Springer Up

[Nate Colbert]

according to Mark Berman (via tweet):

MLB sources told FOX 26 Sports the Astros will call up outfielder George Springer tomorrow from Triple-A Oklahoma City

Evan Drellich also confirms via tweet.

Other roster moves, per JDJO tweet:

Robbie Grossman has been sent down to make room for Springer, and Lucas Harell will be designated for assignment, the Chronicle has learned

So I assume the latter means Clemens stays rather than heading back to OKC.

[Reuben]

Wha...?


Oh, I get it. You're just fuckin' with us. Good one.

[Navin R Johnson]

YES!  And I just happen to have tickets in the Insperity Club tomorrow.  I am actually more excited about the game now, than the free food.

[Navin R Johnson]

FWIW

@JeffPassan 7m
If Springer started year with Astros, would hit free agency in 2019. Two-week delay keeps him under team control until after 2020 season.

[Ron Brand]

And to make room, Grossman has been sent to OKC. Harrell has been designated for assignment.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

This news is exciting. If Singleton continues to pound, how long before he is brought up and Carter is designated for assignment?

[Mr. Happy]

This news is exciting. If Singleton continues to pound, how long before he is brought up and Carter is designated for assignment?

Hopefully, that will happen.

[Mr. Happy]

And to make room, Grossman has been sent to OKC. Harrell has been designated for assignment.

Any thoughts as to who will start sunday's game, which would have been Harrell's turn? I'm trying to write a series preview here for the Athletics series and need to know.

[Nate Colbert]

Any thoughts as to who will start sunday's game, which would have been Harrell's turn? I'm trying to write a series preview here for the Athletics series and need to know.

Clemens.

[Mr. Happy]

Clemens.

Is he stretched out far enough yet?

[Nate Colbert]

Is he stretched out far enough yet?

I think he can go 4 or 5 innings. That's what he went in each of his 2 outings at OKC.

[Mr. Happy]

I think he can go 4 or 5 innings. That's what he went in each of his 2 outings at OKC.

Then it may well be him. No one else in the org has been stretched out anymore. I think that they seem to like Peacock in the bully. Plus, he's not stretched out.

[jbm]

Great to hear such encouraging news in the morning. 

Not sure Clemens is much of an answer but he will at least throw more strikes and whine less.

[subnuclear]

I guess this was probably part of the plan all along. Harrell could be a useful middle reliever for somebody.

[roadrunner]

Fucking yes.  Light at the end of the tunnel.  Let's do this.

[Mr. Happy]

I guess this was probably part of the plan all along. Harrell could be a useful middle reliever for somebody.

I agree with you. Harrell's got some skill. He just ended up in that vortex of loss of command.

[ValpoCory]

This news is exciting. If Singleton continues to pound, how long before he is brought up and Carter is designated for assignment?

I'll be surprised if Singleton is still in OKC on May 1st.

[BudGirl]

I'll be surprised if Singleton is still in OKC on May 1st.

If they have started the changes, I hope he is next.

[ValpoCory]

FWIW

@JeffPassan 7m
If Springer started year with Astros, would hit free agency in 2019. Two-week delay keeps him under team control until after 2020 season.

Did it have to be 2-weeks?  I remember the Rangers called Profar up a couple days after the free agency calendar year changed. 

[Fredia]

yipppe  hope things improve

[geezerdonk]

I hope that Singleton and Stassi are close behind - The Killer Ses.

[pots]

Wates could probably push Presley out of a job as well.

[subnuclear]

Wates could probably push Presley out of a job as well.

Needs an 'S' name, though.

[Limey]

Needs an 'S' name, though.

S Express

[David in Jackson]

For someone who was supposedly under consideration for a long-term extension and was given the starting job hitting second, Grossman was a disappointment.  I expected him to step up.

[roadrunner]

Santana is another S who could be on the way.  Dammit, I really don't want snake hisses every time a rally starts in the 2016 playoffs.

[jbm]

For someone who was supposedly under consideration for a long-term extension and was given the starting job hitting second, Grossman was a disappointment.  I expected him to step up.

Yeah, I wonder if he was really considered for a long-term extension, but if he was, it highlights the danger of that strategy.

Anyways, the guy looked terrible.  I assume he does have the physical skills, but his mind was overwhelmed by the stress of his slump.  Hopefully, he will respond positively and succeed next time.

 

[Bench]

I guess this was probably part of the plan all along. Harrell could be a useful middle reliever for somebody.

Harrell's reaction, per Berman: Lucas Harrell surprised with DFA: "Oh yea, definitely. The ball caught here. The ball caught there. Bounce this way bounce that way(more)

Is that a poem?

[Jose Cruz III]

It begins. I am like a kid on Christmas Eve.

[Ebby Calvin]

Is this a good place to say Fuck You, Comcast or should I create a new thread?

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

Harrell's reaction, per Berman: Lucas Harrell surprised with DFA: "Oh yea, definitely. The ball caught here. The ball caught there. Bounce this way bounce that way(more)

Is that a poem?

