Author Topic: blum reaches verbal agreement with astros (Read 6566 times)

DVauthrin · « **on:** November 17, 2007, 04:19:55 pm »

fox 26 says so

JimR · « **Reply #1 on:** November 17, 2007, 04:45:06 pm »

Colt 45 · « **Reply #2 on:** November 17, 2007, 05:41:18 pm »

excellent

Fredia · « **Reply #3 on:** November 17, 2007, 07:00:16 pm »

Quote from: DVauthrin on November 17, 2007, 04:19:55 pm

fox 26 says so

happy dance time. its all comming together. cant wait to see the finished product

Jose Cruz III · « **Reply #4 on:** November 19, 2007, 10:12:29 am »

Blum is a nice pickup. The new brass has struck it rich with every move they have made so far. Of course that is just my opinion.

hostros7 · « **Reply #5 on:** November 19, 2007, 10:15:27 am »

Glad to have him back. Like all the activity already this year.

Tralfaz · « **Reply #6 on:** November 19, 2007, 10:41:51 am »

Good, no more World Series home runs against us for him.

pravata · « **Reply #7 on:** November 19, 2007, 10:53:44 am »

Quote from: hostros7 on November 19, 2007, 10:15:27 am

Glad to have him back. Like all the activity already this year.

McTaggart is blowing this horn in his blog. About how Purpura sat on his hands and Wade (doesn't mention the Smith part) is not afraid to "pull the trigger". Lets see, Wade has acquired Bourn (essentially following up on a deadline trade attempt by Purpura) (eta: forgot Geary and Costanzo) and Villareal, and minor leaguers Abercombie and Ramirez. Before the 07 season Purpura signed Carlos Lee, the 2nd most pursued FA hitter, traded for Jason Jennings, also against stiff competition, signed Mark Loretta, and Woody Williams.

I'm not saying WadeSmith isn't doing some interesting things so far, but the idea that Purpura did nothing and the current GMs are shaking things up, is bunk.

Andyzipp · « **Reply #8 on:** November 19, 2007, 10:59:43 am »

Quote from: pravata on November 19, 2007, 10:53:44 am

McTaggart is blowing this horn in his blog. (snip)

I'm not saying WadeSmith isn't doing some interesting things so far, but the idea that Purpura did nothing and the current GMs are shaking things up, is bunk.

He's just giddy that WadeSmith will still allow him in the room during press conferences. At this point last year, lil Brian had been reduced to getting quotes from Rex Jones' mustache wax canister.

pravata · « **Reply #9 on:** November 19, 2007, 11:04:16 am »

Quote from: Andyzipp on November 19, 2007, 10:59:43 am

He's just giddy that WadeSmith will still allow him in the room during press conferences. At this point last year, lil Brian had been reduced to getting quotes from Rex Jones' mustache wax canister.

Rex Jones' mustache wax canister, isn't that equivalent to an all access pass? I figured as much. I think our local writers are more impressed with Wade's razzle dazzle than were the Philadelphia writers.

littlevisigoth · « **Reply #10 on:** November 19, 2007, 11:35:59 am »

so no arb to Loretta? wouldn't seem to make sense with Blum signed.

would've been nice to get a draft pick for him.

austro · « **Reply #11 on:** November 19, 2007, 11:50:55 am »

Quote from: littlevisigoth on November 19, 2007, 11:35:59 am

so no arb to Loretta? wouldn't seem to make sense with Blum signed.

would've been nice to get a draft pick for him.

Edited to compensate for my reading comprehension deficit. I'm a moron.

pravata · « **Reply #12 on:** November 19, 2007, 11:55:26 am »

Quote from: austro on November 19, 2007, 11:50:55 am

Edited to compensate for my reading comprehension deficit. I'm a moron.

With all the incorrect information, such as this from the Chron's Fan Blog,

"Further, it should allow the Astros to offer arbitration to pitcher Jason Jennings and infielder Mark Loretta. Neither may likely accept, but the Astros would get the resulting draft pick."

there is some incentive for us to keep going over these types of facts. Loretta, yes, Jennings, no.

