Burke to Minors

[JaneDoe]

As reported by Charlie Pallillo on 790 am

[matadorph]

Is this speculation or news?

[Phil_in_CS]

I've been scanning everywhere I can think of for news, and nada yet.

She quoted Charlie, but who knows...

[Bench]

I've heard that earlier this afternoon, too, but at that point it was speculation. It certainly makes the most sense.

[matadorph]

It's official.

Garner just said it on 790.

[JaneDoe]

Burke to RR to get everyday playing time.  Played clip of Garner on the little sports update just now.

[matadorph]

Garner: "His future is playing, not sitting."

[MusicMan]

Logical move.

[Phil_in_CS]

Did Gar say what position he'd be playing every day?

[Noe]

When Footer said Burke still had options, that pretty much was a tell from the organization on what they were going to do.  That pretty much seals it though, Mark Loretta is the defensive replacement late for Biggio.  And Everett.

And Palmeiro is the only speed off the bench they have right now.

[Bench]

Did Gar say what position he'd be playing every day?

Good question. I am interested to hear the answer as well.

[matadorph]

Not sure, I didn't catch it if he did.

[Jacksonian]

Did Gar say what position he'd be playing every day?

If his future is playing and second base is his future position then he'd have to be playing second.  They can't put him in center after essentially saying he can't cut it there.

[JaneDoe]

I've often wondered---does the salary of a major leaguer change if he is sent to the minors?

[Phil_in_CS]

If his future is playing and second base is his future position then he'd have to be playing second.  They can't put him in center after essentially saying he can't cut it there.

That's what I've thought; the CF experiment was an attempt to get him to big league team early, and fill a hole in the line up. It didn't work out.

[dirty steve]

Burke on 790 imminently per pallillo.

[ybbodeus]

When I initially heard the "Pence up" announcement after the troublesome Brewers loss*, I misinterpreted/misheard the call-up as meaning immediate RR duty for Burke...obviously, hearing something that wasn't there.  I was politely corrected on those details when I made the, "Is this a good move right now?" phone call to one of my buds here at OWA.  "Fat, drunk and uninformed is no way to go through life, son."   

I'm merely trying to ascertain the decision THEN more so than now, but was keeping Burke up here at the time in line with a "wait and see" on Pence's response and performance, or was it more in line with the idea that the organization was comfortable at the time going with 11 pitchers?  Little of both, maybe? 


*maybe I should learn to find ALL losses troublesome, huh?

[Bench]

Burke says he'll be playing second base.

"There's only one way to play the game and that's the right way," he says. Though he is frustrated and upset for this to happen at this time in his career. Understandable and accountable, for the most part.

[matadorph]

Burke is clearly not happy. He probably shouldn't have done this interview right now.

[Noe]

I've often wondered---does the salary of a major leaguer change if he is sent to the minors?

No.  Burke signed a one year contract and it is valid no matter where he goes.   The major league club pays it's players.  The minor league club itself can sign some players for fodder sake, but by and large just about all the players are paid by the parent club. 

[matadorph]

Burke says he's been mistreated. From the tone of this inteview, his Astro days are numbered.

[Limey]

Burke is clearly not happy. He probably shouldn't have done this interview right now.

If he skipped it, he'd probably be accused of sulking.  Props to Burke for sacking up and fulfilling the commitment.  At least he'll get to hit and play 2B every day, which is where he'll be for the Astros for the foreseeable future after Bidge gets #3,000.

[Bench]

Burke says he's been mistreated. From the tone of this inteview, his Astro days are numbered.

I disagree. He pretty much said he didn't get the best opportunity to succeed, and then drifted over into a Curt Flood inspired rant, but I don't think he was unduly bitter or calling out the organization.

He probably shouldn't have done the interview, but he was a lot more reasonable than a lot of guys would be.

[Jacksonian]

Burke says he's been mistreated.

Did he actually use those words?

[matadorph]

yes

[dirty steve]

Did he actually use those words?

basically said that the position that he was drafted and groomed to play, middle infield "never became available."  it's not his fault biggio is close to 3000, but he sounds as if he feels that he has wasted away his mid-20's waiting on bidge to ride off.

[Limey]

basically said that the position that he was drafted and groomed to play, middle infield "never became available."  it's not his fault biggio is close to 3000, but he sounds as if he feels that he has wasted away his mid-20's waiting on bidge to ride off.

WFW.  He can count his million-plus earnings while waiting for Biggio to move over.

[Jacksonian]

WFW.  He can count his million-plus earnings while waiting for Biggio to move over.

He earned more than a million before even one inning of professional baseball.

[pravata]

WFW.  He can count his million-plus earnings while waiting for Biggio to move over.

Mistreated? His employer is telling him one thing and doing another.  To me that is an new development with the Astros. Yeah, possibly mistreated.   But that would be only in the context of playing a children's game and being paid millions for it.  In terms of the real world?  Oh honey, please.

[Mr. Happy]

Mistreated? His employer is telling him one thing and doing another.  To me that is an new development with the Astros. Yeah, possibly mistreated.   But that would be only in the context of playing a children's game and being paid millions for it.  In terms of the real world?  Oh honey, please.

He blew up. But he'll report to RR, especially when someone reminds him that he's in the hunt for the 2B job in the spring. That beats the heck out of beating the bushes for a job by not reporting, being a big baby, etc.

[Outlawscotty]

which is where he'll be for the Astros for the foreseeable future after Bidge gets #3,000.

