Messages

1

Talk Zone / Re: Pretty darned cool!!!

« on: March 15, 2011, 11:55:45 am »

Good stuff, thanks for sharing.

My first stop was opening day 1994 against the Expos. 

My old man let me skip school for what ended up being a thrilling major league debut for James Mouton (and the creation of the 'MOOOOUUUU' chant) in a 6-5 win at the Dome.

Another interesting fact about that game is that Reynolds and Hampton both pitched in relief of Harnisch. 

2

Talk Zone / Re: Paulino to Rockies

« on: November 18, 2010, 02:34:39 pm »

MLBTR predicts $4MM.

Barmes was a non-tender candidate heading into his final season of arbitration eligibility. After hitting 23 homers in 2009, he hit just 8 homers this year and his batting line fell to .235/.305/.351. Barmes earned $3.33MM in 2010 and figures to pocket $4MM or so in 2011.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2010/11/astros-rockies-swap-paulino-barmes.html

3

Talk Zone / Re: Paulino to Rockies

« on: November 18, 2010, 01:09:00 pm »

I know very little about Barmes, but it would've been nice to see Paulino stick around for at least one more season.

His health has obviously been a huge problem (along with any game involving the SF Giants), but it seems a little premature to cut bait on a 27 year-old with that much potential just to get a mid-grade utility player who was probably gonna be non-tendered.

The move makes more sense if Wade intends to sign a reliable back-end starting pitcher, but Paulino still might've been a solid bullpen contributor even if that is the strategy.

4

Talk Zone / Re: Terry Collins

« on: November 15, 2010, 04:47:13 pm »

I remember him going apeshit in a brawl with the Expos in 1996.  He ended up with a busted lip, if I remember correctly.  

I was just gonna post the same thing, what a shitshow that was. I can still vividly remember Cangelosi's pummeling of Jeff Juden.

IIRC, Biggio was able to duck out of the way of Alou's helmet toss right before it nailed Collins.  Moises was lucky it was only the 'brim' of the helmet that made impact with TC's lip, a more direct hit to the eye, nose, or cheekbone could've made for a pretty nasty injury.

It would be great to get a look at that video clip sometime.

5

Talk Zone / Re: Astros 2011 schedule online

« on: September 15, 2010, 01:19:13 pm »

There appears to be some nice Summer travel opportunities with the Memorial Day visit to Wrigley along with a mid-June weekend series at Chavez Ravine.

6

Talk Zone / Re: Other trades

« on: July 29, 2010, 06:16:24 pm »

Nice addition for the Rangers.  Davis seems like a decent enough platoon player but has been pretty unimpressive since Smoak was traded.

Assuming Kinsler eventually returns to form, Rangers seem capable of beating anyone in a playoff series.

7

Talk Zone / Re: Roy O to Phillies

« on: July 29, 2010, 05:45:07 pm »

If I am Ed Wade, then this forum is most certainly Shawn Chacon.

8

Talk Zone / Re: Roy O to Phillies

« on: July 29, 2010, 05:38:56 pm »

I think getting Wallace for Gose makes this day's work pretty damn tough to bitch about. He's a closer-to-ready Singleton. Hard to top that.

Exactly.  

As a bonus, this deal also provides a nice infusion of talent at SS as well.  I'm have no problems with a combo of Hernandez/Sanchez/Manzella holding down the fort for a couple of years until one of Villar, Mier, Player X asserts themselves as a long-term solution.

I can't speak for others, but my goal for 2010 was to make a true commitment to rebuilding by the trade deadline.  Now that this deal is complete, the team has put themselves in position to lay a very firm foundation for what lies ahead.

Noe pointed this out above, but the effects of today's trade extend far beyond the specific players involved.  In agreeing to take a large financial hit to move a proven veteran player, the organization has signaled that a new era of Astros baseball has begun.  I'm very thankful for what Roy and Lance have done for this team, but I personally could not be more excited to finally have something to 'root' for other than hoping to tread water and avoid outright embarrassment.

 

9

Talk Zone / Re: Roy O to Phillies

« on: July 29, 2010, 03:51:08 pm »

Roy Oswalt hasn't made fewer than 30 starts in a season since 2003.   Also, while he may not be an ace, he's definitely a solid number 2 starter on almost every MLB club.

So again, the Astros had plenty of leverage in this situation.    He was under contract for next season, and he was considered the best pitcher available via trade.     That wasn't likely to change in the offseason and teams wouldn't have to take as big of a financial hit.    The bottom line is the team could have waited if they didn't receive a good enough offer.

So 33 year old fringe #2 starters are now worth $16MM per year?  Were you also the mastermind behind the Carlos Lee contract?

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Talk Zone / Re: Roy O to Phillies

« on: July 29, 2010, 03:17:06 pm »

Please explain how the Astros had no leverage?   The Phillies may have been the only interested team now, but Oswalt isn't a free agent after this season.    He is under contract through 2011 with an option for 2012.    If you wanted a certain player and the Phillies balked, you hang up the phone and revisit the discussions in the offseason.

