Clemens to decide THIS MONTH!!!

[Bench]

Yawn.

[Jacksonian]

Yawn.

http://houston.astros.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070501&content_id=1940091&vkey=news_hou&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou

Can he play 3rd and hit 5th?

[Alkie]

Can he play 3rd and hit 5th?

I think I can honestly say, for the first season, I don't give a fuck what that jerkoff does.  Let him go back "home" with Alice.  We're getting Backe back and our starters have been great.

If he comes back, fine.  But I'm not about to cry a fucking river for that clown again.

[Limey]

Can he play 3rd and hit 5th?

Bingo!  Starting pitching isn't the problem.  And, seriously, better to keep that 20-odd million in the coffers to rent a stick later in the year.

[Alkie]

Bingo!  Starting pitching isn't the problem.  And, seriously, better to keep that 20-odd million in the coffers to rent a stick later in the year.

...or 3.

[matadorph]

Starting pitching is not fungible. I won't lie--I really want him back. This team could be very good with him in the rotation.

[MusicMan]

Bingo!  Starting pitching isn't the problem.  And, seriously, better to keep that 20-odd million in the coffers to rent a stick later in the year.

Oh, this is inevitably going to lead to the "separate budget for Rajah", which will digress to "Drayton is cheap", and then someone will be accussed of gorvelling, and our trip in the wayback machine will be complete.

[MusicMan]

Starting pitching is not fungible. I won't lie--I really want him back. This team could be very good with him in the rotation.

This team could also continue to suck donkey balls with him in the rotation.

[rgs]

This team could also continue to suck donkey balls with him in the rotation.

This has got to be the worst case scenario........

[matadorph]

This team could also continue to suck donkey balls with him in the rotation.

Of course, but this team would be mediocre with five Johan Santanas if the middle of the lineup can't hit. The lineup will improve, but there are way too many unanswered questions in the starting rotation for us to not welcome Clemens.

[MusicMan]

The lineup will improve, but there are way too many unanswered questions in the starting rotation for us to not welcome Clemens.

Welcome?  Yes.
Annoint as savior?  Oh hell no.

[S.P. Rodriguez]

...or 3.

Sadly, we all know McLane is going to make an offer.  I think he fears the negative press should he not make some notable, public effort.  I'm no 3% but even I see pitching is not the problem, and no Clemens will not consider closing! 

[matadorph]

I hear ya. I'm not gonna openly grovel, but I'll keep my "Fuck yous" to myself until the the DQ signs with the Yankees.

[Noe]

What a Clemens decision to return to the Astros does is help them focus on getting something else at the trading deadline.   A starter is premium, so if you can get one as a free agent, then you can focus on perhaps a different position that can help you.  See: Huff, Aubrey last year.  MoBerg was in a swoon and the fact that Clemens came back helped the team go get Huff.  Much as some will say that AH didn't produce, it was better than going with MoBerg the way he was swinging it.

[matadorph]

  I'm no 3% but even I see pitching is not the problem

Not yet, but it very well could be. Jennings' arm is an unknown at this point and Woody has been unreliable. Wandy's been great so far, but he needs quite a few more quality starts before I'll feel absolutely comfortable with his spot in the rotation.

[Astroholic]

What a Clemens decision to return to the Astros does is help them focus on getting something else at the trading deadline.   A starter is premium, so if you can get one as a free agent, then you can focus on perhaps a different position that can help you.  See: Huff, Aubrey last year.  MoBerg was in a swoon and the fact that Clemens came back helped the team go get Huff.  Much as some will say that AH didn't produce, it was better than going with MoBerg the way he was swinging it.

Speaking of Huff, he is hitting .235.  Not exactly tearing it up.

[Bench]

and no Clemens will not consider closing! 

Why not? He had Lidge in the starting rotation. I think it makes a lot of sense for them to just switch.

[WulawHorn]

Starting pitching isn't the problem right now, the lineup is. That said- it isn't written in stone that these two facts will stay the same throughout the year.

I really believe the lineup is going to hit and won't be a problem

I fear that the starting pitching will melt down eventually if Jennings doesn't come back and pitch like the #2 that Alkie  knows in his heart Jennings is.

[pravata]

Not yet, but it very well could be. Jennings' arm is an unknown at this point and Woody has been unreliable. Wandy's been great so far, but he needs quite a few more quality starts before I'll feel absolutely comfortable with his spot in the rotation.

Woody has been pretty reliable.  Consider, Woody Williams has 3 QS, 50% of his starts, including his last 2 starts.  This puts him even with Derek Lowe, Aaron Harang, and Dontrelle Willis.  The most quality starts in the NL is 5 and 100% (ESPN has these numbers).   Quibble about the usefulness of quality starts statistics, but bottom line is that he's had more than some. 