Mother of God.  He's speaking Frieda.

[Reuben]

Mother of God.  He's speaking Frieda.

Sounds like he's also ready to blame anyone but himself for his struggles. Where's Ed Wade when you need him? You need to look in the fucking mirror, Lucas!

[Limey]

Sounds like he's also ready to blame anyone but himself for his struggles. Where's Ed Wade when you need him? You need to look in the fucking mirror, Lucas!

Harrell's mirror is 3-4 with a double and two runs scored.

[Reuben]

BA article on Springer's call-up, including an appropriate caveat:

Springer is susceptible to quality off-speed pitches and his pull-heavy approach means that he can be pitched to by pitchers who can locate consistently to the outer-half of the plate. Springer has struck out in 27 percent of his at-bats this season, in line with what he did last year.

Even in Triple-A, pitchers miss spots enough that Springer has gotten pitches to pull. At the big league level, he’ll have to show that he can adjust to pitchers who give him nothing to yank into the seats.

[Navin R Johnson]

A TV show based on Tim Redding and Lucas Harrell driving around the country in a 1998 Ford Econoline van, not solving crimes but coming with excuses as to why they didn't, would a be perfect late night series on the WB .

[Reuben]

A TV show based on Tim Redding and Lucas Harrell driving around the country in a 1998 Ford Econoline van, not solving crimes but coming with excuses as to why they didn't, would a be perfect late night series on the WB .

Well, maybe I was too hasty to condemn the guy. Astroscounty had this quote from Harrell: "Things happen. No matter what happens you got to make pitches. Sometimes bad luck is really not bad luck. It's making bad pitches."

[Navin R Johnson]

regarding not bringing up Springer sooner, Zach Levine had this interesting note on twitter....

Zachary Levine ‏@zacharylevine 25m
Astros fans, do you enjoy having Jarred Cosart on your team? There's a good chance he isn't if Hunter Pence isn't kept down 20 days in 2007.

[ValpoCory]

Robbie Grossman has been sent down to make room for Springer, and Lucas Harell will be designated for assignment, the Chronicle has learned

So who takes Harrell's spot on the Active roster?

[ValpoCory]

regarding not bringing up Springer sooner, Zach Levine had this interesting note on twitter....

Zachary Levine ‏@zacharylevine 25m
Astros fans, do you enjoy having Jarred Cosart, Jonathan Singleton, Josh Zeid, and Domingo Santana on your team? There's a good chance they aren't if Hunter Pence isn't kept down 20 days in 2007.

FIFY

[Navin R Johnson]

Good points VC.

[Jacksonian]

So who takes Harrell's spot on the Active roster?

Clemens will take Harrell's spot.  Feldman will be reactivated to the 25-man roster in time for his next start.

[Bench]

Harrell's mirror is 3-4 with a double and two runs scored.

Excellent.

[ValpoCory]

Clemens will take Harrell's spot.  Feldman will be reactivated to the 25-man roster in time for his next start.

Thanks.  Forgot about that.

[subnuclear]

I think McTaggart or someone on twitter said Williams or Peacock will take Harrell's spot in the rotation.

[Navin R Johnson]

From McTaggerts story.

http://brianmctaggart.mlblogs.com/2014/04/16/luhnow-discusses-springer-singleton-and-more/

Luhnow said either Jerome Williams or Brad Peacock would occupy the final spot in the rotation, replacing Harrell. They both were competing for it in Spring Training before being moved to the bullpen.

“I’ll talk to Bo [Porter], but my assumption would be to give the first opportunity to both of those two guys,” he said.

[geezerdonk]

They are sending down a player that leads the team in walks and is tied for the team lead in triples, home runs and RBIs.

[Ebby Calvin]

They are sending down a player that leads the team in walks and is tied for the team lead in triples, home runs and RBIs.

Meaning, what?  He has one of each of those?

[Jacksonian]

Meaning, what?  He has one of each of those?

7, 1, 2, 6.  Not to mention second in strike outs and tied for second in low batting average.

[ValpoCory]

 Brian McTaggart @brianmctaggart

Astros lineup, Springer hitting secod pic.twitter.com/vBQyYDBNow

https://twitter.com/brianmctaggart/status/456526966414274561/photo/1

Gamezone:  http://www.spikesnstars.com/forums/index.php?topic=116683.0

[NeilT]

7, 1, 2, 6.  Not to mention second in strike outs and tied for second in low batting average.

Gosh.  Who could be first in strike outs?

[VirtualBob]

Is this a good place to say Fuck You, Comcast or should I create a new thread?

Some statements go well with every thread.  Go ahead and say it here.

[VirtualBob]

BA article on Springer's call-up, including an appropriate caveat:

Yeah ... I am glad to see him up to the bigs, but I still worry that he is a faster version of Dave Kingman ... not terrible, mind you, but not the season-saver that some are expecting.