And I'm sure you'd be just thrilled with the outcome of those 'offseason discussions' if Roy finishes another season on the DL after continuing to run his mouth about the organization.  

I realize that your perception of Roy O. is likely biased, but you need to take a look at how his abilities are perceived outside of the Astros fan community.  When you look at Roy, you probably see a franchise player who once stared crippling pressure in the face and made franchise history with an NLCS masterpiece, most other people see a 33 year old with dwindling ability and a bad attitude, who also hasn't been a true marquee pitcher in over 2 years.

11

Talk Zone / Re: Roy O to Phillies

« on: July 29, 2010, 02:49:35 pm »

If the Astros just swapped Oswalt and $11MM for Happ, Gose and Villar, they have been officially anally raped without lube.  

It's certainly a disappointing outcome, but that's the breaks of having no trade leverage and a lose-lose contract situation.

By all accounts, the Phillies were the only team that remained even moderately interested in Roy O. based on the salary implications, and it made no sense to keep him on the roster and dump another ~$20MM+ into a single player when the team is fundamentally incapable of playing competitive baseball for the foreseeable future.

The organization is a no-win situation right now, and the smart (albeit painful) decision was to take the financial hit on Oswalt and try and get back whatever else was available in the way of prospects.  Unfortunately, there was only one team who was willing truly willing to play ball here, so no one should be surprised with what the team ultimately received in return, including the money that had to be eaten...there was no other realistic option.

If Roy O. was an impending FA the situation would have been different, but that $16MM + buyout aren't going anywhere, and there's no legitimate reason to believe that the trade options would've been any more desirable if the team waited until this Winter to dump him...especially given the risk of injury and/or late-season struggles.  The notion of getting anything better than .40 on the dollar was just not realistic under the current circumstances.  

I personally am relieved that this chapter is finally done and an actual rebuilding initiative appears to be in progress.    

12

Game Zone 2010 Archive / Re: Nats @ Astros, Memorial Day 2010

« on: May 31, 2010, 01:59:52 pm »

3-run double by Dunn bring the Nats lead to 4-1.

Roy then misses on an outside heater during the following AB...yells out in frustration...the umpire steps forward and says something to the effect of "excuse me?".....Roy responds with "that's on you! that's on you!", seemingly referring to the tight zone affecting his ability to pitch....umpire throws him out...Mills comes out to argue but it doesn't really escalate...fuck knows who's supposed to pitch now.

What a great way to celebrate Memorial Day at the ballpark.  

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Game Zone 2010 Archive / Re: Astros at Reds, 5/30/10

« on: May 30, 2010, 02:43:25 pm »

What a fucking bummer.

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Game Zone 2010 Archive / Re: Astros at Reds, 5/30/10

« on: May 30, 2010, 02:39:08 pm »

Way to battle, Felipe !!

What an effort today, time to get some runs and give him the W he deserves.

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Game Zone 2010 Archive / Re: Astros vs. Pirates: 4/23

« on: April 23, 2010, 10:07:22 pm »

Thanks to everyone for the p-b-p.  I had to work late the past two nights so I haven't been able to catch anything live.

Looks like I'll be spending my next few minutes scouring MLB.com to get a look at some of those gems from Bourn.

Way to go 'Stros.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJ8O28oLSK8

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Game Zone 2010 Archive / Re: Astros vs Marlins - 4/21

« on: April 21, 2010, 09:47:40 pm »

WORST TEAM IN BASEBALL. THEY ARE SIMPLY A DISASTER.

Go fuck yourself Will Carroll, Keith Law, Lisa Gray, Fangraph statcockbags!

Absolutely this.  I got home just in time to catch Blum's cold-blooded triple on the radio feed, what an awesome ending.

Startin' to come together, Pepper.  Startin' to come together!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJ8O28oLSK8

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Game Zone 2010 Archive / Re: Astros vs. Marlins: 4/20 - Smoke If You Got 'Em

« on: April 20, 2010, 09:52:19 pm »

That's as good of a 'team' win as this squad has had in a very, very long time.

In addition to the gritty performance by Myers, I loved what we saw from Towles (minus his last AB) along with the renewed signs of life from Pence and Lee.

Can't expect much going up against Johnson tomorrow night but this clutch win puts the team in great position to win another series.

Let's go 'Stros.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJ8O28oLSK8

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Game Zone 2010 Archive / Re: Astros vs. Marlins: 4/20 - Smoke If You Got 'Em

« on: April 20, 2010, 09:30:34 pm »

ATTA BOY, J-MIKE !!!

GREAT BATTLE TONIGHT, TIME TO FINISH THIS GAME OFF!!

19

Talk Zone / Re: Mills talking lineup?

