The Future

[jaklewein]

I'm really starting to get excited about this team.  Both the trades made yesterday looked to be pretty good deals, especially the Justin Maxwell deal.  I'm excited because this rebuilding effort started with a minor league system that was basically bone dry and we all knew it was going to be at least a couple years before we'd see the first prospects arriving at the big league level.  It's definitely been a rough couple years but now we're going to get a chance to start seeing the fruits of Luhnow's labor.  Castro, Altuve and Dominguez are establishing themselves as regulars.  In the last month we've gotten to see Cosart and Villar get called up.  Now Hoes, Olberholtzer, Zied and Lo.  We all know that there is a washout rate with prospects but it seems to me like this system is now deep enough to combat that.  Hopefully this is the start of something special.

[Ebby Calvin]

I agree 100%.  I'm also hoping this will be the last trade deadline where we're expecting every player of value to be sent away.  I understand and support the reasons for doing so the last few years, but I'm getting a little sick of it.

[JimR]

I no doubt am in the small minority here, but I would not be quick to give up on Carter.

[BudGirl]

Is Carter your Wallace?

[jbm]

Can we at least be historically accurate as we describe the franchise hopefully improving?  The two propositions, that the minors were bone dry and that we are starting to see the fruits of Luhnow's labors (using examples almost exclusively obtained before Luhnow), cannot both be true.

Also, we all hope these are good deals, but let's just be honest in that we won't know for a long period of time.

ETA.  I hope JimR is right about Carter, as they sorely need bats.  But I am clearly one that just doesn't see it with him.  

[Reuben]

Yeah, Wade and Heck definitely deserve some credit. I'm not sure they fixed the farm as quickly and as well as they could have, but no one should act like they completely bombed either. Castro, Folty, DeShields, and Springer all look like excellent draft picks, and getting Singleton/Cosart/Santana/Zeid for Pence was undoubtedly an excellent trade.

As for Luhnow's prospect trades, yes, we won't know their ultimate impact for years, but you can certainly evaluate them now based on the players' ceilings and likelihood of fulfilling it. Unexpected injuries may happen, or players that you gave up may end up far exceeding any reasonable expectations (ie., Chris Johnson this year, or Ruggiano last year), but that does not mean they were stupid trades to make. It's all about risk and probability.

[jaklewein]

Can we at least be historically accurate as we describe the franchise hopefully improving?  The two propositions, that the minors were bone dry and that we are starting to see the fruits of Luhnow's labors (using examples almost exclusively obtained before Luhnow), cannot both be true.

Also, we all hope these are good deals, but let's just be honest in that we won't know for a long period of time.

ETA.  I hope JimR is right about Carter, as they sorely need bats.  But I am clearly one that just doesn't see it with him.  

Yes sir.  You're right, Ed Wade brought in Cosart and Villar, but nevertheless the system was bone dry before the rebuilding effort was started, even if it was Wade that started it.

As far as the prospects, I was honest.  I stated I understand there's a washout rate but that there is safety in numbers and for the first time in a long time, the numbers are on our side.  In addition, that situation should only get better with next year's draft picks and international bonus money at the club's disposal.

[JimR]

Is Carter your Wallace?

no, I like Wallace too and was hopeful that he finally had figured it out.

[HudsonHawk]

no, I like Wallace too and was hopeful that he finally had figured it out.

I'm with you on both Carter and Wallace.  Of course, I was hopeful of J.D. Martinez too...

[pots]

Is Carter your Wallace?

Carter just needs to hit at home like he does on the road.  165/276/329 versus 272/364/549

[MusicMan]

Carter just needs to hit at home like he does on the road.  165/276/329 versus 272/364/549

I'll take "things nobody saw coming" for $400.

[Jacksonian]

I'll take "things nobody saw coming" for $400.

IMO, his minor league work suggests he should be better at the plate than he has been overall.  Maybe he gets too much in his own head about being a slugger.  If so the short porch in left can't help and maybe helps explain the split.  His road numbers are what I would expect from seeing his minor league progression.

[MusicMan]

All I know is that any time I hear "The Crawford Boxes should really help (x)", I'm terrified.

