Author Topic: Businessman Special, Co-ards @ Astros, 8/30/07 (Read 19243 times)

mihoba · « **on:** August 30, 2007, 12:22:27 pm »

Jakes

D. Eckstein ss
S. Taguchi cf
A. Pujols 1b
J. Encarnacion rf
R. Ludwick lf
Y. Molina c
A. Miles 2b
J. Pineiro p
B. Ryan 3b

Coop's troop

H. Pence cf
C. Burke 2b
L. Berkman 1b
C. Lee lf
M. Lamb 3b
L. Scott rf
E. Bruntlett ss
E. Munson c
M. Albers p

MusicMan · « **Reply #1 on:** August 30, 2007, 12:32:38 pm »

Businessperson's special!

Jacksonian · « **Reply #2 on:** August 30, 2007, 12:33:59 pm »

My wildass speculation. This is the next audition for Albers to be in some other team's rotation next year.

Hey Twins are you watching!?

Jacksonian · « **Reply #3 on:** August 30, 2007, 12:34:35 pm »

Quote from: MusicMan on August 30, 2007, 12:32:38 pm

Businessperson's special!

When has this place ever been pc you pussy?

MikeyBoy · « **Reply #4 on:** August 30, 2007, 12:35:50 pm »

Quote from: MusicMan on August 30, 2007, 12:32:38 pm

Businessperson's special!

Thanks Pam.

94CougarGrad · « **Reply #5 on:** August 30, 2007, 12:40:30 pm »

Quote from: MusicMan on August 30, 2007, 12:32:38 pm

Businessperson's special!

I'm a chick and I don't even call it that.

Limey · « **Reply #6 on:** August 30, 2007, 12:51:51 pm »

I thought it was BusinessFan Special these days.

Also, pitcher batting 8th again. Fucking genius.

MusicMan · « **Reply #7 on:** August 30, 2007, 12:52:58 pm »

Quote from: MikeyBoy on August 30, 2007, 12:35:50 pm

Thanks Pam.

Glad someone got it.

mihoba · « **Reply #8 on:** August 30, 2007, 01:14:54 pm »

The little pain in the ass leadoff hitter who chokes up and crowds the plate singles to right, followed by a warning track fly for the former spaz pitcher turned outfielder Ankiel. Pooholes hits an easy fly to PENCE!!!, Encarnacion watches a FB sail under! Munson's glove for a wild pitch with Eckstein taking second. Encarnacion (also on top of the plate) whiffs on a nice curve.

0-0

94CougarGrad · « **Reply #9 on:** August 30, 2007, 01:15:03 pm »

Top 1st

Eckstein single to RF to lead off
Albers throw to 1st, Eckstein dives back in to barely beat it

Ankiel flies out to Luuuuuke, 1 down

Pooholes flies out to PENCE!!!, 2 down

Encarnacion up
Pitch in the dirt, gets away from Munson, Eckstein to 2nd
Encarnacion hits a pitch directly into the top of his left foot, ooowwwwww, trainer walking him around
Ball 2 in the dirt, Munson blocks this one
3-2 count, Ecky still on 2nd
Albers gets the SO... Astros coming up

**Edited to switch Taguchi for Ankiel... I must've been lookin' at the wrong lineup...

MusicMan · « **Reply #10 on:** August 30, 2007, 01:19:14 pm »

Dear God, Milo!

"Fly ball! Left field!! How far's it gonna go?!?!

(seconds of silence)

It's gonna go foul, that's where it's gonna go."

mihoba · « **Reply #11 on:** August 30, 2007, 01:22:48 pm »

Quote from: MusicMan on August 30, 2007, 01:19:14 pm

Dear God, Milo!

"Fly ball! Left field!! How far's it gonna go?!?!

(seconds of silence)

It's gonna go foul, that's where it's gonna go."

Brownie and the camera man got excited, too.

94CougarGrad · « **Reply #12 on:** August 30, 2007, 01:23:56 pm »

PENCE!!! knocks one to the Crawfords... nope, he doesn't, dang
Strikeout by the kid

Burke singles past the SS

Berkman at the plate, shallow pop to 3B, 2 down

El Caballo, quien es muy macho, up to bat, and WATCHES HELPLESSLY AS MOLINA GUNS DOWN BURKE TRYING TO STEAL 2ND BY A MILE.
Fuck.

