Paulino

[BudGirl]

Bad luck, bad defense or bad pitching?

[jonbloozy]

Rustiness?

[JaneDoe]

Bad luck, bad defense or bad pitching?

I assume you mean tonight's game?  Had no velocity on the FB per the announcers.

[BudGirl]

Yeah, I meant tonight's game.  A friend called before the game and said that Cooper told McTaggert that if Paulino has a bad outing he wouldn't make the team.  So, I was just wondering if it was him or something else.

[JaneDoe]

Yeah, I meant tonight's game.  A friend called before the game and said that Cooper told McTaggert that if Paulino has a bad outing he wouldn't make the team.  So, I was just wondering if it was him or something else.

From what I gathered from the announcers, it was him.  There were no bad defensive plays that I recall.  (I was cooking supper and listening to the game)  He was just giving up hits, they were tatooing the ball.

[jonbloozy]

Yeah, I meant tonight's game.  A friend called before the game and said that Cooper told McTaggert that if Paulino has a bad outing he wouldn't make the team.  So, I was just wondering if it was him or something else.

Did you listen to the game?

[BudGirl]

No, i'm not listening to the game.  That is why I asked.

[SaltyParker]

  if Paulino has a bad outing he wouldn't make the team. 

Time to go.

[moriartp]

Had no velocity on the FB per the announcers.

Not a good sign.

[JaneDoe]

Not a good sign.

They said he was only hitting 90-93.  Lower than his norm.

[MikeyBoy]

A friend called before the game and said that Cooper told McTaggert that if Paulino has a bad outing he wouldn't make the team. 

I see Coop's in mid-season form.

[pravata]

McTaggart heard
"We have to figure out what the deal is," manager Cecil Cooper said. "It looked like he had no feel for pitching and then he overthrew. His command was not very good, and he's got to work on that if he wants to make our team."

Footer heard
"Not very good. He seems to have no feel for pitching. A couple of breaking balls were good, but it did'nt look like he had a good feel. His command was not very good."

those are from their blogs.

[Jacksonian]

McTaggart heard
"We have to figure out what the deal is," manager Cecil Cooper said. "It looked like he had no feel for pitching and then he overthrew. His command was not very good, and he's got to work on that if he wants to make our team."

Footer heard
"Not very good. He seems to have no feel for pitching. A couple of breaking balls were good, but it did'nt look like he had a good feel. His command was not very good."

those are from their blogs.

IMO, based on what I know about how they handle their prospects in the winter, Paulino not pitching competitively at all in Ven was a bad omen.

[Reuben]

IMO, based on what I know about how they handle their prospects in the winter, Paulino not pitching competitively at all in Ven was a bad omen.

"they"= Astros org? or Venezuelan teams? I'm not sure I understand either way. Paulino didn't pitch because the Astros only wanted him to work in relief, while his VWL team wanted him to start, correct?

[homer]

Bad/terrible pitching. Up in the zone, or out of the zone.

[chuck]

No command whatsoever.

[VirtualBob]

"they"= Astros org? or Venezuelan teams? I'm not sure I understand either way. Paulino didn't pitch because the Astros only wanted him to work in relief, while his VWL team wanted him to start, correct?

He did not pitch in Ven because "they(the ven team)" wanted to use him as a starter and "they(the Astros)" said "no".  So he just sat.  Apparently the Astors dod not want him to put that much pressure on the arm when he was out of their control.

[Jacksonian]

"they"= Astros org? or Venezuelan teams? I'm not sure I understand either way. Paulino didn't pitch because the Astros only wanted him to work in relief, while his VWL team wanted him to start, correct?

They = Astros.

I know what the Astros said was the reason.

Look at the slop he's throwing up there now.  There was no way he was ready to throw competitively back in December either in relief or starting.

[Reuben]

He did not pitch in Ven because "they(the ven team)" wanted to use him as a starter and "they(the Astros)" said "no".  So he just sat.  Apparently the Astors dod not want him to put that much pressure on the arm when he was out of their control.

