Astros Things I Think I Think
by David Coleman on Jul 19, 2011 10:01 AM CDT
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First of all, I'm sorry everyone. I totally dropped the ball on the game thread both Saturday and Monday. Just flat out forgot them. Really bummed me out that I did it, too, but I have somewhat of an excuse. See, I started moving on Friday and have just been out of sorts since. I've had sporadic internet access over the next few days, but my internet at my new place won't be turned on until Wednesday, so I've been mooching where I can. It's led to...lapses...they won't happen again (for a while).
With that out of the way, let's get to some random thoughts I've had on the team (with apologies to Peter King)...
...Why on earth did Jordan Lyles throw into the ninth inning Monday? Does Brad Mills just hate his bullpen that much? Or, was this his sneaky way of effing up the innings cap, by throwing all 60 of his remaining innings in one game?
...There was once a time that Wilton Lopez was effective. Clack even mentioned him as a possible closer candidate and I bought the case without question. That hasn't been the case this season. I haven't seen a bullpen this barren since the 2000 season, when Joe Slusarski was one of the most dependable guys on the staff.
...If Jim Crane wants to make a good impression on fans, letting word leak that he wants to trim the budget down to $60 million is a pretty terrible way to do it.
...I was shocked at how well Clint Barmes rated in FanGraphs' WAR stats. Do you know he's got a 1.8 fWAR right now? That's obscenely high, which means this awful team could be much, much worse if they hadn't made that Felipe Paulino trade. The Astros will still never get nearly his $9.8 million projected value in a trade, but they do appear to have bought low on a guy having a career year so far.
...Is every national reporter going to check in with an opinion on what Houston should do? You've got guys like Jon Heyman and Nick Cafardo basically ripping this team apart with trades, but the local guys keep plugging away, writing solid content about the worst team in the majors. Of course everyone on the team is available! They're awful right now. That doesn't mean the team will get gutted, either. At least, it won't unless Crane decides he wants payroll reduced in a big way.
...Was talking to a guy who runs an Internet radio show the other day and he asked about the Pittsburgh Pirates. Am I rooting for them to stay above .500 at all? I told him, 'Not really,' because I'm not. I could care less about the Pirates. I just want the Astros to beat them, like I do every other team in the NL Central. I don't care that they've lost a bunch, because they're still playing Houston. That's my biggest problem with realignment. I wouldn't care about the rivalries as much (at first, anyway).
...Looking through Houston's system for pitching prospects, I was also a little shocked at how few there are right now. With Tanner Bushue's struggles and Mike Foltynewicz' low K/high BB season, things aren't looking so hot. I think both of them could bounce back, but this is not a system blessed with pitching. I'd expect Houston to go after two or three high-level pitching prospects in any deals this July.
...Is it August yet? Wait, what am I saying? At least the July deadline talk is giving us something to discuss about this team. What happens after that goes away? Wait until Crane takes over?
...In case you didn't see last night, bring me your best "Jordan Lyles still lost" story and win a $75 gift card to Dick's Sporting Goods. I'll take entries through Jordan's next start and my favorite will get the card.
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I think...
…3 players will be traded. Keppinger for sure, one of Myers/Wandy, and one of Pence/Bourn.
…I agree that the farm is relatively barren of top flight pitching prospects. It’s heavy in back end, 3-4-5 guys, but all the guys with ace potential are in the lower levels and have major question marks.
…if Houston’s 2013 and 2014 payroll are anywhere near $60M, the team will be getting a lot less of my attention.
…unless they call up a bunch of guys or acquire some big time youngsters, this team will be hard to follow after the trade deadline. For now, I’m on pins and needles waiting to see what’s gonna happen between now and 31 July.
…if Houston gets a major league ready stud SS and 2 near ready stud SP prospects at the deadline, the team’s record could be much improved next year.
