Author Topic: Albers up, Wandy down... (Read 6350 times)

Greg D · « **on:** July 20, 2006, 10:27:47 pm »

Quote:

The Astros will have to make another roster move on Saturday, when Backe is officially activated from the DL. That move will not involve Albers, who will be given a fair chance to display his talents on the Major League level. That leaves either Fernando Nieve or Taylor Buchholz as the likely candidates to be sent down.

Somebody's gonna have to explain this to me.

Golden Sombrero · « **Reply #1 on:** July 20, 2006, 10:30:37 pm »

Hopefully there won't be a herpes outbreak in Round Rock.

juliogotay · « **Reply #2 on:** July 20, 2006, 10:43:46 pm »

I'm surprised to see Albers oome up now and don't understand why Nieve or Bucholtz may go down. If it's Buckholtz who is the fifth starter? Nieve? We've been told Albers is working out of the pen.

I won't miss Wandy Robertson.

the KEG · « **Reply #3 on:** July 20, 2006, 11:23:35 pm »

The move still doesn't make sense to me in that, if Albers replaces Rodriguez, then who is going down when Backe is activated?

BizidyDizidy · « **Reply #6 on:** July 21, 2006, 02:26:23 am »

At this point might as well wait and see if we are buyers or sellers...

JimR · « **Reply #8 on:** July 21, 2006, 10:21:20 am »

never heard of Albers b/c i do not follow the minors except for RR. i wonder why him instead of Sampson?

jbm · « **Reply #10 on:** July 21, 2006, 10:24:06 am »

I'm don't know where one gets stats for ERA for starter vs. reliever, but for Nieve's last seven appearances, his ERA is 2.70. Given our bullpen's performance, I bet this is above avearge for the period.

So, why would the Astros move down a performer whose ability is somewhat known and has performed well lately, just to replace him with someone whose performance they will be unsure about?

jbm · « **Reply #12 on:** July 21, 2006, 10:26:40 am »

I thought the same thing. If you must replace Nieve or Buchholz, why not Sampson? I concluded thay must view Sampson solely as a starter. That's all I could surmise.

JimR · « **Reply #13 on:** July 21, 2006, 10:30:14 am »

man, i hope not. i think Nieve and Buchholz are keepers. if the Astros trade them, it needs to be for someone reeeaaaal good, imo.

JimR · « **Reply #16 on:** July 21, 2006, 11:01:22 am »

right. Astros management is well known for its desperation moves.

Limey · « **Reply #17 on:** July 21, 2006, 11:12:05 am »

Tejada's due to make $12mm in '07 and $13mm each for '08 and '09. Of course, he can demand a trade so, if the Astros could keep him beyond the end of this year, he'd become more expensive. At the same time, though, Bagwell, Rajah and Andy's big contracts all run out so there will be wiggle room.

EasTexAstro · « **Reply #19 on:** July 21, 2006, 11:22:26 am »

Any chance they just want to get Nieve more innings? Is he getting enough work?

If there are trades in the backgraound, would the Astros want to bring up Albers, see how he handles the majors, and just see what they've got before trading any of their pitchers away?

JimR · « **Reply #21 on:** July 21, 2006, 11:36:20 am »

uh, no. i'd like a guy who keeps the ball down, throws a lot of ground balls and gets guys out. i do not care about Ks. they are gravy.

JimR · « **Reply #24 on:** July 21, 2006, 11:49:05 am »

no right or wrong, just preferences. if your setup guy strikes everyone out, that's good too. how many of them are they?

we did not know at the time how amazing Lidge to Dotel to Wagner was.

tbone421998 · « **Reply #25 on:** July 21, 2006, 11:51:46 am »

I did see on the Hooks website link he has only given up 4 homers and 2 sac flys in 116 innings and 19 starts. Reads like he can keep the ball down or at least in the park.

jaklewein · « **Reply #26 on:** July 21, 2006, 11:53:40 am »

we did not know at the time how amazing Lidge to Dotel to Wagner was.

That was ridiculous. I remember Whitey or someone else commenting that we would be tough down the stretch and in the playoffs with that triple threat in the bullpen. He commented how hard it was to get anything going when batters could put the ball in play.

On a side note...I read that Dotel experienced arm soreness. I was rooting for him notwithstanding the fact that he wears Yankee pinstripes. Hopefully it's just scar tissue breaking up.

StargateSG1 · « **Reply #37 on:** July 23, 2006, 01:16:17 pm »

I think Tim's looking at the risk vs. reward factor along with the financial implications of acquiring outside help. I don't think the guys that are rumored to be available are that much of an upgrade over what the Astros have on the team or in the system.

Overwhelmed seems to be the prevalent word used to described what it would take to acquire someone along the likes of LHP Mike Gonzales of the Pirates.

If the Astros make a trade then the Astros need to acquire someone really good to make an immediate impact. But the cost may be greater than the Astros can really afford.

JimR · « **Reply #38 on:** July 23, 2006, 01:44:31 pm »

first, i pay zero attention to those published Top 10 lists. i learned beyond a doubt in the Express' first year, that the authors of those lists seldom if ever see the players actually play. Chen-Feng Chin, or whatever his name was, showed me that. he was BA's number one prospect for LA, and the guy could not play even a little. he had no chance against a AA fastball.

more important, i just do not pay attention to who is in the system until they get to RR. i'm glad some folks do, but i am not one of them. i am not surprised to learn that Albers is good and that i never heard of him.

jaklewein · « **Reply #39 on:** July 23, 2006, 02:20:32 pm »

first, i pay zero attention to those published Top 10 lists. i learned beyond a doubt in the Express' first year, that the authors of those lists seldom if ever see the players actually play.

I think the key point of interest from Astro Pete's post was the following: "Check him out in the Minor Opinions forum."

He wasn't talking about BBA and/or that John Sickels character. The Minor Opinions section has a Top-10 list too. Jacksonian and GregD may not see all the minor leaguers play, but they get their information from people who do. Those that have followed the minor leaguers from the Rookie Leagues on, for the last 5-6 years like I have, value thier opinion

StargateSG1 · « **Reply #40 on:** July 23, 2006, 02:41:49 pm »

Good point. There's much more fizzle than sizzle when it comes to the development of prospects. But I like the fact that the Astros have a good player development system. Good coaches throughout the system.

"Dyslexics of the world, untie!"

JimR · « **Reply #43 on:** July 23, 2006, 04:22:06 pm »

sounds very good.