Top of the 2nd coming up

94CougarGrad · « **Reply #13 on:** August 30, 2007, 01:28:23 pm »

Ludwick up
another pitch in the dirt, Munson blocks, is this Albers or Munson having brain farts?
Broken bat single to 3rd, Ludwick thrown out at 1st

Molina up
High pop up, Munson gets it, even though Brownie called him Ausmus at first, two down

Miles, whom Brownie dubs a "pesky hitter", up
"He's got 4 hits in this series due to his peskiness."
(Hey, it's whassisname, the home plate ump that cracks me up with his striiiiiiiyeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek)
Chopped to Bruntlett, throw to 1st, 3 outs

Middle 2nd on the way

mihoba · « **Reply #14 on:** August 30, 2007, 01:29:59 pm »

Quote from: 94CougarGrad on August 30, 2007, 01:28:23 pm

(Hey, it's whassisname, the home plate ump that cracks me up with his striiiiiiiyeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek)

Jim Joyce

Limey · « **Reply #15 on:** August 30, 2007, 01:30:26 pm »

Tee hee hee.

"Blutarsky" hitting Pitcher will lead off the 3rd, instead of .317 hitting 3rd baseman. I can hear foreheads being slapped in STL from here!

MusicMan · « **Reply #16 on:** August 30, 2007, 01:30:53 pm »

Quote from: mihoba on August 30, 2007, 01:29:59 pm

Jim Joyce

That would explain why the call is overwraught and drawn out.

ybbodeus · « **Reply #17 on:** August 30, 2007, 01:31:33 pm »

Quote from: MusicMan on August 30, 2007, 12:52:58 pm

Glad someone got it.

I'm just getting here and ALMOST replied in kind. However, I was going to post, "Thanks, MR. Gardner."

Limey · « **Reply #18 on:** August 30, 2007, 01:33:16 pm »

Who's pitching for the Jakes? Andy Zipp?

austro · « **Reply #19 on:** August 30, 2007, 01:35:14 pm »

Quote from: MusicMan on August 30, 2007, 01:30:53 pm

That would explain why the call is overwraught and drawn out.

Excellent.

94CougarGrad · « **Reply #20 on:** August 30, 2007, 01:37:25 pm »

El Caballo, quien es still muy macho, at bat again
3-2 count, nobody on
chops a little sputterer to Ryan, throw to 1st, 1 down

Lamb up
3-0 count
make that 3-1 count now
and a walk for Laaaamb

Luuuke up to bat
hard swing through a high fastball, streeyiiiiiiike 1
in the dirt, bounces between Molina's chest protector and the dirt a couple times, 2-1 count, no runner advance
Luuuuuke smacks it up the LF line, Lamb books it home! Pooholes cut off the throw to Molina and reverbs it back to 3rd to tag out Luuuke
2 down now, Astros up 1-0

Bruntlett up
groundout to Pooholes

Top 3rd on the way, Astros 1, Cards zip

ybbodeus · « **Reply #21 on:** August 30, 2007, 01:37:58 pm »

¿Quien es mas macho, la puma? ¿El Caballo? ¿Lloyd Bridges? ¿Ricardo Montalban? ¿o Yack Lord?

JimR · « **Reply #22 on:** August 30, 2007, 01:39:08 pm »

Quote from: 94CougarGrad on August 30, 2007, 01:28:23 pm

Ludwick up
another pitch in the dirt, Munson blocks, is this Albers or Munson having brain farts?

how is Munson responsible for a pitch in the dirt?

MusicMan · « **Reply #23 on:** August 30, 2007, 01:39:19 pm »

Quote from: ybbodeus on August 30, 2007, 01:37:58 pm

¿Quien es mas macho, la puma? ¿El Caballo? ¿Lloyd Bridges? ¿Ricardo Montalban? ¿o Yack Lord?

Ricardo Montalban es mas macho - siempre.

ybbodeus · « **Reply #24 on:** August 30, 2007, 01:42:00 pm »

Quote from: MusicMan on August 30, 2007, 01:39:19 pm

Ricardo Montalban es mas macho - siempre.

¡SI! ¡SI!

