Author Topic: Starting Pitching  (Read 7264 times)

Emo Oranges

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Starting Pitching
« on: November 10, 2008, 01:51:00 pm »
Forgive me, gang, I've been away for the last few weeks of the season with a lot of work stuff that has kept me away from talking Astros baseball.  I'm a bit out of the loop, so I was hoping you might be able to help me out with some opinions/info.

What avenues in starting pitching would you like to see explored over the next couple of months? 

I know that the Astros are pretty much out of the Peavy "sweepstakes."  I think it is a smart move to avoid making this kind of deal.  As much as I'd like to have Peavy on the team it would be tough to part with what little minor league talent we have left. 

The Cardinals have reached a roadblock with Toronto and Halladay.  Is this the same situation as Peavy and the Padres or would this be an option?

Or perhaps Pettitte?

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Re: Starting Pitching
« Reply #1 on: November 10, 2008, 02:06:33 pm »
Forgive me, gang, I've been away for the last few weeks of the season with a lot of work stuff that has kept me away from talking Astros baseball.  I'm a bit out of the loop, so I was hoping you might be able to help me out with some opinions/info.

What avenues in starting pitching would you like to see explored over the next couple of months? 

I know that the Astros are pretty much out of the Peavy "sweepstakes."  I think it is a smart move to avoid making this kind of deal.  As much as I'd like to have Peavy on the team it would be tough to part with what little minor league talent we have left. 

The Cardinals have reached a roadblock with Toronto and Halladay.  Is this the same situation as Peavy and the Padres or would this be an option?

Or perhaps Pettitte?

Wade wouldn't have much trouble parting with a little minor league talent if it netted him Peavy.  As for Pettitte, he wants to be a Yankee.  Also, fuck him.
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TheWizard

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Re: Starting Pitching
« Reply #2 on: November 12, 2008, 01:28:05 am »
Pettitte can still pitch, IMO, but I have a hard time seeing him coming back to Houston.
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legs_of_eggs

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Re: Starting Pitching
« Reply #3 on: November 12, 2008, 01:33:34 am »
Wade has made it clear the roster as currently constructed is too expensive considering arbitration raises.  The chances of adding any quality starting pitching in free agency is slim to none if Randy Wolf isn't resigned. Especially if they plan to make a play for a catcher in free agency.  Another scenario would be a trade of one of the big leaguers who isn't a centerpiece (Wigginton, Matsui, Wright, Wandy) for pitching.

Mr. Happy

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Re: Starting Pitching
« Reply #4 on: November 12, 2008, 12:27:14 pm »
Pettitte can still pitch, IMO, but I have a hard time seeing him coming back to Houston.

Pettitte looked pretty worn down during the second half. He was extremely hittable. I wouldn't spend a dime on him right now. If the Yankees want to do so, I say let them be stupid.
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MusicMan

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Re: Starting Pitching
« Reply #5 on: November 12, 2008, 01:52:38 pm »
As for Pettitte, he wants to be a Yankee.  Also, fuck him.

I have no desire to cross swords with the Rocket.
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Re: Starting Pitching
« Reply #6 on: November 12, 2008, 07:07:31 pm »
Pettitte can still pitch, IMO, but I have a hard time seeing him coming back to Houston.

Could be a totally different matter, but I met with an Astros contract lawyer today who was about to catch a flight to New York to possibly sign a player. Couldn't pry a name out of him, but I had heard the Pettitte rumor as well...
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HudsonHawk

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Re: Starting Pitching
« Reply #7 on: November 12, 2008, 07:14:23 pm »
Could be a totally different matter, but I met with an Astros contract lawyer today who was about to catch a flight to New York to possibly sign a player. Couldn't pry a name out of him, but I had heard the Pettitte rumor as well...


If said player is in NY, I doubt it's Pettitte.  Both Pettitte and his agent live in Houston.  I don't know why'd they'd fly to NY to negotiate.  FWIW, my sources do not mention Pettitte.
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Re: Starting Pitching
« Reply #8 on: November 12, 2008, 07:37:24 pm »
Could be a totally different matter, but I met with an Astros contract lawyer today who was about to catch a flight to New York to possibly sign a player. Couldn't pry a name out of him, but I had heard the Pettitte rumor as well...

I don't think clubs can negotiate with other teams free agents until after after Thursday in any event.
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Russe

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Re: Starting Pitching
« Reply #9 on: November 12, 2008, 07:43:50 pm »
Randy Wolf's agent, Arn Tellum/Wasserman Media, has an office in NYC...

Gizzmonic

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Re: Starting Pitching
« Reply #10 on: November 13, 2008, 03:07:05 pm »
I have no desire to cross swords with the Rocket.

Or to have his sloppy seconds, apparently
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Re: Starting Pitching
« Reply #11 on: November 13, 2008, 03:19:37 pm »
The Big Unit has filed for free agency--what would you offer, if at all?
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Re: Starting Pitching
« Reply #12 on: November 13, 2008, 03:39:17 pm »
The Big Unit has filed for free agency--what would you offer, if at all?

As a fan, I'd certainly like watching him again.  Looks like he's a #3 now?  30 games, ~6 innings, 4:1 K:BB
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Re: Starting Pitching
« Reply #13 on: November 13, 2008, 03:39:54 pm »
The Big Unit has filed for free agency--what would you offer, if at all?

