Is it too early to get excited about this team?

[Ron Brand]

It's really the first time I've been able to watch the good guys this season but I'm impressed so far.  Tejada is a real surprise and Bourn, Towles, Chacon and Wright look great, even if WW looks like he's 14.  Is it too early?  Can I get excited now?

[BudGirl]

I've been excited for over a week already.

[Ron Brand]

Just reading about it didn't get me there but this is fun.

[Fredia]

I've been excited for over a week already.

about the whole team or just ausmus?

[BudGirl]

about the whole team or just ausmus?

whe whole team. 

[geezerdonk]

I don't know about getting excited, but it is actually fun to watch the team again. Three-fourths of the futility quartet is gone and the remaining member will have sharply reduced playing time. Bourn alone is worth the price of a ticket.
There is some basis for optimism - Berkman's good start, Towles showing last year wasn't a fluke, Tejada taking charge - all offer hope for a succesful season.     

[BudGirl]

I don't know about getting excited, but it is actually fun to watch the team again. Three-fourths of the futility quartet is gone and the remaining member will have sharply reduced playing time. Bourn alone is worth the price of a ticket.
There is some basis for optimism - Berkman's good start, Towles showing last year wasn't a fluke, Tejada taking charge - all offer hope for a succesful season.    

Who is the fourth member of the quartet?

[Lefty]

Who is the fourth member of the quartet?

Lanesberg

[BudGirl]

he said three-fourths of the quartet was gone.  i assumed that meant Lane, Ensberg and Burke.  I was wondering who the fourth was.

[Mr. Happy]

I'm always excited about this ballclub.

p.s. BG Stay calm. You know what's coming.

[Ty in Tampa]

he said three-fourths of the quartet was gone.  i assumed that meant Lane, Ensberg and Burke.  I was wondering who the fourth was.

I sense the seething through the internets.

[mihoba]

Lanesberg

Lanensburke

[BudGirl]

I'm always excited about this ballclub.

p.s. BG Stay calm. You know what's coming.

I'm calm.  At least until I find out who the fourth member is.

[MusicMan]

I'm calm.  At least until I find out who the fourth member is.

It's like finding out the fifth Cylon.

[BudGirl]

It's like finding out the fifth Cylon.

I had to look that up.  I had no idea what the fifth Cylon is referencing.  I don't watch Battlestar Galactica and I don't plan on starting.

[MusicMan]

I had to look that up.  I had no idea what the fifth Cylon is referencing.  I don't watch Battlestar Galactica and I don't plan on starting.

Just started catching up - good show.

[geezerdonk]

Who is the fourth member of the quartet?

Ausmus.
Actually, it should have been quintet. I forgot about Burke. Things are even better that I thought.

[BudGirl]

Ausmus.
Actually, it should have been quintet. I forgot about Burke. Things are even better that I thought.

Who is the fifth then?

And seriously, you would be okay with the Astros cutting Ausmus and keeping Towles and Quintero?  You see no value in keeping Ausmus on the roster?

[Bench]

Who is the fifth then?

And seriously, you would be okay with the Astros cutting Ausmus and keeping Towles and Quintero?  You see no value in keeping Ausmus on the roster?

I'm sure AE is the fifth. (Burke, Lane, Ensberg, Ausmus and Everett).

Teasing it out of them is no less tired than them saying it in the first place.

[BudGirl]

I'm sure AE is the fifth. (Burke, Lane, Ensberg, Ausmus and Everett).

Teasing it out of them is no less tired than them saying it in the first place.

I wasn't sure if it was AE or Lidge.

[Bench]

I wasn't sure if it was AE or Lidge.

I assumed the futility in "futility quartet" referred to offensive prowess, but really, who the fuck cares.

[BudGirl]

I have just never understood people who rag on Ausmus, batting under .270 in the 8 hole.  Pisses me off.

[Bench]

I have just never understood people who rag on Ausmus, batting under .270 in the 8 hole.  Pisses me off.

Likewise.

[JaneDoe]

I have just never understood people who rag on Ausmus, batting under .270 in the 8 hole.  Pisses me off.

Some people just have to find something to gripe about. 

[pravata]

Some people just have to find something to gripe about. 

And by "some people" we mean people who don't understand how baseball is played nor how teams are put together.

[JaneDoe]

And by "some people" we mean people who don't understand how baseball is played nor how teams are put together.

Or the idiot guy by me who kept trying to start the wave on Opening Night. 

[BudGirl]

Or the idiot guy by me who kept trying to start the wave on Opening Night. 

One of the best opening day moments ever.

Jim R. telling some kid, "We don't do that son."

[Andyzipp]

Or the idiot guy by me who kept trying to start the wave on Opening Night. 

Again, sorry about that.