Limey · « **Reply #25 on:** August 30, 2007, 01:42:37 pm »

Quote from: Limey on August 30, 2007, 01:30:26 pm

Tee hee hee.

"Blutarsky" hitting Pitcher will lead off the 3rd, instead of .317 hitting 3rd baseman. I can hear foreheads being slapped in STL from here!

And, of course, Blutarsky singles...

mihoba · « **Reply #26 on:** August 30, 2007, 01:43:16 pm »

Molina was shocked Pooholes cut off that ball, and JD commented that was the closest to the plate cut-off man he has ever seen, Pooholes was only about 15' in front of the plate when he grabbed Ecksteins rainbow throw.

They had a play at the plate on Lamb.

mihoba · « **Reply #27 on:** August 30, 2007, 01:44:27 pm »

Quote from: JimR on August 30, 2007, 01:39:08 pm

how is Munson responsible for a pitch in the dirt?

The first time, it wasn't in the dirt until after it went under Munson's glove. He just flat missed it, JD said it should be a PB.

94CougarGrad · « **Reply #28 on:** August 30, 2007, 01:47:57 pm »

Dang... missed the first batter... Ryan smacks a double over Carlos' head, Cards have runners on 2nd and 3rd now

Eckstein up
grounder to Bruntlett, Ecky thrown out at 1st, but a runner scores
1 down for the Cards, 1-1, Ryan at 3rd

Ankiel up
Line drive to Berkman, 2 down

Munson out to chat with Albers because...
Pooholes up
JD: "Later on, this is just a put him on situation, but this early on, in the 3rd inning, you've gotta try to get him out."
2-0 count
okay, now it's an intentional walk

Encarnacion up, 2 outs, runners on the corners
little tapper, Munson runs out, throw to 1st, 3 outs

1-1 game, bottom of the 3rd coming

JimR · « **Reply #29 on:** August 30, 2007, 01:48:21 pm »

Quote from: mihoba on August 30, 2007, 01:44:27 pm

The first time, it wasn't in the dirt until after it went under Munson's glove. He just flat missed it, JD said it should be a PB.

oh, i could not get that from a comment about a pitch he blocked.

94CougarGrad · « **Reply #30 on:** August 30, 2007, 01:49:33 pm »

Quote from: JimR on August 30, 2007, 01:48:21 pm

oh, i could not get that from a comment about a pitch he blocked.

Yeah, sorry, I'm trying to watch the game, do pbp, and work all at the same time, so *I* had the brain fart and typed something incoherently.

mihoba · « **Reply #31 on:** August 30, 2007, 01:52:32 pm »

Quote from: JimR on August 30, 2007, 01:48:21 pm

oh, i could not get that from a comment about a pitch he blocked.

I was referring to the "again" part. Albers threw an ankle high FB in the first inning that went under Munson's glove on the fly, ruled a WP.

94CougarGrad · « **Reply #32 on:** August 30, 2007, 01:57:31 pm »

Bottom of the tres

Munson up
3-1 count, jams a ball foul past 1st
knocks it past Miles, who dives and misses due to a tough luck hop, single for Munson

Albers next, showing bunt
2 fouls on 2 pitches
wild pitch sailing way to Molina's left, Munson jogs peacefully to 2nd
Molina out to the mound to save face
JD says on the replay that that ball probably should've been caught
Albers strikes out, 1 down

PENCE!!! at the plate
the kid knocks it to Eckstein, Munson scrambles back to 2nd, PENCE!!! thrown out at 1st, 2 down

Burke up
2-0 count on a hook dropped a bit too low
2-2 count on what should've been a ball, barely caught by Molina, Brownie and JD puzzled as to why Joyce called that a striyeeeek
Burke lines to LF, Ludwig catches it, 3 outs

1-1, top of the 4th coming

94CougarGrad · « **Reply #33 on:** August 30, 2007, 01:58:10 pm »

Quote from: MusicMan on August 30, 2007, 01:39:19 pm

Ricardo Montalban es mas macho - siempre.

KIRK! KIIIRK!

remy · « **Reply #34 on:** August 30, 2007, 01:59:53 pm »

Holy mother of Lamb, what a play! Just call him Lambiniti.

