2010 closer?
by rdf8585 on Oct 1, 2009 10:40 AM CDT
9 comments
It seems all but official that Valverde and Hawkins won't be coming back for 2010. That leaves a pretty gaping hole at the back of the bullpen without many in-house fixes. But one guy who could be an in-house fix might be Sammy Gervacio. For the most part, he has had a good debut this year and he may be the best in-house beat to close next year. How likely is it that he is given the 9th inning job next year? I'm not sure who else there is right now.
If you go outside the org, it would be something if Billy Wagner returns to his old team/role. Rafael Soriano and Texas native Mike Gonzalez will be out there as well. Hoffman and Rodney will also be FA.
Who's the early pick to be in the 9th inning mix?
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People keep mentioning Gervacio, but I don't see it happening
Although he’s performed well in high-pressure situations, he still doesn’t have enough experience at the big league level. As I’ve mentioned before, I would think if they DO pick somebody from within the organization, it would be Fulchino, as he’s been (aside from Hawkins) the most reliable middle reliever, with arguably the best command and very good stuff.
by OremLK on Oct 1, 2009 10:58 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I don’t think it’s a foregone conclusion that both Valverde and Hawkins will be gone next year. I think the odds are one of them will be re-signed, and my best guess is that it will be Hawkins. Hawkins wants to come back and he will be relatively cheap.
As far as in-house options, I think Arias has the best stuff to be a closer. But I would rather see the Astros sign someone with closer experience. In the past, I have mentioned Howry and Sherill has “examples” of second tier closers. Dotel probably fits in that category too. Brandon Lyons is also available, if I recall correctly.
by clack on Oct 1, 2009 1:53 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
I Agree
If you’re looking to stay in the organization Alberto Arias comes to mind, as long as he can rebound from his injury. I also wouldn’t mind seeing Sampson given the opportunity as well, he was lights out for the first half of the season, but falls into the same boat as Arias.
by timmy_ on Oct 1, 2009 2:34 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I still favor Valverde
After that, I don’t know. It would be interesting to see Billy Wagner back.
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Oct 1, 2009 9:23 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs
Look, if we bring Valverde back
We will be spending around $10 million on him. We will not be able to afford a middle of the rotation starter. Period, end of story. I think that would be very unwise, especially since we can get a couple draft picks from offering him arbitration and letting him walk.
I agree that a closer is fairly important, but I will never agree that he is more important than a good starting pitcher. And I don’t think the Astros can afford to piece together the rotation again.
by OremLK on Oct 1, 2009 9:42 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
I highly doubt we go out and get a middle of the rotation starter this off-season…i just don’t see it happening…with bud in the rotation and felipe probable and ed wade thinking he can be really good, and possibly bring moehler back and wesley wright transitioning to a starter and yorman bazardo still in the mix, and possibly wilton lopez, i don’t think they’ll bring in someone else.
by Subber10 on Oct 1, 2009 11:56 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
It would be a mistake to assume any of our young pitchers (or Moehler) will be more productive than back of the rotation type numbers. I’m not saying it couldn’t happen, but they’re still young and not much beyond rookies, and I don’t think it would be wise to rely completely on any of them for #3 type performance.
If you want to rebuild and more or less give up on competing, fine… but then why do we need Valverde and Hawkins? If we’re trying to compete, we need another starter more than we need a closer, so offer Valverde arb and let him walk. If we’re not trying to compete, we have no need for a high priced closer, so offer Valverde arb and let him walk.
by OremLK on Oct 2, 2009 1:05 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
They have to say they're competitive for ticket sales
and Drayton will continue to preach about “Champions” but the reality is that the Astros are in the rebuilding mode, even if the organization doesn’t believe it. Their is help on the way, but it’s going to take time to develop.
This manager search will tell a lot about the direction the Astros are heading.
by timmy_ on Oct 2, 2009 7:40 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
We are basically in an Ed Wade modified rebuilding mode because thats all drayton will let Ed Wade do. Timmy is right, we flat out say we’re rebuilding and nobody goes to the games. But, even with a rotation of 2 rookies who have both shown they can be great pitchers at times (bud more than paulino), i think its a better rotation than this year. But if we were going to be truly competitive, the budget would have to be higher than it is. We’d need another starter, valverde, a SS, tejada at 3rd, and a FA 4th outfielder…not gonna happen. especially since we are having to give Pence and Wandy a big raises. And as far as relying on rookies for #3’s, Wade wanted to rely on Hampton as a #2…while obviously hampton has a great history as a pitcher, his recent history wasn’t #2 quality.
So i say offer arb. to valverde, cross your fingers and pray he denies, keep hawkins, keep tejada at 3rd, maybe one low cost FA 4 or 5 outfielder and let one of our AAA outfielders take the other spot, manzella at short, and kepp and maysonet as utility guys….and maybe lee loses weight…
if cubs repeat what they did this year and matt holiday doesn’t come back with the cards, we have a solid chance of competing.
by Subber10 on Oct 2, 2009 8:42 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs
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NL Central Standings
| W | L | PCT | GB | STRK | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
St. Louis
|
91 | 71 | .561 | 0 | Lost 6 |
|
Chicago
|
83 | 78 | .515 | 7.5 | Lost 1 |
|
Milwaukee
|
80 | 82 | .493 | 11 | Won 3 |
|
Cincinnati
|
78 | 84 | .481 | 13 | Won 2 |
|
Houston
|
74 | 88 | .456 | 17 | Lost 3 |
|
Pittsburgh
|
62 | 99 | .385 | 28.5 | Lost 2 |
(updated 2.9.2010 at 11:43 PM CST)
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