They help lefties like Helton and Berkman who know how to poke good pitches that way.  THAT'S who they help.

[Fredia]

its almost like taking it on faith the astros organization has a  master plan and  be patient and wait. so far none of the moves have been to bizarre. i guess at this point that is enough

[JimR]

All I know is that any time I hear "The Crawford Boxes should really help (x)", I'm terrified.

They help lefties like Helton and Berkman who know how to poke good pitches that way.  THAT'S who they help.

making any hitter pull happy is not good

[Mr. Happy]

I no doubt am in the small minority here, but I would not be quick to give up on Carter.

I'm actually with you on this one.

[Jose Cruz III]

Carter just needs to hit at home like he does on the road.  165/276/329 versus 272/364/549

Hidalgo reincarnated

[strosrays]

I'm with you on both Carter and Wallace.  Of course, I was hopeful of J.D. Martinez too...

I'm still waiting for DWard to get his shit together.

[Ty in Tampa]

I'm still waiting for DWard to get his shit together.

U FOO!

[94CougarGrad]

making any hitter pull happy is not good

...yeah, I'm kinda thinkin' Mrs. Happy would have an opinion about that.

...that *is* what you were talking about, right?

[subnuclear]

I'm still waiting for DWard to get his shit together.

Man hit for the cycle. What more do you expect?

[Fredia]

and i got raked bout threeways?

[matadorph]

Luhnow was interviewed on Jay Mohr's radio show and they talked at length about "The Plan" and the future of the Astros in the long term. Very worth your time. Whatever it is Luhnow's selling, I'm buying.

Link

[jbm]

Thanks for the link. I think they are heading in the right direction and Luhnow is a smart, but Mohr was basically a fucking cheerleader. 

I'd like to see Luhnow do some tough interviews, where he is actually asked some difficult questions and is challenged.  Even though I am pretty much a believer in him, but not necessarily the ownership, his smugness/complete disregard for the current shitshow somewhat grates on me. 

[subnuclear]

Luhnow was interviewed on Jay Mohr's radio show and they talked at length about "The Plan" and the future of the Astros in the long term. Very worth your time. Whatever it is Luhnow's selling, I'm buying.

Link

Mohr is a little bro-tastic for me, but the story about Bo Porter is good. I'm not sure what to think of Luhnow except that he seems to be a very good interview.

[juliogotay]

Mohr belittled Norris and I thought Luhnow did a poor job of building him up. Even though he is no longer his player, I'm sure he built him up while trying to move him. I thought Bud deserved a little better response than that from Luhnow of "he has value to a contending team" IIRC.

[Randy Watson]

I no doubt am in the small minority here, but I would not be quick to give up on Carter.

Agreed.  100%. 

[Ron Brand]

I no doubt am in the small minority here, but I would not be quick to give up on Carter.

Shit. It's taking every single bit I've got to not give up on the whole fucking thing. Fucking Ranger fan just came into my office to let me know that Fox Sports was going to rebroadcast the afternoon game tonight if I wanted to watch it. He was trying to be nice but I told him I wasn't interested in watching this team get beat again and again and again, day after day after day.

"I know. I've been there."

"No, I don't think you have. Not where this team is now, you haven't."

"Well, no, I guess we haven't."

Fuck. Everything. I don't know where I got it together enough to fucking post this, I'm so worn out and ground down.

I am bile. I am smoldering hatred. I am what's left of an Astro fan.

[Mr. Happy]

Shit. It's taking every single bit I've got to not give up on the whole fucking thing. Fucking Ranger fan just came into my office to let me know that Fox Sports was going to rebroadcast the afternoon game tonight if I wanted to watch it. He was trying to be nice but I told him I wasn't interested in watching this team get beat again and again and again, day after day after day.

"I know. I've been there."

"No, I don't think you have. Not where this team is now, you haven't."

"Well, no, I guess we haven't."

Fuck. Everything. I don't know where I got it together enough to fucking post this, I'm so worn out and ground down.

I am bile. I am smoldering hatred. I am what's left of an Astro fan.

There, there. Don't let it get to you like that. They seem to have a plan.