94CougarGrad · « **Reply #35 on:** August 30, 2007, 02:03:17 pm »

Top 4

Ludwig smacks it to Lamb, who LUNGES TO NAB IT, RECOVERS, AND THROWS THE DODO BIRD OUT AT 1ST!! (Milo had to've given him a blue star for that one)

Molina up
JD comments he's going to Wrigley tonight to watch the game... he'll take off his shirt, paint someone's number on his chest, and then I quit listening to him jabber
Molina sends it to Carlos, who jogs macho-ly to nab the fly, 2 down

Miles chops it foul on the 1B side
broken bat roller to Burke, throws out Miles at 1st

Still tied 1-1, bottom 4 se vengo

MusicMan · « **Reply #36 on:** August 30, 2007, 02:03:26 pm »

Quote from: 94CougarGrad on August 30, 2007, 01:58:10 pm

KIRK! KIIIRK!

KHAAAAAAANNN!

94CougarGrad · « **Reply #37 on:** August 30, 2007, 02:05:45 pm »

Big Puma strikes again!!!! First pitch!!! Homer to RF! Astros lead 2-1

remy · « **Reply #38 on:** August 30, 2007, 02:06:33 pm »

Such a sweet swing

MusicMan · « **Reply #39 on:** August 30, 2007, 02:06:41 pm »

PUUUUUUMMMAAAAA!!!

Limey · « **Reply #40 on:** August 30, 2007, 02:09:05 pm »

How "deep" was El Kabong's "deep drive to center"?

94CougarGrad · « **Reply #41 on:** August 30, 2007, 02:09:38 pm »

Okay, back to the bottom 4th...

Big Puma went into the 2nd deck on the homer

El Caballo knocked a long fly to Ankielbiter, 1 out

Lambiniti up
sends a 2-1 pitch deep to LF, caught in front of the scoreboard, 2 down

Yankmees 2, BoSox 0, top 7th, says Brownie

Luuuuke up
long line to RF, went foul, dang it
nice Hawaiian shirt on the fan who got the ball
long fly to LF, Ludwig goes to almost the same spot where he caught Lamb's ball, 3 outs

Top of the 5th on the way... Astros 2, Cards 1

94CougarGrad · « **Reply #42 on:** August 30, 2007, 02:10:03 pm »

Quote from: Limey on August 30, 2007, 02:09:05 pm

How "deep" was El Kabong's "deep drive to center"?

not up Tal's Hill, in front of it

remy · « **Reply #43 on:** August 30, 2007, 02:10:45 pm »

Man... everyone was hitting the ball hard that inning, but the park held em all except Lance's

MusicMan · « **Reply #44 on:** August 30, 2007, 02:11:41 pm »

[dead horse]This Coca-Cola commercial still drives me crazy.

"Man, do you cheer."[/dead horse]

homer · « **Reply #45 on:** August 30, 2007, 02:11:46 pm »

Quote from: luigi on August 30, 2007, 02:10:45 pm

Man... everyone was hitting the ball hard that inning, but the park held em all except Lance's

MMP is a bandbox.

Limey · « **Reply #46 on:** August 30, 2007, 02:12:35 pm »

Quote from: homer on August 30, 2007, 02:11:46 pm

MMP is a bandbox.

Pam Gardner's Box.

remy · « **Reply #47 on:** August 30, 2007, 02:12:45 pm »

Quote from: MusicMan on August 30, 2007, 02:11:41 pm

[dead horse]This Coca-Cola commercial still drives me crazy.

"Man, do you cheer."[/dead horse]

Easy as stealing 2nd on a wild pitch.

MusicMan · « **Reply #48 on:** August 30, 2007, 02:16:39 pm »

Quote from: Limey on August 30, 2007, 02:12:35 pm

Pam Gardner's Box.

I'm requesting a ban on all such references, before I end up looking like Nicole Richie.