[VirtualBob]

So who takes Harrell's spot on the Active roster?

Springer.  Pay attention much?

[NeilT]

Springer.  Pay attention much?

Are you sure Springer's not also taking Harrell's place in the rotation?

[VirtualBob]

Clemens will take Harrell's spot.  Feldman will be reactivated to the 25-man roster in time for his next start.

Clemens was already on the 40-man though ... they needed to clear a spot on both the 25 and the 40 for Springer, thus Grossman being optioned (25) and Harrell being DFA (40).

ETA:  And by the time Feldman is reactivated, Harrell will also be gone from the 25.

[Reuben]

Actually Harrell DFA brings it down to 39, according to Drellich.

[Fredia]

i really  hope harrell gets some help

[Kit]

Excited as hell for Springer's start...just waiting 2 weeks for 1 more year of control seems like a good move....and nice to hear that Singleton is stroking it in the minors .....but rooting for Carter to fail ....seems odd to me.....

[geezerdonk]

Unless he cools down considerably, it is going to be tough not to bring Singleton up.

[Mr. Happy]

Unless he cools down considerably, it is going to be tough not to bring Singleton up.

I agree. The clock is ticking on either Carter or Guzman.

[jbm]

I haven't looked at their stats, but Guzman's ABs look way better than Carter's.  One looks like he might produce, the other looks lost and disinterested. 

[geezerdonk]

Santana may have as big an upside as anybody in the organization. He is a monster and could develop into a Winfield/Parker type once he matures. He is still only 21. 

[Mr. Happy]

Excited as hell for Springer's start...just waiting 2 weeks for 1 more year of control seems like a good move....and nice to hear that Singleton is stroking it in the minors .....but rooting for Carter to fail ....seems odd to me.....

Singleton isn't coming up anytime soon, according to Luhnow.

[Navin R Johnson]

Singleton isn't coming up anytime soon, according to Luhnow.

He was interviewed on the Matt Thomas show, and while the quote about needing more seasoning at AAA is accurate, he didn't close the door on JS coming up in the not distant future.  I would say late May early June would certainly be possible.

[jbm]

I'm glad McTaggart let me know that Singleton admitted to enjoying smoking weed rather than just smoking weed.  I had been wondering. 

[Bench]

I'm glad McTaggart let me know that Singleton admitted to enjoying smoking weed rather than just smoking weed.  I had been wondering. 

It would be really weird if he were smoking it despite not enjoying it.

[Duman]

Yesterday on Buster Olney's podcast he said he asked the OKC hitting coach, Leon Roberts, who he would compare Springer to and he gave an Andruw Jones comp.  He also asked former Astros bench coach Eduardo Perez for a comp and got Eric Davis.  Keith Law seconded the Davis comp with some qualifiers. 

[Navin R Johnson]

So how long till the Lil' Springers show up at Minute Maid?

[juliogotay]

Yesterday on Buster Olney's podcast he said he asked the OKC hitting coach, Leon Roberts, who he would compare Springer to and he gave an Andruw Jones comp.  He also asked former Astros bench coach Eduardo Perez for a comp and got Eric Davis.  Keith Law seconded the Davis comp with some qualifiers. 

Eric Davis sorta flamed out pretty quickly didn't he?

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

Yesterday on Buster Olney's podcast he said he asked the OKC hitting coach, Leon Roberts, who he would compare Springer to and he gave an Andruw Jones comp.  He also asked former Astros bench coach Eduardo Perez for a comp and got Eric Davis.  Keith Law seconded the Davis comp with some qualifiers. 

I hope he avoids the injury bug that plagued Davis' career. Pretty sure he can avoid the douche bug that plagued Andruw Jones'.

[das]

Eric Davis sorta flamed out pretty quickly didn't he?

Hurt his kidney diving for a ball during game 4 of the '90 WS when the Reds went wire to wire.  That ended a 5 year run where he was one of the most feared hitters and SB threats to go along with + fielding.  He had a some tumultous years filled with injury then cam back for a couple of very good years in the late 90's before fading due to injury again.  His was something like an 18 year career with lots of injuries but also lots of really good play.

[mrpink]

So how long till the Lil' Springers show up at Minute Maid?

Hopefully before the Spring'er Chickens.

[Fredia]

like the wizard of o"s or pumas

[Bench]

Hopefully before the Spring'er Chickens.

I was always a bit disappointed that there wasn't a Russell Springer fan group that dressed up half as a jack russell terrier and half as a springer spaniel.

[Fredia]

dont give management ideas

[Navin R Johnson]

Hopefully before the Spring'er Chickens.

What would the Springers wear?  Some sort of metal spring costume, or like bench mentioned a springer spaniel outfit, or maybe some sort of spring ensemble.

[Fredia]

chicken hopping on a spring

[austro]

I hope he avoids the injury bug that plagued Davis' career. Pretty sure he can avoid the douche bug that plagued Andruw Jones'.

It seemed like Davis was always nursing a hamstring problem.