« on: March 09, 2010, 09:01:59 am »

This is all well and good, if you goal is to showcase Hunter Pence.  But it's not, it's to maximize run production.  To that end, Pence needs to be hitting 5th, behind Berkmand and Lee.

True, but I also think some of that theory depends on how you rate the overall potential of this ballclub.  

Your statement makes perfect sense if we're in the thick of a divisional race, but I expect this to be a transitional season where we will see plenty of general improvement but the question marks behind the plate, up the middle, and at the back of the bullpen will ultimately keep the team hovering around 80 wins.

That said, I think the continued development of Pence is a vital part of ensuring this season is a 'success' regardless of how the standing eventually shake out.  In addition to Berkman's age and very disappointing performance last season, there also appears to at least be an outside chance that his tenure with the Astros will conclude at the end of this season.  

With that in mind, I'm not sure that taking proactive measures to build up the guy like Pence who may very soon be the primary franchise player is necessarily a bad thing.  Especially since I'm of the opinion that if Lance is on his game, he can pretty much hit anywhere in the lineup and consistently produce.

20

Talk Zone / Re: Mills talking lineup?

« on: March 09, 2010, 12:51:54 am »

Plenty of valid points made on this thread, but I can't help but agree that Hunter would benefit (at least initially) from better pitch selection hitting in the #3 hole.  Considering his inability to consistently work the count, I'm all for any situation that can help maximize fastball exposure.

Besides, when you consider all of the success that Berkman had hitting between Baggy and Kent this strategy is not exactly uncharted territory.  

I know it's easy to be weary of cheap strikeouts killing potential rallies, but Hunter's K numbers really aren't all that much worse than Lance's.  On the other hand, Pence is a much more notorious GIDP candidate which could certainly be a recipe for disaster in the #3 hole.

Whatever transpires, it's at least refreshing to see Mills working to defining specific player roles this early in the process.  Out of all his repeated failures, Coopers musical chairs lineups and bullpen allocations were among his absolute worst offenses.

21

Talk Zone / Re: Nieve getting clock cleaned

« on: June 30, 2009, 11:40:36 am »

^^^ Good call, Bob.  I had forgotten that he was out of options.

22

Talk Zone / Re: backe DFA

« on: June 30, 2009, 11:15:54 am »

I guess I'm a little disappointed to hear Brandon speak so negatively about "the way he was treated" and "not being given a chance" by Wade & Co.

Given his recurrent inability to generate outs and highly questionable off-season episode in Galveston this past Winter, he was very fortunate to even be tendered a contract this Spring. 

The bottom line is the guy hasn't even been a marginally effective pitcher since his original surgical procedure.  At some point he's gonna have to look in the mirror and stop blaming the organization for his plight. 

23

Talk Zone / Re: Nieve getting clock cleaned

« on: June 30, 2009, 11:09:57 am »

Given Nieve's relative youth (~27), I was in no way supportive of the decision to cut him loose...especially with dead weight like Capellan collecting regular appearances down in Round Rock.

However, I don't lose any sleep over him pitching in NYC because the guy simply does not project any higher than a #4 starter from a long-term perspective.  If it was a matter of him having electric stuff, but us giving up on him because of command issues..that would be one thing.  However, the fact that the guy tops out around 91 and relies almost exclusively on a limited repertoire of off-speed pitches is something I can live without.

I think the situation is analogous to what we're seeing with a player like Matt Albers out in Baltimore.  Sure, it's a little disconcerting to see the guy blossom into a certifiable big-leaguer...but until he's promoted from middle-relief and starts winning 15+ games I'm not gonna be too frustrated.

24

Talk Zone / Re: backe DFA

« on: June 27, 2009, 01:13:14 am »

Wow, what a difference 4 years makes.

Back in October of '05, we witnessed two of the guttiest starting pitching performances this franchise has ever seen.  And yet here we are this evening wondering if another club will even take a flier on him to provide another shot at cracking a rotation.

It's always tough to see a once promising career fizzle, but it was plain as day when Brandon first took the hill this season that the surgeries and setbacks have just taken too much away from his overall ability.  For a guy who never had a very deep repertoire, a heater than barely cracks 88 and often finds it's way up in the zone is unfortunately a recipe for disaster.  

I had some hope initially that he could model himself after a pitcher like Sampson and develop a sinker to help him compensate for the lost velocity, but Backe's football-driven approach to always 'challenging' opposing hitters might be too much for him to overcome...at least in the short term.

If I were his agent, I would honestly encourage him to accept the assignment and literally go back to square one while trying to re-invent himself as a long-reliever down in Round Rock.  When you look at all the variables that have hindered his success in recent seasons, it's very clear that a simple 'change of big league scenery' is gonna suddenly right the ship for the pride of Ball High School.

Regardless of what transpires...best of wishes the rest of the way, Brandon.  We certainly won't forget all of the great, thrilling moments you provided the Astros community.