Is this the beginning or the end??

[lamearm1]

White released, Randolph DFA'd. Albers and McLemore called up.

Is this the beginning of Timmy's purge or is this all there will be?

Astros recall Albers and McLemore

[astrobuddy]

I doubt it is all. Trades to come.

[hembo36]

im thinking they will dump a big name..somebody that will probably piss off this board

[astrobuddy]

I highly doubt it.

But that all depends on who you consider a big name. Who you have in mind?

[redbaron]

You can be sure that Purpura is looking for some scapegoats to take the heat off the real culprits........him and Drayton MacLane.

[astrobuddy]

I doubt that. He is working for his job I suspect. Drayton is the one that will be looking for scapegoats. He will blame Garner and Tim. This is Draytons fault.

[tbone421998]

www.mysanantonio.com/sports/columnists/roliver/stories/MYSA062907.09D.COL.BBNoliver.biggio.3b1e423.html Richard Oliver from the San Antonio fishwrap had a good article on this very subject.

With Houston on pace to lose 95 games, en route to only its second losing campaign in the past 15 years, it's understandable that Garner is feeling the heat on his bushy moustache.

It's also misdirected.

Garner is no more responsible for the Astros' tumble than Roger Clemens.

No, the burden for this one rests squarely on owner Drayton McLane. He has lorded over a franchise that, according to the Houston Chronicle, has revenues of roughly $200 million and a payroll of more than $95 million.

Those are healthy figures that usually add up to contending. Instead, they have produced the third-worst record in baseball this season. McLane can now look back over the past two seasons and check off the reasons why — and his hand is in the lot of them.

With his team set to make the turn toward inconsequential, right about the time Biggio makes his turn at first base, the owner surveys a remaining foundation full of more fissures than a sun-baked parking lot.

A threadbare minor-league system. Only a scattering of marketable players. Questionable deals, including the baffling offseason decision to ship fleet outfielder Willy Taveras and a couple of promising arms to the Rockies for right-hander Jason Jennings, who now appears to be a one-year import of middling importance.

In 2004, in an apparent clash of egos, McLane jettisoned general manager Gerry Hunsicker in favor of Tim Purpura. The jury, out to stew over that one for a while, is back today and looking a bit constipated.

In damaging stretches, Purpura has looked out of his element.

Largely as a result, Garner works today with a roster short on pitching and defense, historic hallmarks for past Astros' excellence, and consistent offense. Garner couldn't win with the club if he slathered his lineup card in Barry Bonds' cream.

That hasn't stopped the second-guessing, however. The guy who directed Houston to its first World Series only two years ago appears to have gone from dynamic to dumb faster than Vince Young taking a Wonderlic exam.

The only thing dumber would be for McLane to believe it.

The owner instead should be concentrating on what happens after Biggio doffs his cap and disappears into the dugout. Fittingly, at that moment, the Astros will get markedly younger.

Indeed, Houston needs to start making moves with an eye toward next season and beyond. It likely will involve shipping out some familiar names in order to bring in some unfamiliar, fresh prospects.

It will involve rebuilding from the inside out. It will require admitting that the decision-making of recent months has failed miserably, and fixing it the right way.

Biggio has his historic hit, so now the franchise can get moving on its makeover.

McLane can answer what everyone else is thinking. What now?

He puts the blame where it belongs on Uncle Draytie. I do think this is only the beginning. Their will be more trades coming and maybe even some more releases or sent downs.

[redbaron]

This team is a flop because of moves that MacLane orchestrated or those he refused to spend the money to make. The Jennings trade is a prime example that neither Draytie or his lapdog, fat little Timmy, know what they are doing. They got Loretta because he wanted to come here. Carlos Lee has a ranch southwest of Houston near Boling so he wanted to come here. MacLanes' meddling has finally come home to roost. He has no clue what to do and doesnt' have Gerry Hunsicker here to cover up his ignorance. All he has is a fat little "yes man" who has no authority to make a move.