[Fredia]

Welcome?  Yes.
Annoint as savior?  Oh hell no.

how can he be the savior. i thought that was pence

[MusicMan]

"He's not the messiah!  He's a naughty, naughty boy!"

[Mr. Happy]

Woody has been pretty reliable.  Consider, Woody Williams has 3 QS, 50% of his starts, including his last 2 starts.  This puts him even with Derek Lowe, Aaron Harang, and Dontrelle Willis.  The most quality starts in the NL is 5 and 100% (ESPN has these numbers).   Quibble about the usefulness of quality starts statistics, but bottom line is that he's had more than some. 

Yep, that QS stat is impressive. But D-Train has 5 W's and Woody??? Welll, he's trying to break an egg. I've already predicted that he'll win exactly two games in May. Yawn.

[Zan]

Starting pitching isn't the problem.  And, seriously, better to keep that 20-odd million in the coffers to rent a stick later in the year.

Starting pitching isn't the problem, but the staff isn't so stellar that it can't stand to improve. 

I don't think it's an either/or between Clemens/rent-a-stick.

I'm not a fan of the guy, and (all else equal) I'd much rather the Astros win without him. I just don't think all else is equal.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Speaking of Huff, he is hitting .235.  Not exactly tearing it up.

And only playing 1st base and DH'ing. Nothing against Aubrey but I was never that impressed with him. Never saw him as a difference maker... more like a puzzle piece but not the missing piece. He's not a leading actor or star. Just a supporting player, a role player.

As far as Drama Queen's future with the Astros goes, I hope he gets to make a few cameos, but if he takes his act to Broadway, fuck him. Let him go. Unlike Alice, who doesn't live here anymore, at least DQ is honest in his disingeniousness.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Yep, that QS stat is impressive. But D-Train has 5 W's and Woody??? Welll, he's trying to break an egg. I've already predicted that he'll win exactly two games in May. Yawn.

So are you going to remind us June 1st? Or how will we know how accurate of a prognosticator you are, I'm pretty sure no one is charting your predictions or anything.

[Mr. Happy]

So are you going to remind us June 1st? Or how will we know how accurate of a prognosticator you are, I'm pretty sure no one is charting your predictions or anything.

I sincerely hope to post that I was as wrong as wrong could be and that Woody wins five in MAY. But I will report one way or the other.

[JimR]

fuck DQ. who cares?

[Mr. Happy]

fuck DQ. who cares?

Amen. How many years is he going to try to pull this BS off? Footer thinks that he has at least three years left in him.

[Phil_in_CS]

how can he be the savior. i thought that was pence

This team needs lots of saving...

[Bench]

fuck DQ. who cares?

Julian Tavarez shares that sentiment: http://redsox.bostonherald.com/redSox/view.bg?articleid=198028

[Fredia]

Amen. How many years is he going to try to pull this BS off? Footer thinks that he has at least three years left in him.

if he put as much time into the game now  as he does into running round making sure every team in mlb think they have a chance while making sure the rumor meal and staring roll as drama queen of mlb stayed in tact he migh have half a dozen years (before everyone goes off on me. .as usual.. i know he is a legend etc or he would not have this power.. )

[mihoba]

Julian Tavarez shares that sentiment: http://redsox.bostonherald.com/redSox/view.bg?articleid=198028

The phone killer would be out of a job if DQ goes to Boston. I still can't believe they are starting him, or that they would even want him on the team.

[Holly]

if he put as much time into the game now  as he does into running round making sure every team in mlb think they have a chance while making sure the rumor meal and staring roll as drama queen of mlb stayed in tact he migh have half a dozen years (before everyone goes off on me. .as usual.. i know he is a legend etc or he would not have this power.. )

This is my new favorite of yours, Fredia. The Clemens Buffet, featuring Rumor Meals and Staring Rolls. Somewhere, Berkman's ears just perked up.

[Mr. Happy]

fuck DQ. who cares?

Spot on as usual, Coach. This guy has so turned the story to himself that the baseball planets have changed direction. No one in my view should be able to do that. Its a real story on the sad shape of pitching that DQ can pull this shit off at 4(almost)5. Don't get me wrong. I'd love to have him. But I'm not going to get invested in the story like I did last year. Move along people.

[Fredia]

Spot on as usual, Coach. This guy has so turned the story to himself that the baseball planets have changed direction. No one in my view should be able to do that. Its a real story on the sad shape of pitching that DQ can pull this shit off at 4(almost)5. Don't get me wrong. I'd love to have him. But I'm not going to get invested in the story like I did last year. Move along people.

i think the dq is actually agonozing over his decision by plaing in the kinko classic in austin (think i got the name of the golf toureny right) i can just see the sound bites on the news now.. Yes i know all seek my devine intervention, but there can only be one chosen team..