Buster Olney quote

[Jose Cruz III]

in his www.espn.com story.

15. The Astros continue to trade for depth. If they get 50 wins this season, Bo Porter should be a manager of the year candidate; their highest-paid player makes $1.2 million.

I think Porter has done a decent job considering what he has to work with. What say ye? I will hang up and listen.

[NeilT]

in his www.espn.com story.

I think Porter has done a decent job considering what he has to work with. What say ye? I will hang up and listen.

It's hard to tell.  I can't think of many games this season that I thought were lost by his decisions.  I'm sure there were some: I mean after all, he has continued to use the bullpen.  But when you've got such a large sample size, there were probably games lost because of things Mr. Happy said in the GameZone.

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

It's hard to tell.  I can't think of many games this season that I thought were lost by his decisions.  I'm sure there were some: I mean after all, he has continued to use the bullpen.  But when you've got such a large sample size, there were probably games lost because of things Mr. Happy said in the GameZone.

Not sure you can pin the bullpen stuff on Porter.  Sure, he's continued to use Ambriz and Wright, but who else is out there?  Stretch Suba?

[jbm]

His use of the pen is near impossible to judge, seeing how he has nothing there.

Before the year started, Porter talked about his goal of playing sound, fundamental baseball and generally being a team that wouldn't beat itself.  I don't see enough games to really know, but I don't get the sense anyone describes the current club as a "sound, fundamental team that doesn't beat itself."  That being said, it must be a tough job trying to keep players focused with virtually no veterans around, losses mounting daily and a front office seemingly unconcerned with present success.

[Limey]

His use of the pen is near impossible to judge, seeing how he has nothing there.

Before the year started, Porter talked about his goal of playing sound, fundamental baseball and generally being a team that wouldn't beat itself.  I don't see enough games to really know, but I don't get the sense anyone describes the current club as a "sound, fundamental team that doesn't beat itself."  That being said, it must be a tough job trying to keep players focused with virtually no veterans around, losses mounting daily and a front office seemingly unconcerned with present success.

Hopefully they at least pick up balls during BP.

[Waldo]

Not sure you can pin the bullpen stuff on Porter.

I thought Neil's bullpen comment was intended to be sarcastic.

[NeilT]

I thought Neil's bullpen comment was intended to be sarcastic.

Yeah, or despairing.  End of the day, our 'stros can lose games in so many ways it's hard to blame Porter.

[geezerdonk]

Like who could even know that.

[juliogotay]

His use of the pen is near impossible to judge, seeing how he has nothing there.

Before the year started, Porter talked about his goal of playing sound, fundamental baseball and generally being a team that wouldn't beat itself.  I don't see enough games to really know, but I don't get the sense anyone describes the current club as a "sound, fundamental team that doesn't beat itself."  That being said, it must be a tough job trying to keep players focused with virtually no veterans around, losses mounting daily and a front office seemingly unconcerned with present success.

The Astros lead the MLs in losing runners on the basepaths this year...75 the last I heard. That incls. runners caught stealing, picke-off or just out trying to take an extra base. Aggressiveness is one thing but this probably isn't a category you want to lead in.

[Limey]

The Astros lead the MLs in losing runners on the basepaths this year...75 the last I heard. That incls. runners caught stealing, picke-off or just out trying to take an extra base. Aggressiveness is one thing but this probably isn't a category you want to lead in.

I imagine a lot of that comes from the desperation of almost always being in a losing position, and trying to make something happen.

[Reuben]

The Astros lead the MLs in losing runners on the basepaths this year...75 the last I heard. That incls. runners caught stealing, picke-off or just out trying to take an extra base. Aggressiveness is one thing but this probably isn't a category you want to lead in.

Well you're bound to make some outs on the bases when you've got the huge number of baserunners day-in and day-out that the Astros do.. oh, wait.

[juliogotay]

I wish I knew how many of the Astros runs this year are attributed to HRs. It seems like an inordinate amount. Like last night. That has to change. This team just can't put together rallys very often and I'm sure the SO rate is a great deal of that.

[Jacksonian]

I wish I knew how many of the Astros runs this year are attributed to HRs. It seems like an inordinate amount. Like last night. That has to change. This team just can't put together rallys very often and I'm sure the SO rate is a great deal of that.

105 HR.  408 R.

ETA: 14 of 15 in runs scored.  10 of 15 in home runs.

[NeilT]

105 HR.  408 R.

ETA: 14 of 15 in runs scored.  10 of 15 in home runs.

For a slight difference in perspective, Boston leads MLB w/ 553 runs, and has 113 HR.  Boston's team avg. is .273, Houston's .236.  It's hard to make things happen on the basepaths when the ball's not put in play.