A coupon for the early bird special at Luby's?
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Re: Starting Pitching
« Reply #14 on: November 13, 2008, 03:43:26 pm »
The Big Unit has filed for free agency--what would you offer, if at all?

I'd consider a one year deal for no. 3 money.
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GreatBagwellsBeard

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Re: Starting Pitching
« Reply #15 on: November 13, 2008, 04:16:39 pm »
The Big Unit has filed for free agency--what would you offer, if at all?

A shave and a haircut.  Maybe two bits.
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Re: Starting Pitching
« Reply #16 on: November 14, 2008, 10:48:38 am »
With the fire sale the Marlins are having you gotta wonder if we could put a package together to pick up a Rickey Nolasco or a Josh Johnson.   They've already dealt Olsen, Willingham and Jacobs.   Not sure if Nolasco/Johnson are arbitration eligible.   That seems to be the tipping point with the Marlins looking to deal these guys
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Astroholic

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Re: Starting Pitching
« Reply #17 on: November 14, 2008, 11:24:12 am »
With the fire sale the Marlins are having

Not worries, they will win the WS in three to five years.  All within the plan.

Lurch

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Re: Starting Pitching
« Reply #18 on: November 16, 2008, 09:04:34 pm »
The Big Unit has filed for free agency--what would you offer, if at all?

This would suck.
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BUWebguy

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Re: Starting Pitching
« Reply #19 on: November 20, 2008, 03:09:15 pm »
Jayson Stark says the Astros could be in on Paul Byrd or even Pedro Martinez. Hadn't seen those names mentioned around here:
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/print?id=3714589&type=story
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austro

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Re: Starting Pitching
« Reply #20 on: November 20, 2008, 03:16:04 pm »
Jayson Stark says the Astros could be in on Paul Byrd or even Pedro Martinez. Hadn't seen those names mentioned around here:
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/print?id=3714589&type=story

Byrd? Maybe. Pedro? I sure hope not.
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Re: Starting Pitching
« Reply #21 on: November 20, 2008, 03:28:22 pm »
Byrd? Maybe. Pedro? I sure hope not.

Pedro's done. His fastball isn't there anymore to set up the bending stuff, and his bending stuff has been hanging up there for awhile.
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Bench

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Re: Starting Pitching
« Reply #22 on: November 20, 2008, 03:52:14 pm »
Pedro's done. His fastball isn't there anymore to set up the bending stuff, and his bending stuff has been hanging up there for awhile.

Pedro might be done but I'd still go watch him and be happy if he were on the Astros.
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MRaup

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Re: Starting Pitching
« Reply #23 on: November 20, 2008, 03:53:36 pm »
Pedro might be done but I'd still go watch him and be happy if he were on the Astros.

Put me on the other side of that thought.

I'd rather go find the Junior High that Pete Munro is teaching at than watch Pedro's whiny ass pitch for the Astros.
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Re: Starting Pitching
« Reply #24 on: November 20, 2008, 05:10:10 pm »
If we get Byrd and Pettitte, we'll field an HGH all-star squad.
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MRaup

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Re: Starting Pitching
« Reply #25 on: November 20, 2008, 05:22:57 pm »
If we get Byrd and Pettitte, we'll field an HGH all-star squad.

Clemens might or might not be next!
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JackAstro

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Re: Starting Pitching
« Reply #26 on: November 20, 2008, 08:07:09 pm »
Clemens might or might not be next!

Who, Debbie? Can she throw a knuckler?
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Lurch

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Re: Starting Pitching
« Reply #27 on: November 20, 2008, 08:37:26 pm »
Who, Debbie? Can she throw a knuckler?

Of course! How else could she compete with Andy?
« Last Edit: November 20, 2008, 08:39:25 pm by Lurch »
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SaltyParker

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Re: Starting Pitching
« Reply #28 on: November 21, 2008, 05:00:23 am »
Who, Debbie? Can she throw a knuckler?
My son and I went to an UT alumni game a few years back when Clements was with the Stros, and Debbie threw out the ceremonial first pitch in Roger's absence. She burned a strike right in there. Very impressive.

MusicMan

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Re: Starting Pitching
« Reply #29 on: November 21, 2008, 09:28:06 am »
Was it... bedazzling?
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Re: Starting Pitching
« Reply #30 on: November 21, 2008, 09:29:46 am »
My son and I went to an UT alumni game a few years back when Clements was with the Stros, and Debbie threw out the ceremonial first pitch in Roger's absence. She burned a strike right in there. Very impressive.

that's pretty funny considering the alleged dustup between DQ and Augie over Debbie.
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Re: Starting Pitching
« Reply #31 on: November 21, 2008, 09:43:54 am »
My son and I went to an UT alumni game a few years back when Clements was with the Stros, and Debbie threw out the ceremonial first pitch in Roger's absence. She burned a strike right in there. Very impressive.

Was she juicing during this time period?

Matt

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Re: Starting Pitching
« Reply #32 on: November 21, 2008, 11:53:48 am »
Who, Debbie? Can she throw a knuckler?
Maybe a moose knuckler.