I just don't understand
why any Astro fan would want the new owner to spend right away on FAs when they would cost the Astros valuable draft position and picks. It’s stupid to think that you should immediately re-invest Carloss Lee’s 18.5M as soon as it comes off the books. You do that when you need 2-3 players to make a run at the playoffs. The Astros have holes all over the field. If they were smart the Astros would have a completely different lineup in 3-4 years with no holdovers from this team that are going into their 30s.
I could care less what the payroll is because I know that the Astros aren’t going to be good until the start developing their own talent again. That’s not an overnight change, but if you invest heavily in scouting and signing over slot, then you can get it back quick. I would rather the Astros have a lower major league payroll and spend the extra money in their scouting department. Plus this allows Crane to pay off some of his debt, such that, when the Astros are ready to contend again, he can raise the payroll and go get that 1-3 player(s) that make a major difference.
If they are getting less of your attention then you are a shitty fan to begin with, and the Astros are better off without you.
by Neil Leininger on Jul 19, 2011 11:22 AM CDT up reply actions
Anybody who has continued to stick with the Astros for the past couple years is a true fan, in my opinion.
by pacbellpilgrim on Jul 19, 2011 11:39 AM CDT up reply actions 3 recs
I’m not going to question SD’s fandom. He spends a lot of effort following and writing fanposts about the Astros. I can’t blame anyone who wants to back off of a high expenditure of time based on their perception of the team’s direction.
by clack on Jul 19, 2011 11:46 AM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
I use to watch the games all the time...
Now I just catch one every now and then.. because I already know what’s going to happen!
by entropic soul on Jul 19, 2011 4:01 PM CDT up reply actions
Neil Leininger
is an awesome poster. He makes a positive contribution to the site. He is objective and respects the opinions of others. He is knowledgable and I’m sure a high quality human being. I’m glad he exists. I love internet tough guys.
by Snake Diggity on Jul 19, 2011 4:36 PM CDT up reply actions 4 recs
Poor Snake Diggity.
It’s my opinion, that your opinion is shitty. Doesn’t mean it’s wrong or right. Just what I think. Geeze, grow a pair and stop getting your feelings hurt because someone disagrees with your opinion.
And while we are on the subject of the internet, why hide behind a internet-psuedonym?
by Neil Leininger on Jul 19, 2011 4:50 PM CDT up reply actions
Here is a suggestion. If you want to discuss the team or the front office. Discuss it. But don’t attack the commenters on this site. That’s not the way to go about your business here.
by clack on Jul 19, 2011 5:53 PM CDT up reply actions 4 recs
Questioning fandom?
That’s pretty lame. Just because the opinion of a fan may differ from the direction of the team does that make it wrong? I dont think so. The “truth” is a very hazy thing in sports and if there was a clear cut way to get this team on the right track then there would not be soo many bad and middle of the road teams? There is no exact science to building good teams.
I am not in favor of a cheap team nor am I in favor of being modeled after the A’s, Orioles, Pirates, and royals…..
My preference would be to have a Steinbrenner type own the astros and to turn out a competitive product year in and year out no matter what the cost.
Owning a franchise I a privledge and if an owner does not see it that way then he needs to go sell widgets.
If Crane does go cheap on us
Then I think that the label “widget boy” would be entirely appropriate.
by pacbellpilgrim on Jul 19, 2011 4:23 PM CDT up reply actions
I think he'll be cheap
Until he gets some excitement back in the team through the minors. Once he gets a little money from a rise in attendance (JD Martinez, Altuve) then he’ll probably start adding pieces.
by Its Gonna Happen on Jul 19, 2011 4:43 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Thats what I think too.
And Im completely fine with it. Prefer it that way even.
Build through the draft, IFA’s and trades.
