a run coming?

[JimR]

boy, i hope so. the division can be won.

[Golden Sombrero]

Reds did their part today.  Let's hope the Braves can take care of the Jakes tonight (can't believe I'm pulling for the Braves--I guess it's like rooting for the USSR against the Nazis).

[Jacksonian]

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boy, i hope so. the division can be won.

Of course the division can be won.  Everyone except the Mets have been stepping on their own dicks.

[Bench]

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boy, i hope so. the division can be won.

As crazy as it might sound, with four games against the Cards this week, the Astros could conceivably be leading the division by the break.

[BudGirl]

Agree 100%.  The Cards are having serious problems with their pitching.  I would still like the Astros to get a better bat.  I think the problem is Lamb, if you get a bat for RF, where does that leave Lamb?  Is he an upgrade at 3b over Ensberg?  Are there any 3B out there to be traded?

Anyway, I'll let Tim do his job.

[otterj]

Ensberg and Lane are the keys, imo. If they don't wake up, it would seem that the count would have to make some kind of big move for offense for a WS to be realistic. This starting pitching window won't last much longer, again imo.

[jasonact]

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Agree 100%.  The Cards are having serious problems with their pitching.  I would still like the Astros to get a better bat.  I think the problem is Lamb, if you get a bat for RF, where does that leave Lamb?  Is he an upgrade at 3b over Ensberg?  Are there any 3B out there to be traded?

Anyway, I'll let Tim do his job.

How about Abreu in RF? Personally, I like the idea of an upgrade, such as Abreu, in RF and moving Berkman back to 1B, but as you indicate, it's difficult to bench Lamb when he's hitting so well right now. You  could put him at 3rd over Ensberg, but I think that's a mistake for the long term. Ensberg is a MUCH better fielder, and I think he's the better hitter over the course of a season.

Of course, if you trade for Abreu, you can be assured that they would want an impressive package in return. I have no idea what positions the Phillies need, but some combination of Ensberg/Lamb/Taveras/Burke/pitchers/prospects would not be out of the question. Steep price, but it might be worth it.

[Jacksonian]

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Agree 100%.  The Cards are having serious problems with their pitching.  I would still like the Astros to get a better bat.  I think the problem is Lamb, if you get a bat for RF, where does that leave Lamb?  Is he an upgrade at 3b over Ensberg?  Are there any 3B out there to be traded?

Anyway, I'll let Tim do his job.

Lamb admits he's not best suited to being a regular.  I'm hoping he doesn't come back to Earth, but realistically he will.  I too would like to see TP land a solid rightfielder.  Good luck on that.  I'm sure a number of teams are doing the same.

[Golden Sombrero]

I wonder if the Reds would be willing to offer a more reasonable deal for Dunn now that they are in desperate need of a bullpen, and are actually in contention.

[Sleepy]

Lamb isn't just hot, he's a really good hitter.

[MusicMan]

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I wonder if the Reds would be willing to offer a more reasonable deal for Dunn now that they are in desperate need of a bullpen, and are actually in contention.

Why would they trade away one of the key reasons they are in contention?

[astro pete]

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I wonder if the Reds would be willing to offer a more reasonable deal for Dunn now that they are in desperate need of a bullpen, and are actually in contention.

Why would they trade away one of the key reasons they are in contention?

...and who they also locked up through 2008 prior to this season.

[das]

...and to someone in their division that they are currently duking it out with?

[No? in Austin]

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Ensberg and Lane are the keys, imo. If they don't wake up, it would seem that the count would have to make some kind of big move for offense for a WS to be realistic. This starting pitching window won't last much longer, again imo.

Amen.

[HudsonHawk]

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Of course, if you trade for Abreu, you can be assured that they would want an impressive package in return. I have no idea what positions the Phillies need, but some combination of Ensberg/Lamb/Taveras/Burke/pitchers/prospects would not be out of the question. Steep price, but it might be worth it.

Abreu also brings a ton of salary.  With payroll already over $100 million, I seriously doubt Mclane is going to add any significant amount more.

[Limey]

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As crazy as it might sound, with four games against the Cards this week, the Astros could conceivably be leading the division by the break.

...or dumped a mile back again!

[Phil_in_CS]

What a difference a week makes. Last week, the Astros were in a 2-7 run against some good teams who were red hot. Now they are playing the Rangers and Cubbies.

The current opponents aren't cashing in every mistake, they aren't getting the clutch hits, they are making errors and wild pitches themselves.

Playing the better teams last week put a spotlight on the Astros problems, showing some defects that aren't as obvious against the cubs.

[No? in Austin]

I think that they're pitching better and playing better defense, which ironically started *during* the bad stretch.  They were highly competitive versus the Twins and ChiSox and there was enough there to make one believe they could starting putting together some wins.

Against the Tiggers, the Astros just simply played badly and most of that was due to the red-hot Detroit nine putting a hurt on them.  It happens sometimes when another team is playing their best baseball.  There is an old saying: When your team is red hot, they're probably not as good as they look and when your team is ice cold they're probably not as bad as they look.

Baseball is a humbling game, but when you have the pitching and defense solid enough to compete, you'll be in most games.  Yesterday and the day before, Clemens and Pettitte proved what it means to have solid veteran pitching on your team.  I think it relaxes the team well enough when you have a solid guy taking the mound for you that you can be more relaxed at the plate to compete.

If a run is coming, it will be because the pitching and defense will lead the way again.  Gosh I hope some of it will be because of the bullpen too!

I'd like to see The Wrecking Ball Wheeler string together some solid innings again!

[Reuben]

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Of course, if you trade for Abreu, you can be assured that they would want an impressive package in return. I have no idea what positions the Phillies need, but some combination of Ensberg/Lamb/Taveras/Burke/pitchers/prospects would not be out of the question. Steep price, but it might be worth it.

Abreu also brings a ton of salary.  With payroll already over $100 million, I seriously doubt Mclane is going to add any significant amount more.

But if their goal really is to win the World Series, Mclane might realize that they probably need to add some salary, at least for this year.

[HudsonHawk]

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But if their goal really is to win the World Series, Mclane might realize that they probably need to add some salary, at least for this year.

The goal is to win the World Series every year, not sell the farm in an attempt to win it this year.  Your logic seems to imply that spending $500 million and driving the team into bankruptcy is worth it if you win the World Series this year.  Yes, they want to win, but keeping some fiscal sanity is in order too.  There is more at stake than simply selling all to try to win now.

[Reuben]

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But if their goal really is to win the World Series, Mclane might realize that they probably need to add some salary, at least for this year.

The goal is to win the World Series every year, not sell the farm in an attempt to win it this year.  Your logic seems to imply that spending $500 million and driving the team into bankruptcy is worth it if you win the World Series this year.  Yes, they want to win, but keeping some fiscal sanity is in order too.  There is more at stake than simply selling all to try to win now.

Certainly, and I'm not saying it's an easy decision, nor will I think he's a cheap bastard if he doesn't blow past $100mil. But Abreu might be a situation where, if you're willing to take on the contract (which I believe has about $23mil left including the 2008 buyout), you might not have to give up such great prospects in return (i.e. Hirsch or Patton). I'm aware that there are plenty of teams thinking about Abreu, but it seems the cash is causing a lot of them to think twice. And people on here have pointed out that McLane has often reached back for that extra cash when he felt it was worth it- perhaps the Clemens deal was that extra for this year, I don't know.

[JimR]

they traded Lidge for Abreu in the off season, but neither team wanted the contract.

[MusicMan]

FTR, he's already well past $100M.

If they can make a move, I'll be thrilled, but in no way would the lack of a move imply any cheapness on McLane's part.