Lurch · « **Reply #13 on:** November 20, 2007, 12:30:18 pm »

Official

Valerie Plame

Quote

one-year, $1.1-million contract, plus incentives. The deal also includes a club option for 2009.

pravata · « **Reply #14 on:** November 20, 2007, 01:06:28 pm »

Quote from: Lurch on November 20, 2007, 12:30:18 pm

Official

Valerie Plame

Astros say,

"...his versatility is a big plus, Geoff also has the ability to go out and play one position on a regular basis..."
Link

Lurch · « **Reply #15 on:** November 20, 2007, 01:16:50 pm »

Quote from: pravata on November 20, 2007, 01:06:28 pm

Astros say,

"...his versatility is a big plus, Geoff also has the ability to go out and play one position on a regular basis..."
Link

Is that quote at all logical?

Bench · « **Reply #16 on:** November 20, 2007, 01:19:05 pm »

Quote from: Lurch on November 20, 2007, 01:16:50 pm

Is that quote at all logical?

Yes

pravata · « **Reply #17 on:** November 20, 2007, 01:19:32 pm »

Quote from: Lurch on November 20, 2007, 01:16:50 pm

Is that quote at all logical?

Completely. More importantly it hints that WadeSmith may consider Blum a starter.

Lurch · « **Reply #18 on:** November 20, 2007, 01:21:03 pm »

Ahh... put that "While" back in there...

Jacksonian · « **Reply #19 on:** November 20, 2007, 01:23:26 pm »

Quote from: pravata on November 20, 2007, 01:19:32 pm

Completely. More importantly it hints that WadeSmith may consider Blum a starter.

If the Astros also sign Matsui that could leave a 3-way battle for 2b in ST.

At any rate they still need to add another infielder to the team.

pravata · « **Reply #20 on:** November 20, 2007, 01:24:55 pm »

Quote from: Jacksonian on November 20, 2007, 01:23:26 pm

If the Astros also sign Matsui that could leave a 3-way battle for 2b in ST.

At any rate they still need to add another infielder to the team.

Someone who can play shortstop and not just stand between 2nd and 3rd.

pravata · « **Reply #21 on:** November 20, 2007, 01:26:01 pm »

Quote from: Lurch on November 20, 2007, 01:21:03 pm

Ahh... put that "While" back in there...

The "also" covers that.

BUWebguy · « **Reply #22 on:** November 20, 2007, 01:40:26 pm »

Quote from: pravata on November 20, 2007, 01:06:28 pm

Astros say,

"...his versatility is a big plus, Geoff also has the ability to go out and play one position on a regular basis..."
Link

The end of that phrase -- "giving us a lot of protection on the field" -- makes me think that Wade was referring to Blum being able to play everyday if someone got hurt for an extended period, versus considering him for a starting job out of the gate.

The full sentence: "While his versatility is a big plus, Geoff also has the ability to go out and play one position on a regular basis, giving us a lot of protection on the field."

Jacksonian · « **Reply #23 on:** November 20, 2007, 01:45:21 pm »

Quote from: BUWebguy on November 20, 2007, 01:40:26 pm

The end of that phrase -- "giving us a lot of protection on the field" -- makes me think that Wade was referring to Blum being able to play everyday if someone got hurt for an extended period, versus considering him for a starting job out of the gate.

The full sentence: "While his versatility is a big plus, Geoff also has the ability to go out and play one position on a regular basis, giving us a lot of protection on the field."

I read it as, "If Burke sucks, we're covered."

pravata · « **Reply #24 on:** November 20, 2007, 01:47:41 pm »

Quote from: Jacksonian on November 20, 2007, 01:45:21 pm

I read it as, "If Burke sucks, we're covered."

Me too. They're not putting him at short on a regular basis, no matter what, and unless Wigginton is injured, he's not playing 3rd for any length of time.

