Pitching

[mikeinsa]

Well we all know that the Astros pitching staff sucked last year. We also know that most people think that we need a solid #2 in order to contend next year. I am not so sure that this is a correct position. Here is what I mean:

Last year the Astros converted on only 38 of 64 save opportunities.
Only 4 teams did worse.
If the Astros performed in the top 5 then they would of had another 5 wins.
Combine that with better fielding
Combine that with better hitting at second and catcher
Combine that with a year of growth for the young starters
Combine that with better coaching and what do you get,

Perhaps a playoff slot.

I am not so sure that we need an outside #2, perhaps all we need is a solid 2nd baseman and a couple of strong relievers. Both positions of need are more readily available than a good #2 starter.

[jbarron]

If we don't improve the starting pitching, it won't matter who plays second base or who we have in the bullpen because we will suck just like we did this year.

[vega51]

We need a number 2 pitcher, thats a fact.

AZ is looking for pithing, Wandy would be a good choice to go overthere for a guy like Carlos Gonzalez.

[mikeinsa]

Everyone thinks that we need a number 2. It is probably true that we do need a number 2. Name a number 2 that we can get without giving up the farm though. Let's look at the facts:

Everyone b*tched about Biggio's range last year. It was a fact that he did not get to a lot of balls that he should of. Fix that issue with a solid player at second and what do you have, the staff has a lower era by extension.

Next we had one of the best if not the best defensive shortstops sidelined for the majority of the year. Normally he is healthy so if he stays healthy then by extension the staff era drops.

Next we had Burke starting the year in cf. Without blasting Burke he is an infielder playing the biggest cf area in the NL. Now we replace him with a guy who can fly and what do you get, a lower staff era.

Next you move Pence to rf and you improve the defense there.

So you take all those defensive improvements and then all of a sudden the Astros are no longer one of the worst defensive teams in baseball but probably at least in the middle. Being conservative and saying that the improved defense saves the staff about 1/3 of a run per nine innings and what do you get, Rodriguez with a 4.25 era. Factor in a little maturation and you probably have as good a starter as any we can get in the open market. The same thing happens to Backe, Sampson, and Patton.

The last step is in the heads of the pitchers. If you bolster the pen well enough then you do not have to leave a tired starter in the game and that tired starter will let you know he is tired and not give up so many runs in the six and seventh innings.

So having said all that I do not think it is as critical now as I did a couple of days ago to land a solid #2. It would be great to get one and improve the entire staff even further no doubt. I would just hate to see us cripple our team financially or the farm system by overpaying because we are desperate. Think Jason Jennings.

[vega51]

I think we need to sign Jennings to a 1 year deal.
Patton needs to pitch next year for us, he should do better than Wandy.
I still hope Pettitte comes back.

[texiban001]

Not me! Pettitte is still way too injury prone and besides, do we really want to see this now that Roger is starting his "personal services" contract with the Astros?

[jbarron]

Vega, why the hell do you want to waste money on a piece of crap like Jason Jennings? I say we count our losses and not spend another nickel on this bum.

[chandler44]

Jennings was a good pitcher before he got hurt. It wouldn't be a bad idea at all to try to bring him back in a low base contract with incentives.

[texiban001]

I don't like Jennings but I don't think it would hurt.  He might even be a decent reliever.

[mikeinsa]

I do not have a problem with Jennings. I have a problem with how we got him. What would be insane is if we did the same type deal all over again.

[texiban001]

True. how the phuck did PooPoora not know that Jennings was hurt before he agreed to the trade? Doesn't the Astros send a team of doctors to check these things out?

[dennis2112]

I think , if healthy, Jennings would not be bad if signed for cheap.

We gave up too much for him but he WAS a decent pitcher before the injury.

[hembo36]

when he is healthy he is not bad...he will never be mistaken for maddux but he is ok..having said that....i dont know why they must always get outfielders? i have an idea here...crazy as it sounds, why dont they get off their collective azz and get a pitcher...wow..what a thought...who was the last regular outfielder this team had? who has played outfield, on this team, for more than a season? every year they have 3 new guys...i see pence and lee around for a while, but what about CF? I mean how good is this dude they got from philly? if he was such a keeper why did they trade him?

[mikeinsa]

I really do not see Wade making much of an effort to get Jennings. He is going to leave that deal on Purpura's plate. By resigning Jennings he will be viewed as owning part of the deal in some folks minds and I do not see him making that decision on his own. If Drayton tells him to he will and that will be the only way.

I think from here as far as pitching goes we make an attempt to get a solid late game/closer, and maybe trade Scott, one of our AA pitching prospects, and either Einerston or Flores for a young pitcher with #3 or #4 type stuff.

[hembo36]

well he obviously has no faith in burke either...agreed..i think burke and scott should be just gone entirely..scott will be good one of these days but it would appear he has a case of the jd drew and mark prior syndrome