Spend your money in the draft – (like what Pittsburgh and Toronto have been doing) and IFAs (like what… Pittsburgh and Toronto have been doing) and trade with someone other than the Phillies! Unless its for Dom Brown. :D
by YohannDookeyblue on Jul 19, 2011 4:55 PM CDT up reply actions
Ed Wade is that you or is this Uncle Drayton
by Nado2036 on Jul 19, 2011 2:39 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
Know u dont
hes going to need money to keep these so called players they develop in droves to. Where is that going to come from? The seats that are over run with fans watching a team with young players who cant compete? I doubt this guy has a money pit somewhere in waiting. if the team cant compete the fans arent going to come and what money will he have to keep these players after their contracts are up and when they didnt make the playoffs because they had no veterans on the team. How is Crane going to pay off debt with a young team who cant compete. He still has to sign these so called prospects to. Wheres that come from? You have to spend money to make money.
Team
He still needs to put a competitive team on the field and draw fans. They dont need to go FA crazy. But a player or two that will help this team compete and get fans in the seats. You have to get fans to make money or you can forget about ever signing any good FA’s. But i believe you have to spend money to make money. Why are new owners even approved if they are not going to improve a team right away. This just tells me this new ownership doesnt have the kind of financial backing to make a successful organization. If your going to buy a team wouldnt you want it to be succesful as soon as possible? This new owner is doing nothing but fullfilling a dream and checking a goal off his list of owning an MLB team. What happens if this team somehow made a push for postseason next year? Would he spend? Could he spend? (I know its farfetched but you have to examine the possibility) Will he be able to sign our own top FA when the time comes? My bet is he doesnt have that kind of money to make this a consistently successful team in the years to come unless the fans come out consistently in high numbers. Meaning he doesnt have the funds of his own to inject into this team if the situation arose that it was needed to keep or sign a player(s).
…If Jim Crane wants to make a good impression on fans, letting word leak that he wants to trim the budget down to $60 million is a pretty terrible way to do it.
That’s one of the reasons I am skeptical of the report. First, Crane has been very tight lipped about all of his plans. I have been impressed by the lack of leaks from the Crane camp. Second, for a guy who seems to like having control over his “message,” this doesn’t seem like something he would want to come out right now. And certainly not in this way. This has the smell of rumors created by someone who has a reason to put it out there. Perhaps execs for potential buyers who want to decrease the Astros’ leverage in trade talks. Maybe someone who wants to make Crane look bad. He certainly has his detractors.
by clack on Jul 19, 2011 11:03 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
I haven’t been around an internet connection in the last few days for the game threads. (But I did watch the games…not sure that’s anything to brag about, though.) Otherwise, I would have fixed the game thread oversights. Sorry about that.
I may not be around for tonight’s game thread either. It’s my birthday, and I probably will go out for a b-day dinner. My recollection is that it’s Wilton Lopez’s birthday too. Also, Preston Wilson’s birthday.
by clack on Jul 19, 2011 11:33 AM CDT reply actions 1 recs
So nice of you to celebrate Preston Wilson's birthday this way
But seriously, happy birthday clack.
by pacbellpilgrim on Jul 19, 2011 1:10 PM CDT up reply actions
Wallace is batting 3rd today
Bourn
Keppinger
Wallace
Pence
Lee
Johnson
Barmes
Quintero
Happ
Honestly, I like this lineup.
http://www.FireBradMills.com
http://www.FireEdWade.com
Hard for me to like any lineup featuring Barmes and Quintero…but given the roster, yeah, I like it too.
by Snake Diggity on Jul 19, 2011 2:56 PM CDT up reply actions
Honestly really surprised by this lineup.
I really think this lineup would have won us a few games if it would have been implemented in May.