[Jacksonian]

For a slight difference in perspective, Boston leads MLB w/ 553 runs, and has 113 HR.  Boston's team avg. is .273, Houston's .236.  It's hard to make things happen on the basepaths when the ball's not put in play.

.236 is 15 of 15.

[Navin R Johnson]

Next years payroll is currently around 10 million.  Luhnow should have at least 30 million to go add some MLB caliber players to the roster next year.  I hope they spend a good chunk on the bullpen. 

[Jacksonian]

Luhnow should have at least 30 million to go add some MLB caliber players to the roster next year. 

Assuming any of them want to be on that team next year of course.

[NeilT]

Assuming any of them want to be on that team next year of course.

I would think that would be a real problem.  You're coming onto a team with a future that's 5 years younger than you are, that will frankly be lucky to break .400, and that will probably try to trade you at the trade deadline.  That can't be very appealing to any veteran with value.

[jaklewein]

I really don't see any potential FAgents worth signing next year anyhow short of maybe bringing in a pitcher or two to help in the bully. 

[MusicMan]

I really don't see any potential FAgents worth signing next year anyhow short of maybe bringing in a pitcher or two to help in the bully. 

I'd be ALL in favor of that.

[geezerdonk]

To paraphrase Woody Allen, the Astros wouldn't want any free agent that was willing to sign with them.

[Ron Brand]

...who was paraphrasing Groucho Marx. Who may have been saying S.J. Perelman's line.

[Navin R Johnson]

Sign several guys of the Jose Veras Brandon Lyon ilk.  Even if you have to over pay by 30-50% you aren't talking much money or any sort of crippling long term obligation.  Or trade a couple lower level prospects like they did to acquire someone like a Lindstrom.   If they bomb out, oh well.  If the do well you have pieces to move at the deadline and the team wins more games.

I'm not sure what other type of FA's they are going to be able to land, considering the current makeup of the team.

[juliogotay]

Sign several guys of the Jose Veras Brandon Lyon ilk.  Even if you have to over pay by 30-50% you aren't talking much money or any sort of crippling long term obligation.  Or trade a couple lower level prospects like they did to acquire someone like a Lindstrom.   If they bomb out, oh well.  If the do well you have pieces to move at the deadline and the team wins more games.

I'm not sure what other type of FA's they are going to be able to land, considering the current makeup of the team.

Ranchers, I tell you. Target the FA ranchers.

[geezerdonk]

And tout the buffet - always a strong drawing card.

[Reuben]

A quick look at next year's potential roster, to get an idea of where they could add through Free Agency.

OF: Springer, Barnes, Hoes, Grossman, maybe Carter. I think it's fair to say they will want to prioritize giving ABs to all of these guys except for maybe Barnes. Krauss and Austin Wates (if he ever comes off the AAA DL) are possibilities as well.

IF: Dominguez/Villar/Altuve are presumably set, and 1B/DH will be some combination of Wallace, Carter, and Singleton. Don't see any room for a FA unless they give up on Dominguez, but why, and what FA 3B would you want anyway?

C: Castro, with Corporan and maybe Carlos Perez or Rene Garcia in the mix.

SP: Lyles and Cosart may be the only near-locks at this point, but Keuchel, Peacock, and Wojo are all strong contenders, and you've got the potential for Appel and Folty being ready to come up during the season. I guess they could add a Bedard-type FA for a veteran presence/inning eater/deadline trade bait. Can't have too much starting pitching.

RP: Cisnero and Fields will probably earn spots, and... um. Yeah, the 'pen is wide open for FA opportunities. Hopefully someone from among Lo, Zeid, Clemens etc. emerges as another decent option before 2013 is over.

[juliogotay]

A quick look at next year's potential roster, to get an idea of where they could add through Free Agency.

OF: Springer, Barnes, Hoes, Grossman, maybe Carter. I think it's fair to say they will want to prioritize giving ABs to all of these guys except for maybe Barnes. Krauss and Austin Wates (if he ever comes off the AAA DL) are possibilities as well.

IF: Dominguez/Villar/Altuve are presumably set, and 1B/DH will be some combination of Wallace, Carter, and Singleton. Don't see any room for a FA unless they give up on Dominguez, but why, and what FA 3B would you want anyway?

C: Castro, with Corporan and maybe Carlos Perez or Rene Garcia in the mix.

SP: Lyles and Cosart may be the only near-locks at this point, but Keuchel, Peacock, and Wojo are all strong contenders, and you've got the potential for Appel and Folty being ready to come up during the season. I guess they could add a Bedard-type FA for a veteran presence/inning eater/deadline trade bait. Can't have too much starting pitching.