Jacksonian · « **Reply #25 on:** November 20, 2007, 01:50:20 pm »

Quote from: pravata on November 20, 2007, 01:47:41 pm

Me too. They're not putting him at short on a regular basis, no matter what, and unless Wigginton is injured, he's not playing 3rd for any length of time.

Can Matsui play short? If not then I'd guess he's out of the picture with Blum signing.

As you said they need a backup SS. They don't have a reliable one right now.

JimR · « **Reply #26 on:** November 20, 2007, 01:53:23 pm »

Quote from: Jacksonian on November 20, 2007, 01:50:20 pm

Can Matsui play short? If not then I'd guess he's out of the picture with Blum signing.

As you said they need a backup SS. They don't have a reliable one right now.

Matsui came over here as a SS.

pravata · « **Reply #27 on:** November 20, 2007, 02:19:29 pm »

Quote from: JimR on November 20, 2007, 01:53:23 pm

Matsui came over here as a SS.

Considered the best SS in Japanese history. Had some trouble in NY, but some attribute that to the "pressure" of playing in NY and that he previously had played on artifical turf. He's definitely a better backup shortstop than anyone likely to be on the Astros right now. Iguchi has never played short. What was that Ringolsby was saying?

Tralfaz · « **Reply #28 on:** November 20, 2007, 02:23:29 pm »

Quote from: pravata on November 20, 2007, 02:19:29 pm

Considered the best SS in Japanese history.

Didn't the Mets originally move Reyes to 2B because of this?

pravata · « **Reply #29 on:** November 20, 2007, 02:26:46 pm »

Quote from: Tralfaz on November 20, 2007, 02:23:29 pm

Didn't the Mets originally move Reyes to 2B because of this?

The way I'm reading it is that the teams that were interested in him wanted to play him at 2nd. The Mets gained a negotiating edge by promising him short.

DVauthrin · « **Reply #30 on:** November 20, 2007, 02:47:53 pm »

Quote from: pravata on November 20, 2007, 01:47:41 pm

Me too. They're not putting him at short on a regular basis, no matter what, and unless Wigginton is injured, he's not playing 3rd for any length of time.

I think wade is just covering his butt if the 2b in the market are deemed too pricey. The old, we tried PR move.

I still think the astros are most likely to get iguchi. Of the competition, the brewers have weeks already, angels kendrick(though he may go in a cabrera deal which would change this whole dynamic), and the padres have petco working against them. Then it's down to colorado, houston and maybe the white sox. Colorado isn't going to spend a lot in the free agent market, especially when they are trying to lock up holliday(a boras client) long term.

The white sox are a threat, but not a major one unless they can dump juan uribe's salary plus they like richar.

DVauthrin · « **Reply #31 on:** November 20, 2007, 02:49:59 pm »

Brocail, 40, told Houston television station KRIV that he would like to rejoin the Astros, a team he last pitched for in 1996, and that his agent, Barry Meister, had been pursuing that possibility on his behalf.

"I would like to be an Astro and pitch here in Houston," Brocail told KRIV. "It's still my home. They know that. We're trying to get there."

Randy Watson · « **Reply #32 on:** November 20, 2007, 04:41:23 pm »

I would not mind getting Brocail back. He can help as a pitcher and a mentor. I've been on a couple hunting trips with him -- he is a great guy.

Blum has been pretty terrible the last couple years -- hope he rebounds.

HudsonHawk · « **Reply #33 on:** November 20, 2007, 06:01:18 pm »

Quote from: Randy Watson on November 20, 2007, 04:41:23 pm

Blum has been pretty terrible the last couple years -- hope he rebounds.

Rebounds to what? Where he was 7 years ago in his prime? Unlikely. And he hasn't been terrible, he's been Geoff Blum. No, he's not a superstar, nor even a starter, but then again, if he hit .300/.400/.500, he wouldn't be a backup utility guy, now would he? He's a good guy to have on the bench.

TheWizard · « **Reply #34 on:** November 20, 2007, 06:37:57 pm »

Quote from: Jacksonian on November 20, 2007, 01:45:21 pm

I read it as, "When Burke starts sucking, we're covered."

Fixed that for you.