94CougarGrad · « **Reply #49 on:** August 30, 2007, 02:20:28 pm »

Top 5

Pineiro (sp?) up
sa-wing, batter batter, strikeout, 1 down

Ryan up
breaking pitch, striyeeeeek one
knocks a fly to right center, Luuuke comes in for the leaning catch, 2 outs

The Knight Who Says Ecky Ecky Ecky up
knocks a foul for a 2-2 count
grounder to Bruntlett, whoooops it went right through his glove and he had to go to his right 3 feet to get it, Eckstein reaches on the error

Ankiel up
JD: "(Bruntlett is) getting out his pom-poms and cheering for the pitcher." (because Pooholes is in the on-deck circle)
JD says Albers needs to be aggressive with Ankiel
urg, Matt... JD said down and away, not down and into his calf
4-pitch walk to Ankiel
JD: "That's a 'whatever you do, don't walk this guy' walk."

and Munson out to the mound again
Pooholes, rather unshaven ($2 pitcher night again, Al?) up
beautiful strike 1
bounces a foul off his leg, 1-2 count
Coop watching intently
foul, still 1-2
stays in it with ANOTHER foul
SWINGING strike three, whew! good job, kid

2-1 Astros, bottom 5 coming

Limey · « **Reply #50 on:** August 30, 2007, 02:21:56 pm »

Quote from: MusicMan on August 30, 2007, 02:16:39 pm

I'm requesting a ban on all such references, before I end up looking like Nicole Richie.

One of my favourite movie lines, from Notting Hill, in response to Hugh Grant's lament that he's opened Pandora's Box, Rhys Ifans says:

"I once knew a girl called Pandora. Never got to see her box though."

MusicMan · « **Reply #51 on:** August 30, 2007, 02:24:14 pm »

Has anyone ever seen Nicole Richie and Rhys Ifans in the same place?

94CougarGrad · « **Reply #52 on:** August 30, 2007, 02:27:50 pm »

Bottom 5

Bruntlett lined back to the pitcher, 1 down

Munson up
pop to shallow left, three players running to get it, someone caught it, 2 down

Albers up
foul tip, 3 outs

top of the 6th on the way

Limey · « **Reply #53 on:** August 30, 2007, 02:30:15 pm »

Quote from: MusicMan on August 30, 2007, 02:24:14 pm

Has anyone ever seen Nicole Richie and Rhys Ifans in the same place?

Rhys Ifans is the better looking one.

Froback · « **Reply #54 on:** August 30, 2007, 02:30:38 pm »

Milo is getting awfully weepy over the fact that they are going to Chicago and he is not.

94CougarGrad · « **Reply #55 on:** August 30, 2007, 02:34:54 pm »

Top 6th

Encarnacion up
walks on 5th pitch

Ludwig sends the 1st pitch to shallow center, PENCE!!! grabs it, 1 out

Molina at bat
1-0 count, Albers tosses to 1st, Encarnacion dives back in
Encarnacion takes off, Munson throws him out by half a mile! Two down.

Final batter thrown out at 1st, sorry I'm on the phone so I didn't see what happened

Bottom 6th coming up
Astros 2, Cards 1

Limey · « **Reply #56 on:** August 30, 2007, 02:43:24 pm »

Chris Burke continues to not get "it" done.

Froback · « **Reply #57 on:** August 30, 2007, 02:46:14 pm »

Quote from: Limey on August 30, 2007, 02:43:24 pm

Chris Burke continues to not get "it" done.

Unfortunately neither did Berkman...

remy · « **Reply #58 on:** August 30, 2007, 02:46:19 pm »

Quote from: Limey on August 30, 2007, 02:43:24 pm

Chris Burke continues to not get "it" done.

Berkman and Lee follow suit. It's like they think we're in extra innings already.

Serious lack of situational hitting on this team of late.

94CougarGrad · « **Reply #59 on:** August 30, 2007, 02:46:59 pm »

PENCE!!! lines foul to left, 0-1
apparently the ball hit a fan's hand and ricocheted off
JD says the guy needs a "nice frosty beverage" to control the swelling
the kid sends one left, single

Burke up
throw to hold PENCE!!! at 1st
Pineiro throws to first, and it GOES FAR WILD, INTO THE FOUL CORNER THERE PAST 1ST, and PENCE!!! SCRAMBLES TO 3RD!!1!
Pooholes looking irritated... awww

What's that? Oh, Burke still up...
2-2 count, Molina didn't get the appeal
Burke pops up to Miles, someone shouts "Dang it!" (may have been Burke), 1 down

