Is the rebuilding over?
by cactusjake on Aug 19, 2010 5:42 PM CDT
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PrintIt appers that the hard choices have been made, the Astros can now field an all-rookie infield, and the payroll has been reduced significantly.
With the young players in place, the outfield set, and beyond a couple of off-season free agent pitcher signings, are we looking at the 2011 Astros?
It would be nice to see the Astros add a bat to the lineup but the way they've been playing since the trade deadline, they may not need it. Maybe they keep playing small ball until the power develops.
They've been very competetive and a lot more enjoyable to watch.
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MLBTR said Kepp was claimed
but then went on to say he can’t be traded…not sure what happened…anyone hear anything?
by EveryHoustonTeamRox! on Aug 19, 2010 10:22 PM CDT reply actions
As soon as he gets claimed they can pull him off to prevent him from actually goint to that team and we retain him. With that, the Astros can trade him to the claiming team only within the next two days.
It’s kind of a way for teams to prevent other teams they are competing with in the playoff race from adding pieces that could help. Of course the claiming team has to be sure that the Astros would pull him off otherwise they pick up Kepp.
I understand that...
the wording was just off for me…I know how the system works, it just worded it wierdly, and never mentioned about DL, or that the stros pulled him back…
by EveryHoustonTeamRox! on Aug 20, 2010 9:27 AM CDT up reply actions
Do we really want to sign a bat in the offseason?
I say give the kids time to develop and adjust to the majors, then add that veteran “big” bat to the line up. We don’t need to get stuck with another Carlos Lee.
That once was the Marlins winning formula. Bring up the talent from the minors, let them get a few seasons in the Majors to develop, then add the veteran players around the kids for a championship team.
stuck with Carlos Lee..wow can you be anymore of a what have you done for me lately person
The guy has been great for you guys the last 3 years, and he has a tough start to the year and you are stuck with him.
2007- 32/119/.303/.882
08- 28/100/.314/.937
09- 26/102/.300/.831
Any task BIG or small, Do it well or not at all
by Rickfansince76 on Aug 20, 2010 2:41 PM CDT up reply actions
with a guy Lee's age....
a year like this could signal a decline. not just an unlucky down season
Lee's been hitting lately and been a major key to the Astros wins (last night for example)
and hustling even before that.
Carlos Lee looked (was) lazy last year and people are still basing their judgements on that; plus he’s slow for an outfielder; plus he’s paid a lot of money that could be used on other players.
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 20, 2010 3:30 PM CDT up reply actions
And how has he done defensively over that same time period?
by seanbergmanrules on Aug 20, 2010 3:57 PM CDT up reply actions
As to the original question
depends on how you ask the question.
Do you think the current team can win a championship next year or two? If no, then the rebuilding is not over.
Do you think the current players are the best players the Astros can get at their respective positions for the budget the Astros have? If no, then they are not through rebuilding.
Do you think the Astros have some hot shots coming through the system? if yes, then they are not through rebuildng.
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 20, 2010 3:36 PM CDT reply actions
I'll ask it a different way...
Rebuilding doesn’t mean trading players…that happens to all teams every year. There’s always going to be trades, promotions, injuries, and demotions. Every team will continue to tweak its rosters.
But trading away key pieces of an organization and top-level talent, ala Oswalt and Berkman, to get prospects back…that’s rebuilding.
Based on performances the rest of the year by the rookies, the Astros could stand pat this offseason or spend some of the money they’ve saved.
Are we now watching the 2011 Astros or do you think they’re just showcasing their young talent as trade bait for some offseason trades and free agent acquistions? Will the real rebuilding take place this offseason?
What key pieces do Astros have left?
Hunter Pence ? Isn’t he young enough to fit in with the “prospect” category?
Wandy Rodriguez? maybe
Carlos Lee? – Isn’t he the only real key piece above the age of “prospect”?
I’m not sure the Astros have rebuilt though. They may just have acquired basic supplies. They didhn’t have the human or monetary capital to complete the building. There’s a lot of hammering and wiring to go. and of course more lumber is needed.
This may be the opening day 2011 roster (less the normal shuffling of peripheral players) but I doubt it will be the roster come next August or Opening Day 2012.
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Aug 21, 2010 3:51 PM CDT up reply actions
Good way of putting it, Joe.
I think the Astros will bring in some free agents, mostly of the NRI variety but perhaps a low cost major league contract if the Astros really like someone. Nobody on the infield has established himself yet as a sure bet to be a big part of the Astros’ future. My guess is that the Astros will continue looking for players with potential to be an upgrade at any of those positions. I think the same will be true of reserve outfielder slots. The Astros probably want a lot of competition and a lot of choices in spring training. Whether that means we see a similar lineup to today’s lineup taking the field or a different one may depend on how that competition works out.
I think the odds are against a major trade prior to the next opening day, but I wouldn’t completely rule it out.
I don't see any MLB free agents that would interest us
The one position where we have only replacement level players who clearly will never be part of the long term picture is shortstop, and the 2011 shortstop free agent class is atrocious. There isn’t one impact player who is going to be available and there may not even be a player likely to produce above 2 WAR. Plus, they are all old and entering the decline phase.
I could maybe see us trading for a shortstop or picking one up in the rule 5 draft, though. Depends on what’s available.
There are other positions we could maybe upgrade, but what’s the point? Every other position has players we at least need to find out about (CJ, Wallace), or are stuck with.
Depends on how you look at it.
Houston still has a lot of questions about it’s roster. They won’t know for sure how good the rookies (Castro, Wallace, Sanchez, Manzella, Johnson) truly are for at least another 1/2 season. They also have an abundance of questions in the rotation (what can they count on out of Happ, Norris, and Paulino).
While I do think that many of the players currently on the roster will still be around when Houston becomes a winning team again, I think there are enough key peices still missing to justify labeling the team as still rebuilding.
Before they are ready to contend again, the Astros will almost certainly need at least:
-an all-star power bat
-an ace starting pitcher
-a top of hte order hitter with high OBP
I don’t see anyone in the upper levels of the farm who is certainly ready to fill those roles (although Lyles and Martinez provide a modicum of hope to answer 2 of the 3).
That said, the farm seems to be back on track and the team will only improve from here, so I think Houston’s worst days are behind them.
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