2010 Astros...

by Robertpz on Aug 25, 2009 9:08 AM CDT

LF - Carlos Lee
CF - Bourn
RF - Pence
3B - Miggy (still should have traded him)
SS - Manzella/Keppinger
2B - Maysonnet
1B - Berkman
C - Quintero/Castro

First thing I would do is when Berkman sits or is injured, Lee goes to 1B. Inject some younger legs into the OF when possible. Factor in games Lee sits or Berkman sits, we could get a 1/3rd better production in OF especially on the road (a la Biggio)

Second, Blum goes because if 2010 is the bridge year towards something better, we need youth. Maysonnet and Keppinger can hold fort in the IF as back-ups. Johnson can come along later if we get Matsui out of Houston.

Third, I like Roy, Wandy, Brian, and Bud as your starting pitchers. We need to get a #3 in the off-season. Yeah, I know I just surprised everyone with that realization, but again, Wolf and other re-treads aren't the answer.

Third, speaking of, any trade we make between now and next March has to include Matsui as a throw-in. Any player you want, you have to take Kaz. That would clear up a major log-jam in the IF & a few bucks to spare.

Fourth, the bullpen should be fine with a nice mix of veterans and young players. I still think for giggles and sentimentality, we bring back Billy the Kid to ride off into the sunset as an Astro. If he does take over the lead as top left-handed closer of all-time AND plays another season or two as an Astro, then that gives us another Astro from the 90s going into the HOF at some point behind Biggio and Bagwell.

Finally, this team isn't horrible. It is just a couple of pieces away from being right back into their usual playoff contending selves: Lee is a good hitter, but too slow at OF; we basically have two 1B on the field most of the time so we need to move Lee in when times or injuries permit. Matsui is past his prime; Maysonnet can step in right now and be almost as good fielding-wise as Kaz & definitely more consistent at batting. Miggy going to third and Castro as catcher would be upgrades hitting wise at those positions to make up for what we lose offensively at SS. Throw in a solid #3 (Ben Sheets?) and we are back in the hunt in no time.

I'm just sayin'...

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Oh...and one more thing...

Coop goes as manager & Berry or Biggio comes in!

by Robertpz on Aug 25, 2009 9:11 AM CDT reply actions

As I said in another thread, I don’t think Castro is ready for the majors. He may be able to come up at mid season if he is hitting well in AAA. But Castro’s offense at Corpus Christi makes me think we would get a J.R. Towles type rookie season in the majors from him. That could hurt him in the long term.

by clack on Aug 25, 2009 9:19 AM CDT reply actions

really want the stros

to go after lackey or sheets next year (even both :))

by EveryHoustonTeamRox! on Aug 25, 2009 11:46 AM CDT reply actions

sorry

but I don’t think your team is very realistic and isn’t just a piece or two away from contending.

The number of games where Berkman or Lee sits is a pretty small number, and assuming that we get a 1/3 increase from current bench guy or AAA player is a stretch. What player do you have in mind filling this role? Lee’s major drawback is his defense, but on offense he produces at a pretty high level (still not worthy of his salary, but that’s another issue). So who’s the guy that can replicate his offensive production while getting closer to average defense?

Trading Matsui? Who’s the main part of the trade that will include Matsui as a “throw-in”? Probably only Berkman or Oswalt are big enough chips that a trade partner would take on Matsui. Hopefully Matsui will bounce back and have a great first half next year and we can maybe trade him for something, but I wouldn’t count on much.

I like Wagner, but unless he has a Gagne-like implosion w/ the Red Sox, he’s going to get competitive offers for close to closer level salary this off-season. For a bad team like the Astros to be paying a closer is a waste of money.

I hope Castro is ready next year, but it’s not a given that he’s an upgrade yet.

lnewcomer on Twitter

by lnewcomer on Aug 25, 2009 5:41 PM CDT reply actions

First off, I agree that we are only a few pieces from contending. I don’t think Cooper is the worst manager out there (or even in the league), but he needs to go. It would make my season if next year we had Biggio or Bagwell, or even better, Jim Deshaies. Second, I do not think Ben Sheets will rebound to his old form. I would rather go after someone like Washburn or Wolf. Third, the LAST thing I want is for Castro to be rushed. Sign a veteran just for this year( maybe Pudge again), and after that, hopefully we won’t have to worry about the catcher position untill Castro retires. Last thoughts. Keep Blum for a bat off the bench. And I don’t know if Maysonett is starting material. Also, the Astros might want to think about having Norris as a closer if he continues this rough streach he is on. All this might sound crazy, but I think it’s pretty good.

"A baseball game is simply a nervous breakdown divided into nine innings." ~Earl Wilson

by hunterpencefan on Aug 25, 2009 11:41 PM CDT reply actions

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