DH really?

[pots]

So mlbtr has the Stros looking for a DH.   Don't they have a plethora of DH candidates in house?  Martinez, Martinez, Wallace/Singleton (they both can't play 1st).   Only reason I can think of for picking up a DH is to trade him away when Singleton gets the call.

Much rather have them look at pitching and more pitching.  Young pitching requires a real strong bullpen.  Like to see them spend about 15-20 million (more) on the pen alone.  Not saying mlbtr didn't say they weren't going for pitching.  But rather have another 5 million dollar arm in the pen then a aging 5 million dollar bat.

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

A...plethora?

[Ty in Tampa]

I would take that as meaning a player who has experience at DH. I don't believe plugging in an average position player and expecting them to hit is how they want to or should go about it.

[pots]

A...plethora?

Compared to folks that can actually play good defense.

[MusicMan]

A...plethora?

Yes, El Guapo.

[EasTexAstro]

I would take that as meaning a player who has experience at DH. I don't believe plugging in an average position player and expecting them to hit is how they want to or should go about it.

Don't a lot of these guys get experience at DH in the minor leagues? I know it isn't quite the same, but they have hit in those situations before.

[pots]

I would take that as meaning a player who has experience at DH. I don't believe plugging in an average position player and expecting them to hit is how they want to or should go about it.

Is not just about every DH a player that formerly played a position?  Given the fragile nature of the Martini, I'd wonder if they might actually hit better throughout the year without having the wear of running around the outfield.

[Ty in Tampa]

If the Astros had DH experienced and ready talent in the minors then I doubt they would be in the market for one. I've heard many stories of position players that aren't able to keep up their hitting success sitting on the bench for 2-3 innings between at-bats.

[hostros7]

Fuck, we actually have to talk about DHs and what makes a good one/what players would be a good fit for the role.  This is turrible. 

[Ty in Tampa]

Fuck, we actually have to talk about DHs and what makes a good one/what players would be a good fit for the role.  This is turrible. 

Reality, dammit. But why should they go about filling the one position advantage they gain with just any player they already have and that they've never used in the role?

[roadrunner]

Is not just about every DH a player that formerly played a position?  Given the fragile nature of the Martini, I'd wonder if they might actually hit better throughout the year without having the wear of running around the outfield.

Which Martinez are you talking about?  I think both require backup plans (or better plans) considering both sucked for long periods of time last season.

[Limey]

A...plethora?

A...Rod.

[pots]

Which Martinez are you talking about?  I think both require backup plans (or better plans) considering both sucked for long periods of time last season.

Either one.  Both played through injuries this year.  Both aren't good defensively when healthy.  The Stros are a rebuilding club.  Might be better to know if either can handle the DH job rather than sticking an aging veteran in there.  I'm assuming that at this point if there still taking a spot on the 40 man then the team still has hopes with them.  Backup plan could be Wallace if both can't handle the job.  Assuming Singleton is ready by July.  You also have Greene who could see some time at DH. 

[Andyzipp]

Obviously the cost has to be right, but I'd really like to see someone who drives in runs.  And I'm perfectly aware that RBIs are a situational, team generatedblahblahblah.  Some players are MUCH better at it than others.

[jbm]

The point about spending on the pen rather than the DH makes a lot of sense.  I've already forgot the last season, but beyond WW and Lopez, who is a for-sure keeper?

[pots]

The point about spending on the pen rather than the DH makes a lot of sense.  I've already forgot the last season, but beyond WW and Lopez, who is a for-sure keeper?

I'd like to see Storey back, but that's it.

[Ty in Tampa]

I'm all for spending on the bullpen. I just don't think DH could just be somebody they already have.

[pots]

I'm assuming that at this point if there still taking a spot on the 40 man then the team still has hopes with them.  