Seems understandable. Given that, and the fact that he missed all of last year, and has never pitched at AAA, frankly I was a little surprised that he was under consideration for the 5th starter gig right now in the first place ... Jacksonian I'm guessing you had a similar reaction?

[Jacksonian]

He did not pitch in Ven because "they(the ven team)" wanted to use him as a starter and "they(the Astros)" said "no".  So he just sat.  Apparently the Astors dod not want him to put that much pressure on the arm when he was out of their control.

He was throwing according to the Astros, just not for the Ven team.

[Jacksonian]

Seems understandable. Given that, and the fact that he missed all of last year, and has never pitched at AAA, frankly I was a little surprised that he was under consideration for the 5th starter gig right now in the first place ...

I think Bennett and Wade knew privately Paulino had little chance.  His being under consideration, IMO, was more hope than realism.

I'm most surprised that the Astros still consider Paulino a starter over the long haul despite his history of injury.

[Travis]

What do you think about Jose Capellan's chances? (mostly in reference to Pravata's rotation article from the front page)

[pravata]

What do you think about Jose Capellan's chances? (mostly in reference to Pravata's rotation article from the front page)

Don't read anything into Cooper's quotes, he talked shit all of last season.  Say one thing one day and do the opposite the next.

[S.P. Rodriguez]

Don't read anything into Cooper's quotes, he talked shit all of last season.  Say one thing one day and do the opposite the next.

Makes me wonder how long before he's gone? 

[Mr. Happy]

Don't read anything into Cooper's quotes, he talked shit all of last season.  Say one thing one day and do the opposite the next.

I fear that Cooper makes it up as he goes along. I suspect that he won't finish the season as manager.

[Jacksonian]

Don't read anything into Cooper's quotes, he talked shit all of last season.  Say one thing one day and do the opposite the next.

Agreed.  I look at the bullpen last year.  Look at who's back.  It's clear to me there's only 1 spot open, and that is Sampson's.  I would not be surprised if Wade really wanted Nieve to step up and take that spot.

[pravata]

Makes me wonder how long before he's gone? 

I don't want to make a big deal, however his contract is up this season, and there's been no extension talk.  Footer wrote earlier,

How will Cooper fare in his second full season as manager?
This could be an interesting season for Cooper, who is going into the final year of his contract without an extension -- an unusual course of action for the Astros, who for at least the past decade have always extended their managers, even the ones who were dismissed the following year. Cooper recently admitted he feels much more relaxed going into this season, considering he's had time to settle in and the roster consists of many players who were here last year.

Prediction: Too hard to predict this one. It's difficult to envision Cooper's job being safe if the Astros are at the bottom of the standings by the All-Star break, especially since they appear to be in no hurry to offer a contract extension. Don't forget, Wade didn't hire Cooper.
http://74.125.47.132/search?q=cache:5mf9mQHCDJ8J:houston.astros.mlb.com/news/article.jsp%3Fymd%3D20090202%26content_id%3D3792974%26vkey%3Dnews_hou%26fext%3D.jsp%26c_id%3Dhou+cooper+wade+astros+extension&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us

[JimR]

I fear that Cooper makes it up as he goes along. I suspect that he won't finish the season as manager.

he is a tremendous disappointment to me. i think he's nuts.

[Ron Brand]

Well, let's go ahead and liet the cnadle on this one. Who's on deck?

[pravata]

What do you think about Jose Capellan's chances? (mostly in reference to Pravata's rotation article from the front page)

Dewey Robinson, who is typically not full of crap, says,

"He a big guy with a big-time arm... I've been very pleased with the way he attacks the hitter and commands his stuff."

this is from an article by Footer, she also reports,

Robinson sees right-handers Jose Capellan and Russ Ortiz, currently auditioning for starting jobs, pulling away from the pack.
Link

[juliogotay]

Agreed.  I look at the bullpen last year.  Look at who's back.  It's clear to me there's only 1 spot open, and that is Sampson's.  I would not be surprised if Wade really wanted Nieve to step up and take that spot.