[JaneDoe]

Again, sorry about that.

If it had been you, I woulda walked up and slapped you.  You know better.

[hostros7]

Apropos of retards, the guy opposite of Craig Roberts on 790 this morning as I was flipping through, Brad Davies I believe, was arguing that the NL and the AL should both either use the DH or not use the DH.  Fine, argue that.  But, then he said the NL should get the DH and that there was no reason not to do so.  He quoted Ed Wade as saying that the lack of a DH increases the strategery in the NL game.  He spent the next 10 minutes arguing how that was, essentially, BS and that having the pitcher bat adds no complexity to managerial strategy whatsoever.  I would rehash his arguments, but I blacked out and woke up with my car wrapped around a pole and blood pouring out of my ears.

[Andyzipp]

Apropos of retards, the guy opposite of Craig Roberts on 790 this morning as I was flipping through, Brad Davies I believe, was arguing that the NL and the AL should both either use the DH or not use the DH.  Fine, argue that.  But, then he said the NL should get the DH and that there was no reason not to do so.  He quoted Ed Wade as saying that the lack of a DH increases the strategery in the NL game.  He spent the next 10 minutes arguing how that was, essentially, BS and that having the pitcher bat adds no complexity to managerial strategy whatsoever.  I would rehash his arguments, but I blacked out and woke up with my car wrapped around a pole and blood pouring out of my ears.

At least that stopped your ears from bleeding.

[pravata]

Or the idiot guy by me who kept trying to start the wave on Opening Night. 

That's the only good use for a Thunder Stick, bop those clowns on the head.

[BudGirl]

That's the only good use for a Thunder Stick, bop those clowns on the head.

Were you trying to start the wave the time Mrs. Limey had those sticks?  For some reason I remember her hitting you with them.

[JaneDoe]

Apropos of retards, the guy opposite of Craig Roberts on 790 this morning as I was flipping through, Brad Davies I believe, was arguing that the NL and the AL should both either use the DH or not use the DH.  Fine, argue that.  But, then he said the NL should get the DH and that there was no reason not to do so.  He quoted Ed Wade as saying that the lack of a DH increases the strategery in the NL game.  He spent the next 10 minutes arguing how that was, essentially, BS and that having the pitcher bat adds no complexity to managerial strategy whatsoever.  I would rehash his arguments, but I blacked out and woke up with my car wrapped around a pole and blood pouring out of my ears.

Yeah, it was painful.  I listened to about 15 seconds and then turned up Def Leppard REALLY LOUD.  Still heard his stupid voice in my head.

[JaneDoe]

That's the only good use for a Thunder Stick, bop those clowns on the head.

If I had had one, I definitely would have used it. 

[pravata]

Were you trying to start the wave the time Mrs. Limey had those sticks?  For some reason I remember her hitting you with them.

Well deserved too.

[MusicMan]

Apropos of retards, the guy opposite of Craig Roberts on 790 this morning as I was flipping through, Brad Davies I believe, was arguing that the NL and the AL should both either use the DH or not use the DH.  Fine, argue that.  But, then he said the NL should get the DH and that there was no reason not to do so.  He quoted Ed Wade as saying that the lack of a DH increases the strategery in the NL game.  He spent the next 10 minutes arguing how that was, essentially, BS and that having the pitcher bat adds no complexity to managerial strategy whatsoever.  I would rehash his arguments, but I blacked out and woke up with my car wrapped around a pole and blood pouring out of my ears.

Brad Davies knows less about baseball than anyone in Houston radio.  And that considers that Andre Ware, Calvin Murphy, and John Lopez have shows.

[TheWizard]

The wave has got to be one of the most vile "traditions" of all-time.  And if you ever try to stop a wave from happening, people around you look at you like you are some sort of evil scumbag.

[JaneDoe]

Brad Davies knows less about baseball than anyone in Houston radio. 

Paris, Britney, and Julia Childs included.

[BudGirl]

The wave has got to be one of the most vile "traditions" of all-time.  And if you ever try to stop a wave from happening, people around you look at you like you are some sort of evil scumbag.

Their looks have never bothered me.

[pravata]

The wave has got to be one of the most vile "traditions" of all-time.  And if you ever try to stop a wave from happening, people around you look at you like you are some sort of evil scumbag.

oohhh, idiots don't like me... It's what I strive for.

[austro]

Paris, Britney, and Julia Childs included.

And considering that Julia Childs' brain has long since decomposed, that's really saying something.

[MusicMan]

Their looks have never bothered me.

Indeed, many idiots are quite good-looking.

[pravata]

Indeed, many idiots are quite good-looking.

Which explains the steadily increasing population.

[JimR]

Indeed, many idiots are quite good-looking.

oh, man. what a straight line.

