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Post by mikeinsa on Sept 29, 2007 14:25:41 GMT -5
We have scored about 100 less runs than we have given up this year. The problems are in all areas. We have no speed, only 65 stolen bases. We ground into the fifth most double plays in the major leagues. The defense ranks near the bottom of the league in just about all categories and as Vega said in another thread we do not have a #2 or #3 starter but have an abundance of 4 and 5 type starters.
The minors are a wreck and offer little in the way of immediate upgrades. Granted Towles looks like he may just nail down the catcher position for a while but name a team that has gone to the playoffs with a rookie at catcher.
As far as free agents go we have such a great draft position given this years failures that it hardly makes sense to sign tendered free agents and lose those draft picks.
In short fixing this train wreck is not going to be a one year deal. We just need to focus on investing next year in the kids and see what we got to do for 09. We have to find out if Patton can settle in behind Oswalt, can Rodriguez take another step up, if Towles can be the long term answer, and we have to fill three of the four infield slots. Way too many holes for one off season - even in the mediocre Central.
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Post by hembo36 on Sept 29, 2007 14:46:02 GMT -5
well the biggio issue will be cured tomorrow..going forward they need steady pitching and an upgrade at relief...we also need burke and scott to hit or they need to follow biggio out the door...cant have 4 guys batting .230(scott,everett,burke pitcher)
plus , if this wasnt just an off year for berkman, They need to look at possibly moving carlos lee and good ol lance..why have high priced guys taking up money we could use to rebuild? Trade them...This team, as it stands, is 3-4 years(probably) from competing so having all these guys and being in last doesnt jive..
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Post by chandler44 on Sept 29, 2007 14:53:36 GMT -5
As far as free agents go we have such a great draft position given this years failures that it hardly makes sense to sign tendered free agents and lose those draft picks. Actually, since our draft pick will be in the top 15 (top 10 actually), we can't lose our 1st rd pick for compensation. The highest we can lose is the 2nd, and if we offer arbitration to Lamb & Loretta and then lose them, we'll gain either 1st rd picks or supplemental picks (or both) for them. The system does need help, especially on top. I would agree in any other division, but considering that they are in the Central, nothing's impossible IMO. |
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Post by chandler44 on Sept 29, 2007 14:54:03 GMT -5
No Trade clauses.
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Post by mikeinsa on Sept 29, 2007 15:15:36 GMT -5
Good point Chandler I did not know that if the pick is top 15 it was protected. A little glimmer there anyway.
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Post by chandler44 on Sept 29, 2007 15:17:15 GMT -5
LOL Small bits of hope all we have at times like these.
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Post by astrobuddy on Sept 29, 2007 15:57:14 GMT -5
You dont trade the 2nd best RBI combo in the NL hembo. This is what gets you into trouble. YOu throw out stupid ideas like that with no real knowledge of why that can or cant happen. This is why I often thought you were a teenager. You just dont have a grasp on how it really works.
Lee and Berkman arent going anywhere and the Astros will compete in 2008. Bank on it. They may not win it, but they will be in it. ( without a ton of injuries)
Luke Scott is just fine. He isnt world beater, but he is hardly a problem. .255 is a long way from .230, 18 HR's and his OPS is .856 which is good enough for 27th in the NL ( with enough AB's). Luke Scott is a good hitter. He isnt a problem.
I am glad that you see that Burke is trash.
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Post by hembo36 on Sept 29, 2007 22:06:10 GMT -5
If you could move them chandler they should be moved... You really dont expect them to contend right away do you? look at it from a realistic standpoint and not just from the viewpoint of being a fan. As the team stands right now they will not contend...right? I mean that should be clear...
lets say they take three more years to get back to being a contending team(and thats generous) by that time many guys are close to the end of their contract(give or take) and then you do what? sign them to another 100 mil? The point is the astros are wasting money right now.. you dont think by unloading some of these guys we could help down the road? I agree on the holding to oswalt as he is harder to replace..but contrary to many threads and wasted time, eventually you can find a berkman and lee
Maybe im looking at it from a business side...let me come at you another direction..iI im an owner and i have a subpar team. Is it better i spend 65 mil to lose or 95 mil to lose?(not exact totals just example)
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Post by hembo36 on Sept 29, 2007 22:08:00 GMT -5
btw ab..burke sucks...thats clear cut
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Post by chandler44 on Sept 29, 2007 22:25:06 GMT -5
In the NL Central they're not that far away from contending. If one or two of the young starters continues to progress and/or they sign a good pitcher or two, they'll be in better shape. It's not like they're chasing Boston or the Yanks here.
No way should you even think about moving your two best offensive pieces.
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Post by jbarron on Sept 29, 2007 22:34:41 GMT -5
Hembo, the more you post, the more you prove you know nothing about building a team. If we trade "good ole" Carlos and Lance, who hits the home runs and drives in the runs? I get aggravated at Berkman but I sure as hell don't think trading him is the answer unless we could get more than he is worth in return and that won't happen. Lee drags his ass but he also drives in big runs. He hits in the clutch. Burke needs to be given a shot at being the regular second baseman without having Biggio around. What MUST be done is to add a good #2 starter to put in the rotation behind Oswalt. You can also bet that Adam Everett isn't going anywhere since we want to build around pitching, speed, and DEFENSE. You don't upgrade your defense by trading the best shortstop in the NL.
We will contend next season, and, if we add the right pieces to the puzzle, we will win the division and possibly go back to the World Series. There is no powerhouse in the NL unless someone adds some key players this winter.
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Post by hembo36 on Sept 29, 2007 22:48:31 GMT -5
ok
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Post by vega51 on Sept 29, 2007 23:59:55 GMT -5
IF Towels is able to hit ok next year then Everett is not a liability hitting 8th.
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Post by jbarron on Sept 30, 2007 0:34:24 GMT -5
Another thing we must do is either talk Woody into retiring or release him. We cannot afford to waste a spot on the pitching staff on a guy who no longer throws good batting practice. Woody sucks.
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Post by mikeinsa on Sept 30, 2007 18:01:47 GMT -5
It Towles can hit even close to what he is currently doing and we get someone solid for either 3rd base or 2nd then Everett helps fix the defensive weakness and his bat can be tolerated.
I would really hate to go into next season with a hope and a song on Burke like we have the last two years on Ensberg and Lane.
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