[pots]

The only way to follow this team happily right now is to type milb.com.  Every non-intructional team except for the Star-studded QC team is currently in the playoffs (as of today).   And QC versus Cedar Rapids should be an interesting battle for the postseason there (1.5 games back with 21 games left; 3 against Cedar Rapids at home)

[Jacksonian]

The only way to follow this team happily right now is to type milb.com.  Every non-intructional team except for the Star-studded QC team is currently in the playoffs (as of today).   And QC versus Cedar Rapids should be an interesting battle for the postseason there (1.5 games back with 21 games left; 3 against Cedar Rapids at home)

Actually, as of today QC is in.  They would be the 2nd half wild card team. 

[pots]

Actually, as of today QC is in.  They would be the 2nd half wild card team.  

Wow, didn't realize they take 8 of 16 teams for the playoffs.  Definitely takes some of the prestige away.

[Jacksonian]

Wow, didn't realize they take 8 of 16 teams for the playoffs.  Definitely takes some of the prestige away.

It's likely a recognition of the volatility of the rosters at that level.

[das]

The only way to follow this team happily right now is to type milb.com.  Every non-intructional team except for the Star-studded QC team is currently in the playoffs (as of today).   And QC versus Cedar Rapids should be an interesting battle for the postseason there (1.5 games back with 21 games left; 3 against Cedar Rapids at home)

I entertain myself with the end-of-season race. Each day I check to see if the Astros and Marlins have won or lost and how many games separate the two teams.

[pots]

I entertain myself with the end-of-season race. Each day I check to see if the Astros and Marlins have won or lost and how many games separate the two teams.

You can add entertainment value by checking the White Sox as well

[Ty in Tampa]

Shit. It's taking every single bit I've got to not give up on the whole fucking thing. Fucking Ranger fan just came into my office to let me know that Fox Sports was going to rebroadcast the afternoon game tonight if I wanted to watch it. He was trying to be nice but I told him I wasn't interested in watching this team get beat again and again and again, day after day after day.

"I know. I've been there."

"No, I don't think you have. Not where this team is now, you haven't."

"Well, no, I guess we haven't."

Fuck. Everything. I don't know where I got it together enough to fucking post this, I'm so worn out and ground down.

I am bile. I am smoldering hatred. I am what's left of an Astro fan.

I'm glad I got that out of my system last year. An entire season of not caring has me surprisingly upbeat for where this team is going.

[Mark Arm]

Shit. It's taking every single bit I've got to not give up on the whole fucking thing. Fucking Ranger fan just came into my office to let me know that Fox Sports was going to rebroadcast the afternoon game tonight if I wanted to watch it. He was trying to be nice but I told him I wasn't interested in watching this team get beat again and again and again, day after day after day.

"I know. I've been there."

"No, I don't think you have. Not where this team is now, you haven't."

"Well, no, I guess we haven't."

Fuck. Everything. I don't know where I got it together enough to fucking post this, I'm so worn out and ground down.

I am bile. I am smoldering hatred. I am what's left of an Astro fan.

Relax. Soon something will reveal itself.

[MusicMan]

Relax. Soon something will reveal itself.

Someone had Chinese for lunch.

[JimR]

Shit. It's taking every single bit I've got to not give up on the whole fucking thing. Fucking Ranger fan just came into my office to let me know that Fox Sports was going to rebroadcast the afternoon game tonight if I wanted to watch it. He was trying to be nice but I told him I wasn't interested in watching this team get beat again and again and again, day after day after day.

"I know. I've been there."

"No, I don't think you have. Not where this team is now, you haven't."

"Well, no, I guess we haven't."

Fuck. Everything. I don't know where I got it together enough to fucking post this, I'm so worn out and ground down.

I am bile. I am smoldering hatred. I am what's left of an Astro fan.

first of all, it is just a game, and they'll play a whole bunch of them next year. don't take it so hard.

more important, I really believe this front office is building a solid foundation for good times.

[Matt]

All of my Angels fan friends are in a state of depression because they had these lofty expectations of playoff runs. They wonder why I'm so upbeat and can make fun of my team's woes and its because I had ZERO aspirations for the season.

[Mr. Happy]

first of all, it is just a game, and they'll play a whole bunch of them next year. don't take it so hard.

more important, I really believe this front office is building a solid foundation for good times.