Thats a lineup I can get behind
And Happy Birthday Clackers
by Its Gonna Happen on Jul 19, 2011 3:21 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
I don’t know. I do like Happ in the lineup, but it means he’s pitching, so….
by MadMartygan on Jul 19, 2011 3:53 PM CDT up reply actions 2 recs
I wonder if Wade told Mills
to stop benching Wallace and to start hitting him higher in the lineup. I’m not sure Mills is smart enough to come to this lineup without input from his boss.
by Neil Leininger on Jul 19, 2011 4:29 PM CDT up reply actions
I think he is trying to look for something that works
The lineup’s been different day to day. Finally glad Wallace has been plugged into the 3-hole.
http://www.FireBradMills.com
http://www.FireEdWade.com
Heard Mills on 620 today and when the guy asked him about Wallace hitting more
He said (paraphrasing) “Ehhh we’ll see, he’s still very young and we dont wanna destroy his confidence. But Wallace will face more lefty’s and get more at bats. He should get around 500 PA’s this year” So take that for what you will.
He also said “Lyles was glad he got to go back out in the 9th. He understands you’re not gonna win every game, but he knows he’ll win a lot, he’s a smart kid.” blablablba…
Hey Mills !HE’S !#$#! 20 years old. Hes competitive and he probably thinks he’s invincible (I sure did when I was 20) Handle with care man.
by YohannDookeyblue on Jul 19, 2011 4:37 PM CDT reply actions
IT HAS BEGUN.. Dum, Dum, dum
The Astros traded Jeff Keppinger to the Giants for RHPs Henry Sosa and Jason Stoffel. Jose Altuve called up. And away we go…
by YohannDookeyblue on Jul 19, 2011 5:16 PM CDT reply actions
HOLY CRAP.
This is Uber aggressive by the FO. Seems like they’re still trying to save the season at the expense of our future. Ridiculous.
Although I think Atluve can handle it.
by YohannDookeyblue on Jul 19, 2011 5:29 PM CDT up reply actions
It is aggressive for sure. I don’t think they are trying to save the season. It actually says the opposite. What do we have in Jose Altuve, can he be someone we can expect to be a solid regular if not more? Kind of surprised they didn’t send him to AAA and promote Anderson Hernandez until September.
here's my story and i'm sticking to it
1. carlos lee is taking up 3 decent roster spots on the payroll. we cannot do a thing until he is gone. that is the end of next season. so.
2. mills is a bad manager. he may be a good manger some day, learning on the job so to speak. he is a bad manger right now.
when was our last good manager…Larry Dierker?
I'd say Phil Garner was our last good manager
Not sure if I think that more because we got to the World Series with him, or because I really didn’t care for Jimy Williams before him …but I’d say he was good.
"Hats for bats, keep bats warm."
by El Speverino on Jul 19, 2011 6:59 PM CDT up reply actions
Henry Sosa - uhh,,,, he kind of sucks.
Stoffel doesnt look like anything special. Damn.
by YohannDookeyblue on Jul 19, 2011 5:17 PM CDT reply actions
Exactly what I thought.
I think Sosa is gonna be a Lucas Harrel type player. Or whatever that guys name is we have in AAA from waivers from the White Sox I think. And Stoffel is just eh, could turn into another David Carpenter maybe?
I’m not sure what to expect in return for Kepp, but two relievers! Such an Ed Wade move. Sosa has started before, but projects best as a reliever.
The only other way we would of got a better return for him is adding him to a deal with another player,and I just did not see that happening.
No, we could get a better return than organizational RP depth and a second year pro AA RP. We could have at least gotten a raw “toolsy” sleeper or older starter.
Maybe we could of, Im honestly just fine with it because Altuve is being called up ,and I really feel this is the beginning of many moves before the deadline..
22 is close enough to Top 20
Stoffel was their #22 prospect, according to Baseball America. Plus we also got their #29 prospect.
by Matt McDougle on Jul 19, 2011 6:59 PM CDT up reply actions
Im not as down on this trade as you guys are bc i have a feeling that with Hooten's
penchant for fixing pitchers is what Wade is looking at with Sosa. Stoffel is only 20 or 21 and has plaenty of time to fix any problems or to just get the hell out of the Cal League which might help also.
