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General Discussion => Talk Zone => Topic started by: OregonStrosFan on August 16, 2008, 06:22:43 pm

Title: Dainty to the DL
Post by: OregonStrosFan on August 16, 2008, 06:22:43 pm
Matsui has been placed on the 15 DL.  J.R. House's contract has been purchased from Round Rock.  LINK (http://houston.astros.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080816&content_id=3319478&vkey=news_hou&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou)

Edited to get rid of JdJO link
Title: Re: Dainty to the DL
Post by: JimR on August 17, 2008, 07:43:23 am
ok, i give up. what does "Dainty" mean in the context of Matsui?
Title: Re: Dainty to the DL
Post by: Col. Sphinx Drummond on August 17, 2008, 09:06:35 am
ok, i give up. what does "Dainty" mean in the context of Matsui?

I think he's implying that Matsui is delicate. Or tasty.
Title: Re: Dainty to the DL
Post by: dirty steve on August 17, 2008, 09:40:25 am
Cooper said he might even send Lance Berkman to the outfield if House's bat catches fire, putting him in at first.
seriously?  I understand the need to keep as many productive bats in the lineup at one time, but to displace berkman for house?
Title: Re: Dainty to the DL
Post by: Ron Brand on August 17, 2008, 09:44:08 am
House's bat makes up for his defense.
Title: Re: Dainty to the DL
Post by: dirty steve on August 17, 2008, 10:01:25 am
House's bat makes up for his defense.
that's cool and all, but to move berkman off 1B to make room for JR House?
Title: Re: Dainty to the DL
Post by: Ron Brand on August 17, 2008, 10:30:49 am
Dude. You must check for sarcasm first.
Title: Re: Dainty to the DL
Post by: Noe on August 18, 2008, 12:10:29 pm
Cooper said he might even send Lance Berkman to the outfield if House's bat catches fire, putting him in at first.
seriously?  I understand the need to keep as many productive bats in the lineup at one time, but to displace berkman for house?

Displace Pence for House.  Berkman stays in the lineup, not Pence.
Title: Re: Dainty to the DL
Post by: JimR on August 18, 2008, 12:12:39 pm
Displace Pence for House.  Berkman stays in the lineup, not Pence.

how can he not understand that? incredible.
Title: Re: Dainty to the DL
Post by: Reuben on August 18, 2008, 12:14:50 pm
Displace Pence for House.  Berkman stays in the lineup, not Pence.
Or displace Blum, Berkman to LF, Wigginton at 3B. I think Steve's beef might've been with moving Lance off of 1B and into the outfield.
Title: Re: Dainty to the DL
Post by: mihoba on August 18, 2008, 12:19:38 pm
Displace Pence for House.  Berkman stays in the lineup, not Pence.

Not a chance IMO. House would displace Blum in the lineup with Wiggy going back to 3B against lefties, putting Berkman in LF.
Title: Re: Dainty to the DL
Post by: TheWizard on August 18, 2008, 12:19:51 pm
Or we could just shut it down for the season, put up the "closed for business" sign in front of MMP, and open up shop next season to try again.
Title: Re: Dainty to the DL
Post by: MusicMan on August 18, 2008, 12:20:16 pm
Me, I prefer wasting sportswriters' time...
Title: Re: Dainty to the DL
Post by: Noe on August 18, 2008, 12:41:36 pm
Or displace Blum, Berkman to LF, Wigginton at 3B. I think Steve's beef might've been with moving Lance off of 1B and into the outfield.

Understood, but Cooper was not talking about displacing Berkman at all with this move.  It is Pence who is the one that he's talking about if Berkman is to go to right field where he's played in the past.  And really shouldn't that be a larger red flag to latch onto in what Cooper said.  I understand about the concern defensively though and to that you just have to think that 1) Berkman has done well enough in RF to warrant no fears in that move and 2) we're talking corner infield and corner outfield positions so Cooper knows he can take a chance if he wants more offense in the lineup.

Why isn't anyone looking at this and thinking "hmmmm... is Cooper saying he would easily replace House's bat for Pence if given a chance?".  That's quite a story given how much there is a need (IMHO) to give the youngsters a chance to play (re: Bourn, Pence, et. al.).  Looks like Cooper is a veterans type of manager by these sort of moves.

If however, Cooper is wanting to move out Wiggington from left field and move Pence or Berkman there, then you're correct that he's looking at the lack of offense from somebody in the outfield so you have to think who and where.  Is it Blum lacking offense at third that is weighing into this situation or Cooper now showing some traits that he's prone to lift youngsters when necessary?  In any situation, the idea of Berkman playing a corner outfield position isn't a big deal at all.  He can handle it.  So is it Pence or Blum (assuming Wiggington's hot bat keeps him in the lineup and Cooper moves him to third)?  Pick your poison.  But it does mean that House will need an extended looksee if Cooper wants to see if he's swinging a hot bat right now.
Title: Re: Dainty to the DL
Post by: Noe on August 18, 2008, 12:48:58 pm
Not a chance IMO. House would displace Blum in the lineup with Wiggy going back to 3B against lefties, putting Berkman in LF.