Big Puma up, let's get the kid home, man
slices the 1st pitch down the LF line and it goes... foul
0-2 count, Lance keeps fouling to hang in there
86 pitches for Pineiro now
Lance knocks a bouncer back to Pineiro, throw to 1st, 2 outs, the kid stays at 3rd

El Caballo, Quien Es Muy Macho, up
Molina out to chat with Pineiro and give him a "feel-good" hug
1-1 count, Lee watched that strike go right by
Molina setting up way out right
JD thinks Molina wants to pitch around Lee, because he's setting up so far out, but Pineiro doesn't wanna
Aiiee, Lee does the limbo on that ball, 2-2 count
3-2 count, c'mon, Carlos...
...knock it to 3rd and get thrown out at 1st for the final out

2-1 Astros

Froback · « **Reply #60 on:** August 30, 2007, 02:47:23 pm »

Man, runner at 3rd no outs and your 2-3-4 hitters can't find a way to score him... ARRRGGG!

Limey · « **Reply #61 on:** August 30, 2007, 02:49:56 pm »

Quote from: luigi on August 30, 2007, 02:46:19 pm

Serious lack of situational hitting on this team of late.

Gifted a runner on 3rd with no one out, and the heart of the order leaves him there. I don't think I'm exaggerating when I say that this is about the billionth time we've seen this.

remy · « **Reply #62 on:** August 30, 2007, 02:51:51 pm »

Quote from: Limey on August 30, 2007, 02:49:56 pm

Gifted a runner on 3rd with no one out, and the heart of the order leaves him there. I don't think I'm exaggerating when I say that this is about the billionth time we've seen this.

Sean Berry click here.

94CougarGrad · « **Reply #63 on:** August 30, 2007, 02:55:51 pm »

Visitors' 7th

Miles up
popped up around 3rd, Bruntlett jogged over and got it, 1 down
Johnson warming up in Co-ard bullpen

Duncan in to hit for Pineiro
grounds to Burke, thrown out at 1st, 2 outs

Ryan up
dang, two-out walk

Ecky up
foul pop-up towards the dugout, Berkman runs over and catches it, preventing it from hitting the assistant athletic trainer

7th-inning stretch in progress, Astros 2-1

94CougarGrad · « **Reply #64 on:** August 30, 2007, 02:58:19 pm »

gotta go get the kids at school, will try to resume pbp later

Limey · « **Reply #65 on:** August 30, 2007, 03:06:02 pm »

Quote from: 94CougarGrad on August 30, 2007, 02:58:19 pm

gotta go get the kids at school, will try to resume pbp later

You've got to work on your priorities.

Froback · « **Reply #66 on:** August 30, 2007, 03:22:20 pm »

Blutarski family is at the game it seems.

mihoba · « **Reply #67 on:** August 30, 2007, 03:22:27 pm »

It appeared to me that Springer was trying to groove Bidge there. Former teammate conspiracy!

Of course, the only ball he hit fair was a flat slider w/ 2 strikes, a dribbler up the middle on a half-ass swing that Eck dived for and knocked down.

mihoba · « **Reply #68 on:** August 30, 2007, 03:24:38 pm »

I'm shocked, Burke got the bunt down. IBB to Twinkie, bases juiced w/ 1 out.

ybbodeus · « **Reply #69 on:** August 30, 2007, 03:26:05 pm »

Quote from: 94CougarGrad on August 30, 2007, 01:58:10 pm

KIRK! KIIIRK!

I'm LAUGHING at the superior intellect!

remy · « **Reply #70 on:** August 30, 2007, 03:30:44 pm »

Un-fucking-believable. Should be about 5-1 by now.

austro · « **Reply #71 on:** August 30, 2007, 03:33:37 pm »

Quote from: luigi on August 30, 2007, 03:30:44 pm

Un-fucking-believable. Should be about 5-1 by now.

According to mlb.com, everybody except the pinch-hitting Biggio has left at least one man on base. And Biggio led off the inning, so he didn't get much of a chance.

mihoba · « **Reply #72 on:** August 30, 2007, 03:39:32 pm »

And Lidge nails it down with some nasty stuff.

A win is a win.

jbm · « **Reply #73 on:** August 30, 2007, 04:16:55 pm »

Quote from: Jacksonian on August 30, 2007, 12:33:59 pm

My wildass speculation. This is the next audition for Albers to be in some other team's rotation next year.