Going to take this back.  Bogusevic is still on the 40 man.  596 OPS over 355 at bats.  Insane to think he is still involved in the plans

ETA:
This kind of sums it up for the outfield:
"It's more about offensive output than the precise position," Luhnow said. "If you look around our infield and outfield, we could add someone in the outfield, but we have Maxwell, [J.D.] Martinez, [Fernando] Martinez and other guys like [Brandon] Barnes. We've got plenty of players in our system that are going to be competing for spots, but we could throw a run-producer in the mix."
http://houston.astros.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20121027&content_id=40084820&vkey=news_hou&c_id=hou

No mention of Bogusevic or Schreefer.  

[Reuben]

Obviously the cost has to be right, but I'd really like to see someone who drives in runs.  And I'm perfectly aware that RBIs are a situational, team generatedblahblahblah.  Some players are MUCH better at it than others.

As would I, but I'm thinking more along the lines of someone who can also capably play RF or LF. Who are the guys with the team now who can capably play the OF and hit a little bit? Maxwell and... that's it. If they're going to spend a little cash on a "run-producer" (and it sounds like they plan to) I'd rather they at the same time get someone who can play OF worth a shit. Let the Martinezes and Scott Moore or whoever try to learn how to DH. I'd much prefer that to watching them shuffle around the OF all year.

[Bench]

Obviously the cost has to be right, but I'd really like to see someone who drives in runs.  And I'm perfectly aware that RBIs are a situational, team generatedblahblahblah.  Some players are MUCH better at it than others.

Yes, I too think it would be great to get a hitter who can get the batters in front of him on base and preferably in scoring position a lot when it's his turn to bat. 

In all seriousness though, I think you just described Carlos Lee to a tee. 

[Ebby Calvin]

In all seriousness though, I think you just described Carlos Lee to a tee. 

That's what I thought, too.

[pots]

In all seriousness though, I think you just described Carlos Lee to a tee. 

Well, if Lee is the perfect DH fit then it proves that a DH will have very little value as far asw wins is concerned.

[Navin R Johnson]

They just declined Snyder's option.   I see they have 5 guys that are arbitration eligible, with only 1 making over million dollars last year, Lowrie (1.15 mil).   

according to this.  https://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=tmxTtDiWidNuZUZLxaZIu5Q&output=html

The Astros dont have a single player on a multi year contract.  Simply 5 arbitration guys, and the rest of the team is under club control.  Then they still owe Wandy 5 million and Snyder 500K.

Surely there is enough money in the budget to sign a DH, plus a couple bullpen arms, right?  Of course convincing guys to come play here, who have other options might take some sorcery.

[Reuben]

They just declined Snyder's option.   I see they have 5 guys that are arbitration eligible, with only 1 making over million dollars last year, Lowrie (1.15 mil).   

according to this.  https://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=tmxTtDiWidNuZUZLxaZIu5Q&output=html

The Astros dont have a single player on a multi year contract.  Simply 5 arbitration guys, and the rest of the team is under club control.  Then they still owe Wandy 5 million and Snyder 500K.

Surely there is enough money in the budget to sign a DH, plus a couple bullpen arms, right?  Of course convincing guys to come play here, who have other options might take some sorcery.

$orcery.

[Navin R Johnson]

If $orcery is in the budget....

[Jacksonian]

Going to take this back.  Bogusevic is still on the 40 man.  596 OPS over 355 at bats.  Insane to think he is still involved in the plans

ETA:
This kind of sums it up for the outfield:
"It's more about offensive output than the precise position," Luhnow said. "If you look around our infield and outfield, we could add someone in the outfield, but we have Maxwell, [J.D.] Martinez, [Fernando] Martinez and other guys like [Brandon] Barnes. We've got plenty of players in our system that are going to be competing for spots, but we could throw a run-producer in the mix."
http://houston.astros.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20121027&content_id=40084820&vkey=news_hou&c_id=hou

No mention of Bogusevic or Schreefer.  

It didn't occur to me until just now that he didn't mention Paredes.

[Reuben]

It didn't occur to me until just now that he didn't mention Paredes.

Good point. Back in August or September, I was envisioning Paredes as a likely 2013 CF candidate. But that was before seeing him play the OF.