Those guys are not in the Astros top 30
And our farm system is weaker than the Giants. So that’s not really comparable. It’s more like, I don’t know… Xavier Cedeno and Daniel Meszaros as the best comp I can come up with, but still neither of those guys are quite at the level of what we got back, I don’t think.
http://www.crawfishboxes.com
Im thinking we could have got more for Kepp.
Hell, I wouldve rather have kept Kepp.
What really irks me is this is probably STILL about this year and trying to fix our bullpen, especially with Sosa in tow.
Freakin Ed Wade man…
by YohannDookeyblue on Jul 19, 2011 5:26 PM CDT reply actions
So what if it is.
Keppinger is older than Bill Hall, who he ironically will replace in SF. You trade mediocre utility players for pitching everyday.
by Neil Leininger on Jul 19, 2011 5:35 PM CDT up reply actions
Actually, Kepp has shown he is an above average utility guy and can even be a solid regular. He’s worth a toolsy C position prospect.
You aren't going to get much for a career
utility IF. Keppinger wanted out, and the Astros did him a solid trading him to a team that is going to win their division and play in the playoffs.
The Astros BP is so bad that there is no downside to trying out another couple of arms to see if they can do any better than what’s currently out there.
by Neil Leininger on Jul 19, 2011 5:33 PM CDT up reply actions
altuve is gonna start at 2nd according to mills hes "his 2nd basemen"
If i were Arnold Rothstein id pay Ryan Braun all the money he
wants to stop going on homer streaks against the poor Astros....
am i the only one?
by ccislanders on Jul 19, 2011 5:42 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
I expect him to start off struggling,but how amazing would it be if he made an impact right off the bat?
It would be awesome
as long as he sucks against the Dodgers! :)
I think JB Shuck might be the next guy who gets the call.
yah i know
If i were Arnold Rothstein id pay Ryan Braun all the money he
wants to stop going on homer streaks against the poor Astros....
am i the only one?
by ccislanders on Jul 19, 2011 6:13 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
What do I win!? :O
1-4 with a single and a failed bunt or two?
Choose the pop up!
It could get lost in the lights!
by Its Gonna Happen on Jul 19, 2011 6:43 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Ok maybe a dribbler
Hits it to a Melancon/Lyles type, overthrown to first, SAFE!!!
by Its Gonna Happen on Jul 19, 2011 6:51 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Just a quick thought
Everybody seems to be down on our pen, why? F-Rod seems solid, An-Rod we have to keep, Lopez is usually very reliable, Carpenter is new but has been very good, Melancon is still young but has been pretty effective, we really didn’t need to trade one of our best bats for two high ERA minor leaguers.
by Its Gonna Happen on Jul 19, 2011 6:27 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
Will there be a game thread tonight?
Game’s on
Astros fan for life
by Joe in Birmingham on Jul 19, 2011 7:13 PM CDT reply actions
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3 game series vs Dodgers @ Dodger Stadium
| Fri 05/25 |
WP: Lucas Harrell (4 - 3)
SV: Brett Myers LP: Clayton Kershaw (4 - 2) |
3 - 1 win |
| Sat 05/26 |
WP: Kenley Jansen (4 - 0)
LP: Wesley Wright (0 - 1) |
3 - 6 loss |
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Houston Astros
Sunday, May 27, 2012, 3:10 PM CDT Partly cloudy. Winds blowing out to right field at 10-15 m.p.h. Game time temperature around 75. |
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NL Central Standings
| W | L | PCT | GB | STRK | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cincinnati
|
26 | 20 | .565 | 0 | Won 1 |
|
St. Louis
|
25 | 22 | .531 | 1.5 | Lost 3 |
|
Houston
|
22 | 24 | .478 | 4 | Lost 1 |
|
Pittsburgh
|
22 | 24 | .478 | 4 | Won 2 |
|
Milwaukee
|
19 | 27 | .413 | 7 | Lost 1 |
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Chicago
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15 | 31 | .326 | 11 | Lost 11 |
(updated 5.27.2012 at 1:03 AM CDT)
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