First, from the blog:
1. Berkman is improving, says he is "100 percent" to play another exhibition this week. Should be ready to go opening day.
2. Coop gushing about Santangelo, without prompting, especially his skills as a receiver. Footer says "It sure is getting interesting around here." Is there a chance they would keep Santangelo over Q?
Prior to Santangelo being pinged for steroid use, he was the catcher that was supposed to be moving up the ladder and not Towles. Santangelo's strength has always been play calling and defense, including having a gun behind the plate. I don't know why Towles really was seen as the heir apparent, when in reality the guy who was closer to MLB ready as at the very least a backup was Santangelo. Now as far as Quintero is concerned, his falling out with the Astros has always been his own stubborness to adapt to being a pitcher's catcher. He made strides last year and really, had he not accepted his assignment to the minor leagues, he'd be with another organization right now. Can a scenario with Santangelo as backup be a reality around here? I doubt it because Pudge should not be counted as an everyday catcher, unless the Astros have seen enough of Pudge to say "Heck, why not? Look at him, he's in great shape and Oswalt doesn't mind throwing to him and he's handled the other pitchers well too." An endorsement by the starters is key to being an everyday catcher and Pudge just may of done enough to get said endorsement.
From her 1560 interview:
1. Bullpen is set. Only possibility is that they deal a reliever for a 3b and keep Arias in that place.
From what I understand, Arias has opened quite a few eyes on the club and has forced them to really struggle with sending him down.
2. She's heard "some people talking" about sending down Bourn, keeping Abercrombie, and having Erstad/Michaels platoon in CF, but doesn't consider that likely.
On the Astros? That would be shocking and if Ed Wade allowed that without giving Bourn at least one more chance to prove his worth, then someone other than WadeSmith and Cooper is running this outfit and that would be sad. BTW - where would you hit Erstad if you had him starting in CF? Choose wisely because you'd have to consider that if Houston has no option for 3rd base, then they will use the #8 spot for said less than palatable option. A 3rd baseman hitting 8? WOW!
3. She seemed to think Smith has the inside track on the backup INF job. Says Maysonett's recent injuries are really setting him back in the battle to make the team.
If Blum is moved to backup infielder (shortstop, 2nd, 3rd base) because they acquired a 3rd baseman via trade, then the likelihood of *both* Maysonet and Smith making the team is nil. So a choice of Smith over Maysonet probably comes down to veteran sitting the bench over young guy sitting the bench. All one has to do to encourage Maysonet is say two words "Cheito Cruz". Smith may become the next Cheito all things considered.
BTW - all the talk about Chris Johnson playing full time was somewhat puzzling because you had to think no one really believed it would be a good idea to recreate the Towles experiment this year. Teams that know Houston needs a third base option are probably going to ask for too much (as is the case with Colorado). I'm sure Ed Wade is working the phones hard to get something done, even might overpay to do so. Stay tuned.
