Towles to RR

[Uncle Charlie]

Apologies is Cabrera is a brave:

It was mentioned on the Astros broadcast that Towles was promoted to RR.  I certainly makes more sense of the promotion of Goethals to AA.  Best of luck to JR.  Given the heavy presense of Orangewhoopassers at RR, I look forward to first hand SRs.

[Duman]

I had predicted this earlier today and deleted it thinking nah it won't happen.  Oh Well.  Good for J. R.

I bet this means Q goes when rosters expand.

[Duder]

According to Ricky Bennett, Towles may get called up to Houston when the rosters expand. 

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/5046200.html

[JimR]

Towles being rushed along

ditto Patton

more evidence of panic seeping in at the Gardner/McLane level

[Jacksonian]

more evidence of panic seeping in at the Gardner/McLane level

There are implications, esp in the short term, here further than just rushing a couple of guys to the majors.  I may write a BR article on it when I have time.

[Froback]

Towles being rushed along

ditto Patton

more evidence of panic seeping in at the Gardner/McLane level

I see these moves as rushing them for next year, not this year.  So not sure where the panic of this season might be affecting that too much.

Towles more than Patton, I would imagine though, as Ausmus will be a FA after this season.
From a pitching perspective, Patton joining the rotation would mean the end of someone in that rotation as Wandy, Chris, Woody and Brandon will all be on the team next year (barring an outright release of one).

I am a bit surprised by the Towles move though, as I though next year would be something like Munson/Gimenez or replace one with Q or Ausmus maybe with Towles being mid to late season promotion.  Now it seems more like the team is going to look hard at Towles being potentially in the OD roster next year.

[MusicMan]

more evidence of panic seeping in at the Gardner/McLane level

Bingo.

This - much, much more than the won-loss record - is what is showing that the Astros organization that was so successful for 10+ years is no more.

[pravata]

Bingo.

This - much, much more than the won-loss record - is what is showing that the Astros organization that was so successful for 10+ years is no more.

One of the criticisms of Hunsicker was that he tried to keep the business people away from on field decisisons.  He wasn't always successful, Jimy Williams as manager and Craig Biggio remaining an Astro are two examples of being overruled.  If Purpura can keep Pam Gardner interested in scrapbooking the left field facade, it would be better for everyone.

[Jacksonian]

One of the criticisms of Hunsicker was that he tried to keep the business people away from on field decisisons.  He wasn't always successful, Jimy Williams as manager and Craig Biggio remaining an Astro are two examples of being overruled.  If Purpura can keep Pam Gardner interested in scrapbooking the left field facade, it would be better for everyone.

Purpura's drafting philosophy and rushing players to the majors do not mix.

[MusicMan]

If Purpura can keep Pam Gardner interested in scrapbooking the left field facade, it would be better for everyone.

Scrapbooking it is better than wallpapering it with Landry's ads.

[pravata]

Scrapbooking it is better than wallpapering it with Landry's ads.

Either way, just keep her busy doing anything but making decisions about the team.