I doubt Wade could care less who takes that last spot. He's very results-oriented and has shown no attachement to guys from the previous regime. I would like to see Nieve make the team just because I still believe in him and he's probably elsewhere if doesn't break camp as an Astro. He certainly is showing nothing to indicate he is going to make it. Very disappointing.

[Jacksonian]

I doubt Wade could care less who takes that last spot. He's very results-oriented and has shown no attachement to guys from the previous regime. I would like to see Nieve make the team just because I still believe in him and he's probably elsewhere if doesn't break camp as an Astro. He certainly is showing nothing to indicate he is going to make it. Very disappointing.

Making the team gives Wade more options as, I believe, Sampson has options.

[Reuben]

Making the team gives Wade more options as, I believe, Sampson has options.

why do you feel Sampson's spot is open? Is he projected to start the season on the DL? I thought he emerged as a very valuable middle guy last year.

[Jacksonian]

why do you feel Sampson's spot is open? Is he projected to start the season on the DL? I thought he emerged as a very valuable middle guy last year.

Valverde, Brocail, Hawkins, Geary, Wright, Byrdak.  The only question there is Brocail.  And that's only if he goes Shane Reynolds or is injured.  If there's a spot open, it's Sampson's.  IMO, he's the weakest of the bunch.  And, yes, his injury may be in play here.

[Wild Dog]

Valverde, Brocail, Hawkins, Geary, Wright, Byrdak.  The only question there is Brocail.  And that's only if he goes Shane Reynolds or is injured.  If there's a spot open, it's Sampson's.  IMO, he's the weakest of the bunch.  And, yes, his injury may be in play here.

Byrdak, I assume, because he is a LHP.  The results good for the most part last year but watching him, I got the impression that he was luckier than he was good.  Sampson got a lot of ground balls in critical situations but do you think it comes down to the fact that he doesn't throw left handed?

[chuck]

Arias has looked awesome so far. He missed some games due to a death in the family but I expect him to get plenty of opportunities to pitch between now and whenever they finalize what they're doing. He's been the most impressive reliever to date. He's thrown fewer innings than any other reliever, but keep an eye on him. He may be the right-handed Wesley Wright of 2009. He keeps the ball down, nothing he throws looks straight, he commands all his pitches - I'm excited.

[Jacksonian]

Byrdak, I assume, because he is a LHP.  The results good for the most part last year but watching him, I got the impression that he was luckier than he was good.  Sampson got a lot of ground balls in critical situations but do you think it comes down to the fact that he doesn't throw left handed?

I don't buy the luck angle.  When he's not wild, he gets people out.  .222 BA against last year and nearly a strike out an inning.

Personally I think Sampson is valuable as a long reliever.  I'm just not sure the Astros view him the same way.  When I said weakest, I meant in terms of how the Astros view the bullpen.  I wasn't clear enough there.

[Andyzipp]

The Astros carry 7 relievers, so isn't there room for Byrdak and Sampson?  If your other 5 are Valverde, Brocail, Hawkins, Geary and Wright...

[Jacksonian]

The Astros carry 7 relievers, so isn't there room for Byrdak and Sampson?  If your other 5 are Valverde, Brocail, Hawkins, Geary and Wright...

Yes.  We're discussing whether one of the seven will be replaced by another pitcher.

[Andyzipp]

Yes.  We're discussing whether one of the seven will be replaced by another pitcher.

Sometimes I miss the point.

[mrpink]

I doubt Wade could care less who takes that last spot. He's very results-oriented and has shown no attachement to guys from the previous regime. I would like to see Nieve make the team just because I still believe in him and he's probably elsewhere if doesn't break camp as an Astro. He certainly is showing nothing to indicate he is going to make it. Very disappointing.

"The Astros aren't just sitting on their hands. According to a major-league source, they placed right-hander Fernando Nieve on waivers this week, probably hoping to sneak him through unclaimed and outright him to the minors. Nieve, 26, throws 95 mph, and had a shot at the No. 5 spot in the Houston rotation, but has an 11.57 ERA this spring. Teams are wondering why the Astros are risking losing a live arm after putting in the effort to get him back from Tommy John surgery."http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/03/13/astros-grounded-so-far-this-spring/#cont