Hey Twins are you watching!?

I sure hope it is just your speculation. imo, Albers looks like he could be a top of the rotation guy. Good four seamer, a nasty two seamer, a servicable curve and an improving change. His ceiling seems higher than the other youngsters.

Jacksonian · « **Reply #74 on:** August 30, 2007, 04:22:07 pm »

Quote from: jbm on August 30, 2007, 04:16:55 pm

I sure hope it is just your speculation. imo, Albers looks like he could be a top of the rotation guy. Good four seamer, a nasty two seamer, a servicable curve and an improving change. His ceiling seems higher than the other youngsters.

A couple of years ago I thought so too. But, if he can help fetch Santana or more likely a solid experienced #2 type starter then you have to pull the trigger.

JimR · « **Reply #75 on:** August 30, 2007, 04:27:29 pm »

Quote from: Jacksonian on August 30, 2007, 04:22:07 pm

A couple of years ago I thought so too. But, if he can help fetch Santana or more likely a solid experienced #2 type starter then you have to pull the trigger.

Albers for Santana? who else are we throwing in--Ryan and JR Richard?

jbm · « **Reply #76 on:** August 30, 2007, 04:31:43 pm »

That was a good call. Certainly, if we are talking about someone of Santana's caliber or a real number 2, Albers is expendable. I just hope the Astros are not valueing him as just another promising arm. We have a number of those, but Albers seems like he is slightly beyond that point now.

Jacksonian · « **Reply #77 on:** August 30, 2007, 04:43:13 pm »

Quote from: JimR on August 30, 2007, 04:27:29 pm

Albers for Santana? who else are we throwing in--Ryan and JR Richard?

Help fetch. If Santana can be had at all it's going to take multiple players and if the Astros are going to get him they're going to have to give up players like Albers, Gutierrez, Patton, Pence... I dunno what combination the Twins would do, if any, but the Astros would have to give up a lot of talent.

If the Twins can't get him to reup berfore his contract expires at the end of next season then they have to deal him otherwise all they'll get is a 1st round pick and supp 1st round pick. That's not nearly what they would get for him in trade.

Jacksonian · « **Reply #78 on:** August 30, 2007, 04:45:18 pm »

Quote from: jbm on August 30, 2007, 04:31:43 pm

That was a good call. Certainly, if we are talking about someone of Santana's caliber or a real number 2, Albers is expendable. I just hope the Astros are not valueing him as just another promising arm. We have a number of those, but Albers seems like he is slightly beyond that point now.

Mark's mentioned more than once about him not being able to go more than about 5 or having a meltdown inning. Albers has stepped it up the last outings. Hopefully that foreshadows improvement as a starter.

JimR · « **Reply #79 on:** August 30, 2007, 04:54:11 pm »

Quote from: Jacksonian on August 30, 2007, 04:43:13 pm

Help fetch. If Santana can be had at all it's going to take multiple players and if the Astros are going to get him they're going to have to give up players like Albers, Gutierrez, Patton, Pence... I dunno what combination the Twins would do, if any, but the Astros would have to give up a lot of talent.

If the Twins can't get him to reup berfore his contract expires at the end of next season then they have to deal him otherwise all they'll get is a 1st round pick and supp 1st round pick. That's not nearly what they would get for him in trade.

you'd need to swallow hard to do this--Albers, Gutierrez, Patton, Pence or any combination--for a rental.

Duman · « **Reply #80 on:** August 30, 2007, 04:56:56 pm »

Quote from: JimR on August 30, 2007, 04:54:11 pm

you'd need to swallow hard to do this--Albers, Gutierrez, Patton, Pence or any combination--for a rental.

That's not filing for chapter 11, that is chapter 13 and maybe a going out of business sale

Noe · « **Reply #81 on:** August 30, 2007, 05:05:55 pm »

Quote from: JimR on August 30, 2007, 04:54:11 pm

you'd need to swallow hard to do this--Albers, Gutierrez, Patton, Pence or any combination--for a rental.

McLane would have to pony up the cash right away to make it viable. Wanna be a champion, Drayton?