RP: Cisnero and Fields will probably earn spots, and... um. Yeah, the 'pen is wide open for FA opportunities. Hopefully someone from among Lo, Zeid, Clemens etc. emerges as another decent option before 2013 is over.

You omitted J.D. Martinez. Intentional or omission?  I bet Corporan is traded in off-season. He has some value based on this season. Also Oberholtzer for rotation. We need to see more based on the first performance.

[NeilT]

Giving up on Harrell?

[austro]

Giving up on Harrell?

Yes.

[NeilT]

And tout the buffet - always a strong drawing card.

Is it by Aramark?

[Limey]

IF: Dominguez/Villar/Altuve are presumably set, and 1B/DH will be some combination of Wallace, Carter, and Singleton. Don't see any room for a FA unless they give up on Dominguez, but why, and what FA 3B would you want anyway?

A-Rod may be looking for a gig.

[NeilT]

A-Rod may be looking for a gig.

I think he'd make a good car salesman.

[Jacksonian]

I think he'd make a good car salesman.

He'd make an interesting piss boy.

[Limey]

He'd make an interesting piss boy.

Pamela Stephenson - I'd forgotten about her.

[BudGirl]

I don't think Folty makes the rotation out of spring training. 

[Reuben]

I don't think Folty makes the rotation out of spring training. 

Not sure if this was in response to my post, but neither do I - "you've got the potential for Appel and Folty being ready to come up during the season".

[Reuben]

You omitted J.D. Martinez. Intentional or omission?  I bet Corporan is traded in off-season. He has some value based on this season. Also Oberholtzer for rotation. We need to see more based on the first performance.

Intentional. I just don't see him ever hitting enough, and you've got guys who can at least cover some ground in the outfield while they're providing below-average offense (Grossman, Barnes, Hoes, though of course the hope is one or two of them will blossom as hitters).

Harrell, yeah, it's hard to see him on the team next year. I still think it'd be interesting, or entertaining at least, to try him as closer.

[NeilT]

Harrell, yeah, it's hard to see him on the team next year. I still think it'd be interesting, or entertaining at least, to try him as closer.

He just needs to trust his stuff.

[austro]

Harrell, yeah, it's hard to see him on the team next year. I still think it'd be interesting, or entertaining at least, to try him as closer.

I don't think he brings enough to the table to justify what appears to be a toxic attitude. I think they're going to be careful with the locker room makeup.

[jbm]

He'll drop off the roster, just as most of the other other-team discards have.

[NeilT]

I don't think he brings enough to the table to justify what appears to be a toxic attitude. I think they're going to be careful with the locker room makeup.

Harrell pitched well last year, this year he hasn't. He may be hurt. He may be a head case. He may also be a young guy who could be brought back on track. Seems to me that's part of what management signed up for when they blew up the team, and if they're going to write off every 23 year old who says something stupid out of frustration the farm system's not big enough.

[austro]

Harrell pitched well last year, this year he hasn't. He may be hurt. He may be a head case. He may also be a young guy who could be brought back on track. Seems to me that's part of what management signed up for when they blew up the team, and if they're going to write off every 23 year old who says something stupid out of frustration the farm system's not big enough.

I don't think it's just that he says stupid things, although he does. I'm concerned about the way he seems to fall apart when things go against him out on the mound, and then tries to pawn it off on others later. Maybe he's another Schilling that needs to get scared straight.

[Reuben]

I don't think it's just that he says stupid things, although he does. I'm concerned about the way he seems to fall apart when things go against him out on the mound, and then tries to pawn it off on others later. Maybe he's another Schilling that needs to get scared straight.

He's also 28, not 23. Not that a 28-year-old can't still grow up some, but he's less likely to.

[NeilT]

He's also 28, not 23. Not that a 28-year-old can't still grow up some, but he's less likely to.

Yeah, he's older than I thought.  By 28 I was never stupid.

[BudGirl]

Not sure if this was in response to my post, but neither do I - "you've got the potential for Appel and Folty being ready to come up during the season".

It was and it seems like some think he's going to be ready for Houston in April.  He may be but what I saw Tuesday still seemed a little raw.  Exciting and hopeful though.

[juliogotay]

It was and it seems like some think he's going to be ready for Houston in April.  He may be but what I saw Tuesday still seemed a little raw.  Exciting and hopeful though.

He can use some AAA seasoning first. I think you're right.

[jaklewein]

He can use some AAA seasoning first. I think you're right.

I'm hoping they sign another Bedard/Humber type in the off season. If said pickup is washed up you cut bait early like they did with Humber. If not, you hold on or trade him.