Chris Burke: What To Do?

Burke's platoon splits are not varied enough to justify a platoon.

I figure we got a couple million dollars invested in the guy, might as well keep him around as a bench player, his defense ain't too bad at all, and he's good for a homer in extra innings every now and then.

Burke's offense last season seemed consistent with the potential he showed in the minors, and one assumed that his high-.700's OPS would be  trending up toward .800 this season.  Instead, he had a regression.  Maybe this season is just a temporary anomaly, and he will resume his offensive progression.  (Look at the up/down pattern of Biggio's OPS in his first few ML seasons.) Or maybe it is an indication that Burke won't be better than a career utility infielder.  Heck if I know.  

I think Burke would be a significant defensive improvement at 2d base, so I would like for him to succeed.  But it seems to me that there is something wrong with his swing right now.  I'm no batting mechanics expert, but he just looks out of synch at the plate.

My preference would be to trade Burke if he would bring value in return.  But I suspect that his current season would cause any trade value to be "selling low."  If that is the case, we might as well roll the dice with him next year. I voted "platoon" because I'm unsure if he will succeed as a starter next year, and I would like to have another starter-quality second baseman available, whether it be Conrad, Loretta, Ransom or someone else.  I agree he is not a great L/R platoon candidate, but I see some reasons why he should share his starter position until we find out what he will produce.

I really don't see where else the Astros would go right now. I will have to see who is available at the end of the year but I really believe he is the best candidate for 2nd next year. He would be a vast improvement over Biggio in the leadoff spot for next year.

And NO ONE should even think about saying Pence is a great leadoff hitter. That would be a waste of talent....... and OPS.

Now, if McLane comes in with the new GM and agrees to a multi-year rebuild period, I could perhaps stand to see him at 2B.

Barring that, however, let's see what we can get in a creative trade package.

On the off chance he happens to do well, then great! Win-win for everyone.

"It's been a struggle for him," Cooper said, adding that he may try Burke at shortstop before the year's over. "He's changed his swing a little bit this year to try to do a better job of staying inside some balls instead of hooking balls. I think he needs to figure out what kind of player he is."

*PUUUUUUUUUUUUKE*