JimR · « **Reply #82 on:** August 30, 2007, 05:06:03 pm »

Quote from: Duman on August 30, 2007, 04:56:56 pm

That's not filing for chapter 11, that is chapter 13 and maybe a going out of business sale

kinda hard to be a Champion without some of them.

austro · « **Reply #83 on:** August 30, 2007, 05:10:32 pm »

Quote from: JimR on August 30, 2007, 04:54:11 pm

you'd need to swallow hard to do this--Albers, Gutierrez, Patton, Pence or any combination--for a rental.

It's obviously not my choice to make, but it wouldn't bother me if the Astros did go into rebuilding mode for a season or two. Don't make trades for rentals until you're really one or two players away from the top. That's certainly not where they are now. There are more holes than can be filled if filling a hole requires giving up two or three prospects. The only alternative is to step back, take a breath, hold on to the prospects and let them develop.

Froback · « **Reply #84 on:** August 30, 2007, 05:11:11 pm »

If you could manage to hang on to one of those pitchers, and have the deal contingent on extending Santanna for like 5 yrs at 18Mil per, I think I might do that deal. But giving up all 3 pitchers AND PENCE!!!! would be too much. As the Astros would gut what little they have left in the farm system.

Froback · « **Reply #85 on:** August 30, 2007, 05:12:14 pm »

Quote from: austro on August 30, 2007, 05:10:32 pm

It's obviously not my choice to make, but it wouldn't bother me if the Astros did go into rebuilding mode for a season or two. Don't make trades for rentals until you're really one or two players away from the top. That's certainly not where they are now. There are more holes than can be filled if filling a hole requires giving up two or three prospects. The only alternative is to step back, take a breath, hold on to the prospects and let them develop.

That was what I THOUGHT the team was going to do until Drayton fired everyone. Now I don't see Drayton having the stomach to admit they need to rebuild.

JimR · « **Reply #86 on:** August 30, 2007, 05:21:03 pm »

Quote from: Froback on August 30, 2007, 05:11:11 pm

If you could manage to hang on to one of those pitchers, and have the deal contingent on extending Santanna for like 5 yrs at 18Mil per, I think I might do that deal. But giving up all 3 pitchers AND PENCE!!!! would be too much. As the Astros would gut what little they have left in the farm system.

too many ifs. Santana is going FA.

austro · « **Reply #87 on:** August 30, 2007, 05:23:28 pm »

Quote from: Froback on August 30, 2007, 05:12:14 pm

That was what I THOUGHT the team was going to do until Drayton fired everyone. Now I don't see Drayton having the stomach to admit they need to rebuild.

Well, he needs to make an accurate and honest assessment of the current talent level, and when he does he'll realize he's more than two or three players away from contending. If he wants to fill those holes right now, he'll have two choices: trade away all (or nearly all) of his advanced prospects, or spend lots of money. And no amount of money will cause quality free agents to magically appear in this year's free agent market (the pitching market looks especially lame).

Drayton's been in deficit spending mode wrt the farm system for a while, and it can't go on forever. It's probably time to balance the budget a bit.

JimR · « **Reply #88 on:** August 30, 2007, 05:27:31 pm »

Quote from: austro on August 30, 2007, 05:23:28 pm

Well, he needs to make an accurate and honest assessment of the current talent level,

he is not qualified to do this. that is the point.

Jacksonian · « **Reply #89 on:** August 30, 2007, 05:47:56 pm »

Quote from: JimR on August 30, 2007, 05:21:03 pm

too many ifs. Santana is going FA.

That's most likely the case. I can't imagine the Astros giving up that much talent without Santana agreeing to a long-term contract as part of the trade.

But, penciling Santana into the marketing campaign would certainly get Gardner wet.

Lurch · « **Reply #90 on:** August 30, 2007, 05:55:06 pm »

Quote from: Jacksonian on August 30, 2007, 05:47:56 pm

That's most likely the case. I can't imagine the Astros giving up that much talent without Santana agreeing to a long-term contract as part of the trade.

But, penciling Santana into the marketing campaign would certainly get Gardner wet.

Juice Box

austro · « **Reply #91 on:** August 30, 2007, 05:57:59 pm »

Quote from: Jacksonian on August 30, 2007, 05:47:56 pm

But, penciling Santana into the marketing campaign would certainly get Gardner wet.

"The return of the really, really good guy."