[MusicMan]

oh, man. what a straight line.

I like to think of myself as the traditional bad-ball hitter.

[JaneDoe]

And considering that Julia Childs' brain has long since decomposed, that's really saying something.

Exactly

[Noe]

It's really the first time I've been able to watch the good guys this season but I'm impressed so far.  Tejada is a real surprise and Bourn, Towles, Chacon and Wright look great, even if WW looks like he's 14.  Is it too early?  Can I get excited now?

What is exciting to me is that this team looks to be a team that will be in every game.  Not that they will win every game, but at the very least, don't turn off the game or walk out of the stadium if this team is three runs or less down in the score in the 8th or even 9th inning.  Game is not over until it's over with these guys.  Oh, and by the looks of things, this is not a team that will beat up on also-ran teams in the NL.  Every game will seem like an adventure until this team settles into an identity.  Usually by Memorial Day they will establish themselves as a type of team that they will be.

Right now, it's exciting to see them battle their way through a game with pitching, defense and hitting approaches that are pretty sound.  Does that translate to wins?  No, but a chance to win is all you can ask of the team right now until they establish how to win games in their own minds.

[JimR]

What is exciting to me is that this team looks to be a team that will be in every game.  Not that they will win every game, but at the very least, don't turn off the game or walk out of the stadium if this team is three runs or less down in the score in the 8th or even 9th inning.  Game is not over until it's over with these guys.  Oh, and by the looks of things, this is not a team that will beat up on also-ran teams in the NL.  Every game will seem like an adventure until this team settles into an identity.  Usually by Memorial Day they will establish themselves as a type of team that they will be.

Right now, it's exciting to see them battle their way through a game with pitching, defense and hitting approaches that are pretty sound.  Does that translate to wins?  No, but a chance to win is all you can ask of the team right now until they establish how to win games in their own minds.

agree 1000%

[Ron Brand]

What is exciting to me is that this team looks to be a team that will be in every game.  Not that they will win every game, but at the very least, don't turn off the game or walk out of the stadium if this team is three runs or less down in the score in the 8th or even 9th inning.  Game is not over until it's over with these guys.  Oh, and by the looks of things, this is not a team that will beat up on also-ran teams in the NL.  Every game will seem like an adventure until this team settles into an identity.  Usually by Memorial Day they will establish themselves as a type of team that they will be.

Right now, it's exciting to see them battle their way through a game with pitching, defense and hitting approaches that are pretty sound.  Does that translate to wins?  No, but a chance to win is all you can ask of the team right now until they establish how to win games in their own minds.

Nailed it, Noe.  They may not win enough but it's going to be entertaining watching this team come together and build for the future. 

[pravata]

Nailed it, Noe.  They may not win enough but it's going to be entertaining watching this team come together and build for the future. 

Am I right that the most exciting player on this team right now, Miguel Tejada, can request a trade at the end of the season?

[Ron Brand]

I believe that is true, yes.

[juliogotay]

Nailed it, Noe.  They may not win enough but it's going to be entertaining watching this team come together and build for the future. 

Help me understand this build for the future thing. Moves were made this off-season that we clearly about winning now, the future be damned. This isn't the '91 model at all. Entertaining, yes but the future is tomorrow's game.

[Towlie]

looking at the future we gave up, it really doesn't seem like we had much of a future.

[MusicMan]

Am I right that the most exciting player on this team right now, Miguel Tejada, can request a trade at the end of the season?

I believe that provision was eliminated from the most recent CBA.

[Ron Brand]

Help me understand this build for the future thing. Moves were made this off-season that we clearly about winning now, the future be damned. This isn't the '91 model at all. Entertaining, yes but the future is tomorrow's game.

Most if not all of the moves were made, certainly, in a 'win now' mode.  How that works out will be revealed soon enough, but I would respectfully submit that there was a fair amount of ground laid for the future as well.  It's going to be fun watching the younger players that were brought in, three everyday starters - Bourn, Towles, WW and Pence as they pull together with the newer but older players and perhaps create a new team identity. 

No, it isn't the '91 model at all but I am pleased so far with what they have on the field and I'm looking forward to better days to come.

[Lefty]

I believe that provision was eliminated from the most recent CBA.

Did they grandfather the contracts signed under the old rules?

[pravata]

Did they grandfather the contracts signed under the old rules?

Contracts a contract. New rules can't affect that.

[homer]

Contracts a contract. New rules can't affect that.

Cot's agrees with you.

March 15, 2008
Last day to trade a player who has exercised his right to demand a trade before he is declared an unrestricted free agent. (A player has the right to demand a trade if he signed a multi-year contract before October 23, 2006, then was subsequently traded.)

http://mlbcontracts.blogspot.com/2003/01/important-transaction-dates_03.html