otherwise it's an indictment of the other 24 players on the club. I prefer for those things to be dealt with in private."
This response cracked me up. Basically, Wade said there is a right way and a wrong way, and though he would prefer you do things the right way, if you're going to do them the wrong way, do it big. Go big or go home.
Now read this. And then you'll need this:
You don't have to name names for the names you didn't name to know it is their names you would have named if you were naming names.
Once you diagram it, it makes more sense. But all this is to lead to the point that maybe Roy is talking himself into forcing a trade.
First September Call-Up announced
And it's Jamey Snodgrass, athletic trainer for the Corpus Christi Hooks.
I am very excited about going to Houston. It is every Minor Leaguer's dream to make it to the big leagues. I have been fortunate to work some Major League Spring Training games, but I am sure those cannot compare to being in the dugout for a regular-season game. I am extremely grateful to the Astros for inviting me and look forward to helping out in any way possible.
I am very excited about going to Houston. It is every Minor Leaguer's dream to make it to the big leagues. I have been fortunate to work some Major League Spring Training games, but I am sure those cannot compare to being in the dugout for a regular-season game. I am extremely grateful to the Astros for inviting me and look forward to helping out in any way possible.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)