Both scenarios work, so yes (although why would you platoon Wiggington right now?).  I was merely throwing it out there that perhaps Pence will sit.  Either way, it's not about Berkman, it's about sitting either Blum or Pence and I'm not so sure Pence has a secure lineup spot as people might think.

Just saying.
Title: Re: Dainty to the DL
Post by: MusicMan on August 18, 2008, 12:49:08 pm
Is it Blum lacking offense at third that is weighing into this situation or Cooper now showing some traits that he's prone to lift youngsters when necessary?

Seems appropriate to point out that Bourn's ass seems firmly stapled to the bench at this point.
Title: Re: Dainty to the DL
Post by: MusicMan on August 18, 2008, 12:50:48 pm
Hunter Pence, August: .203/.261/.406

Coop is increasingly playing matchups, and has all but stated that only Berkman and Tejada are guaranteed of playing every day (although Wigginton should be in that category.)
Title: Re: Dainty to the DL
Post by: Noe on August 18, 2008, 12:50:58 pm
Seems appropriate to point out that Bourn's ass seems firmly stapled to the bench at this point.

Which makes no sense to me and why I speculate if Pence could be given some bench duty to clear his head a little.  He does seem to be pressing a bit.
Title: Re: Dainty to the DL
Post by: MusicMan on August 18, 2008, 12:51:35 pm
Which makes no sense to me and why I speculate if Pence could be given some bench duty to clear his head a little.  He does seem to be pressing a bit.

Nothing about Coop's use of Bourn has made any sense at any point in the season.
Title: Re: Dainty to the DL
Post by: Noe on August 18, 2008, 12:53:06 pm
Hunter Pence, August: .203/.261/.406

Coop is increasingly playing matchups, and has all but stated that only Berkman and Tejada are guaranteed of playing every day (although Wigginton should be in that category.)

Yes.  'Tis why I think Cooper would not hesitate to make such a move right now.  I don't agree with it any more than I agree with the Bourn move but what do I know?  Nothing, that's what.  Cooper thinks 90 wins can be achieved and if he does then he's going to put out his best nine guys on the field to try and get those 90 wins.  Pence can't be considered untouchable in that frame of mind by Cooper... IMHO.
Title: Re: Dainty to the DL
Post by: mihoba on August 18, 2008, 12:53:47 pm
Both scenarios work, so yes.  I was merely throwing it out there that perhaps Pence will sit.  Either way, it's not about Berkman, it's about sitting either Blum or Pence and I'm not so sure Pence has a secure lineup spot as people might think.

Just saying.

I hear you, I'm only assuming Coop would want House in the lineup against lefties, so moving Lance to left and returning Wiggy to third would only 'displace' one player defensively.

I'm well aware of Spaz's shortcomings, but I still don't see him being benched for House, against lefties.

ETA:
Title: Re: Dainty to the DL
Post by: MusicMan on August 18, 2008, 12:55:08 pm
By the way... the Astros have 3 of the bottom 12 players in OBP in the NL (for qualifying AB's).  Bourn (.281), Pence (.303), and Tejada (.317).

I knew Pence and Miggy had struggled, but I hadn't really clued in to just how bad it had gotten.
Title: Re: Dainty to the DL
Post by: Noe on August 18, 2008, 12:57:18 pm
I hear you, I'm only assuming Coop would want House in the lineup against lefties, so moving Lance to left and returning Wiggy to third would only 'displace' one player defensively.

I'm well aware of Spaz's shortcomings, but I still don't see him being benched for House, against lefties.

ETA:

I took Cooper's remarks to mean if House is swinging a hot bat, he'll get an extended looksee (plus if you move Berkman, don't do it on an as needed basis, move him and leave him there until you're fully convinced how you want to go).  I guess I didn't understand this was about House hitting against lefties only.  Thanks.
Title: Re: Dainty to the DL
Post by: mihoba on August 18, 2008, 01:33:37 pm
I took Cooper's remarks to mean if House is swinging a hot bat, he'll get an extended looksee (plus if you move Berkman, don't do it on an as needed basis, move him and leave him there until you're fully convinced how you want to go).  I guess I didn't understand this was about House hitting against lefties only.  Thanks.

I don't know anything either, Noe. I'm guessing against lefties because Blum has been terrible righthanded. We may find out soon, as in two of the next three games facing Sabathia and Parra.
Title: Re: Dainty to the DL
Post by: VirtualBob on August 20, 2008, 10:36:37 am
Nothing about Coop's use of Bourn anyone has made any sense at any point in the season.

FIFY