I am not sold on this.  I'm thinking that something else may come along that will suit all involved.  I just couldn't see penciling him in at 2B, him performing like he has this year, and now this.  Then again, I work not for the Astros.

[Amy]

I am not sold on this.  I'm thinking that something else may come along that will suit all involved.  I just couldn't see penciling him in at 2B, him performing like he has this year, and now this.  Then again, I work not for the Astros.

But doesn't Purpura have a big ol' mancrush on Burke (and Lane)?

[HudsonHawk]

No.  Burke signed a one year contract and it is valid no matter where he goes.   The major league club pays it's players.  The minor league club itself can sign some players for fodder sake, but by and large just about all the players are paid by the parent club. 

Well, players can sign a "split contract", which calls for two different rates of pay, one for major league roster and one for minor league roster, but Burke probably didn't.

[HudsonHawk]

basically said that the position that he was drafted and groomed to play, middle infield "never became available."  it's not his fault biggio is close to 3000, but he sounds as if he feels that he has wasted away his mid-20's waiting on bidge to ride off.

No Chris, you spent your mid-20's hitting .250, striking out an an alarming rate and playing lousy defense.  It's not Craig Biggio's fault that he's still better than you.  Well, maybe it is, but that's beside the point.  If you don't like it, you're more than welcome to back to Louisville and work at Sears.

[Kent's Moustache]

Burke says he'll be playing second base.

"There's only one way to play the game and that's the right way," he says. Though he is frustrated and upset for this to happen at this time in his career. Understandable and accountable, for the most part.

If you want to see "mistreated," then take a look at Express 2B Brooks Conrad, who's going to have to now play somewhere else in the IF to accommodate Burke.

You'd be hard-pressed to find another player who's consistently produced at every level of the minors like Conrad, but still never seen the Show.

[Mr. Happy]

No Chris, you spent your mid-20's hitting .250, striking out an an alarming rate and playing lousy defense.  It's not Craig Biggio's fault that he's still better than you.  Well, maybe it is, but that's beside the point.  If you don't like it, you're more than welcome to back to Louisville and work at Sears.

Well said. If Burke was a better player, he could have been on Biggio's heels, especially given Biggio's  shortcomings/weaknesses at the plate and in the field over the past five to seven years. But he wasn't and isn't. Burke may not win the 2B job in the spring. He might have to battle Conrad and Loretta.

[JimR]

If you want to see "mistreated," then take a look at Express 2B Brooks Conrad, who's going to have to now play somewhere else in the IF to accommodate Burke.

You'd be hard-pressed to find another player who's consistently produced at every level of the minors like Conrad, but still never seen the Show.

i know. i was thinking about this last night at the Express game. if Conrad goes to 3rd, then Ransom is out, and he is a helluva player, imo.

this is one of the many reasons that Burke to RR makes no sense to me. i hope they are still trying to trade him.

[I'm Richies Dad]

If you want to see "mistreated," then take a look at Express 2B Brooks Conrad, who's going to have to now play somewhere else in the IF to accommodate Burke.

You'd be hard-pressed to find another player who's consistently produced at every level of the minors like Conrad, but still never seen the Show.

I couldn't agree more. What more does he have to prove? Conrad or Burke ought to be given a chance somewhere else.

[JimR]

I couldn't agree more. What more does he have to prove? Conrad or Burke ought to be given a chance somewhere else.

they were trying hard to send Burke somewhere. apparently, his value is not much.

[JaneDoe]

Just a few random questions:

How many days does he have to report?

What happens if he does not report to RR?


Someone mentioned here that he only has a 1 year contract--will/can he bolt to another team after this contract?


Can someone please compare/contrast the 2B prospects at RR and Corpus?

Thanks.

[JimR]

Just a few random questions:

How many days does he have to report?

What happens if he does not report to RR?


Someone mentioned here that he only has a 1 year contract--will/can he bolt to another team after this contract?


Can someone please compare/contrast the 2B prospects at RR and Corpus?

Thanks.

there are no 2B "prospects" at RR. there is Conrad, but the Astros apparently do not think as much of him as i do.

[MusicMan]

Can someone please compare/contrast the 2B prospects at RR and Corpus?

If you are putting anything but "P" in front of "prospects", just assume the answer is "ugh."

[Jacksonian]

If you are putting anything but "P" in front of "prospects", just assume the answer is "ugh."

Now, now.  Iorg and Flores at Salem are currently getting it done.  Either or both could be top 10'ers next year.  Plus, once Towles starts hitting and stays healthy he could be a top 5'er.

As for 2b.  Burke, Conrad, and Ash.  Burke has the speed.  He's a mediocre defender as has been hashed and re-re-re-re-rehashed here.  You know what he's done in Houston.  Conrad has the power but lacks speed and range.  He's never hit .300.  Ash is the contact guy.  Kinda the opposite of Conrad at the plate.  He'll hit over .300 but for almost no power.  He also lacks speed and range.  Both Ash and Conrad are hard nosed play the game right kinda guys.

[Lefty]

Conrad has the power but lacks speed and range.  He's never hit .300....Both Ash and Conrad are hard nosed play the game right kinda guys.

Did I hear JD & Brownie say yesterday that Conrad is working on catching?

[homer]

Did I hear JD & Brownie say yesterday that Conrad is working on catching?

Yes, you did. I was going to ask about that put it had slipped my mind.

Anybody seen this experiment in person?

[JimR]

Yes, you did. I was going to ask about that put it had slipped my mind.

Anybody seen this experiment in person?

no. sounds ridiculous to me. Huffman did that, and look where it got him. Munson has done a good job at C this year, imo.