+1 on both scores

[Jacksonian]

first of all, it is just a game, and they'll play a whole bunch of them next year. don't take it so hard.

more important, I really believe this front office is building a solid foundation for good times.

This.  And, if you haven't noticed, the starting pitching has been damned fine lately.  Keuchel has been better than I ever expected him to be.  The pipeline has an enormous amount of pitching depth that will likely only increase after next year's draft.  Too, who knows what talent Luhnow will pull in over the Void.

[94CougarGrad]

Shit. It's taking every single bit I've got to not give up on the whole fucking thing. Fucking Ranger fan just came into my office to let me know that Fox Sports was going to rebroadcast the afternoon game tonight if I wanted to watch it. He was trying to be nice but I told him I wasn't interested in watching this team get beat again and again and again, day after day after day.

"I know. I've been there."

"No, I don't think you have. Not where this team is now, you haven't."

"Well, no, I guess we haven't."

Fuck. Everything. I don't know where I got it together enough to fucking post this, I'm so worn out and ground down.

I am bile. I am smoldering hatred. I am what's left of an Astro fan.

It's frustrating, but I have to believe it'll be okay at some point. Remember... God bless Jim Gott.

At least we suck with style. Fell victim to Yu's record strikeouts, but busted his no-hitter and shut-out. I'll take their small accomplishments wherever I can.

[juliogotay]

All of my Angels fan friends are in a state of depression because they had these lofty expectations of playoff runs. They wonder why I'm so upbeat and can make fun of my team's woes and its because I had ZERO aspirations for the season.

The Angels are  probaby in for a long dry spell. Too many high $$ contracts and poor MiL system. Houston is the anti-Angels.

[Mr. Happy]

It's frustrating, but I have to believe it'll be okay at some point. Remember... God bless Jim Gott.

At least we suck with style. Fell victim to Yu's record strikeouts, but busted his no-hitter and shut-out. I'll take their small accomplishments wherever I can.

We actually could have 15-20 more wins if we had any bully.

[NeilT]

We actually could have 15-20 more wins if we had any bully.

There's just nothing more painful than those 20 losses have been.

[OregonStrosFan]

There's just nothing more painful than those 20 losses have been.

I've found it much easier to follow the team by counting 'moral victories' as opposed to actual wins.  Hell, two late inning Yu perfecto break-ups count for at least 4 W's in my book...

[The Spleen]

I've found it much easier to follow the team by counting 'moral victories' as opposed to actual wins.  Hell, two late inning Yu perfecto break-ups count for at least 4 W's in my book...

Schadenfreude... it's like German chocolate cake for the soul...

[strosrays]

... Mohr was basically a fucking cheerleader.

He was pretty good on The Ghost Whisperer.

Or maybe that was the chick. Jennifer Something-Something.

[Matt]

The Angels are  probaby in for a long dry spell. Too many high $$ contracts and poor MiL system. Houston is the anti-Angels.

That's what I tell them. Laugh now, you guys are next. Farm system ranked at #29 and they'll be paying aging veterans ridiculous contracts. Sound familiar?

[juliogotay]

We actually could have 15-20 more wins if we had any bully.

I would like to see what the team record would be after six innings.

[Limey]

He was pretty good on The Ghost Whisperer.

Or maybe that was the chick. Jennifer Something-Something.

Jennifer Love Lyboobies

[MusicMan]

Shit. It's taking every single bit I've got to not give up on the whole fucking thing. Fucking Ranger fan just came into my office to let me know that Fox Sports was going to rebroadcast the afternoon game tonight if I wanted to watch it. He was trying to be nice but I told him I wasn't interested in watching this team get beat again and again and again, day after day after day.

"I know. I've been there."

"No, I don't think you have. Not where this team is now, you haven't."

"Well, no, I guess we haven't."

Fuck. Everything. I don't know where I got it together enough to fucking post this, I'm so worn out and ground down.

I am bile. I am smoldering hatred. I am what's left of an Astro fan.

"It's not your fault.  It's not your fault.  It's not your fault."

"I chose the Astros."
"Why?"
"Why? Because fuck Bud Selig, that's why."