Huff and Options for Garner

[Arky Vaughan]

So, this gives Garner options with four players at three positions:

Ensberg's day off:

A: Lamb plays first, Huff plays third, Berkman plays right

Lamb's day off:

B: Berkman plays first, Ensberg plays third, Huff plays right

Berkman's day off:

C: Lamb plays first, Ensberg plays third, Huff plays right

Huff's day off:

D. Lamb plays first, Ensberg plays third, Berkman plays right

All of these also keep Lamb away from third base.

[MusicMan]

Vs. lefties, I'd expect Huff on the bench, with the old Lamb 1b - Ensberg 3b - Berkman RF arrangement.  LAmb fares much better against lefties than Huff.

[astro pete]

Quote:
So, this gives Garner options with four players at three positions:

Ensberg's day off:

A: Lamb plays first, Huff plays third, Berkman plays right

Lamb's day off:

B: Berkman plays first, Ensberg plays third, Huff plays right

Berkman's day off:

C: Lamb plays first, Ensberg plays third, Huff plays right

Huff's day off:

D. Lamb plays first, Ensberg plays third, Berkman plays right

All of these also keep Lamb away from third base.

Hopefully this is the move that puts Burke back in the 2 hole.

[No? in Austin]

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So, this gives Garner options with four players at three positions:

A: Lamb plays first, Huff plays third, Berkman plays right
B: Berkman plays first, Ensberg plays third, Huff plays right

Plus:

A. Lamb plays first, Huff plays third, Berkman plays right, Munson catches.  That is four really good lefty hitters.

The problem is still who the right handed power hitter will be to step up for Houston against all those tough lefty pitchers they have problems with.  That loss to the Cubs (1-0) and Sean Marshall still bothers me.  Mainly because Houston, outside of Berkman and Wilson, have no other options unless Ensberg turns it around.

[No? in Austin]

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So, this gives Garner options with four players at three positions:

Ensberg's day off:

A: Lamb plays first, Huff plays third, Berkman plays right

Lamb's day off:

B: Berkman plays first, Ensberg plays third, Huff plays right

Berkman's day off:

C: Lamb plays first, Ensberg plays third, Huff plays right

Huff's day off:

D. Lamb plays first, Ensberg plays third, Berkman plays right

All of these also keep Lamb away from third base.

Hopefully this is the move that puts Burke back in the 2 hole.

Right there with you Pete.  But when they face a lefty pitcher, I fear Burke gets moved down again to the middle of the lineup. Argh.

[Phil_in_CS]

(A) was my first thought, but MM is likely correct

[Andyzipp]

FWIW, it appears that a few teams have inquired about Ensberg's availability this morning.

[JimR]

good news, if that means that TP is still tweaking.

[MusicMan]

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FWIW, it appears that a few teams have inquired about Ensberg's availability this morning.

When I heard it was Zobrist/Talbot, the first thought that occured was "this isn't the last move".  The big bullets are still in Purp's gun.

[No? in Austin]

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FWIW, it appears that a few teams have inquired about Ensberg's availability this morning.

It really won't make Huff nor Ensberg very happy to be platooned.  But it worked with Sean Berry and Billy Spiers for a while and ironically, Phil Garner and Denny Walling (Yak, spit, phewy).  I think they will probably eventually make a trade again, for a reliever.  I hope Lane gets it together in AAA so he can get his swing back and come back and help this club.

He will be needed.

[Arky Vaughan]

I think Lamb's advantage over Huff against lefties in 2006 might be an aberration:

In 2006:

        ----vs. Left----     ---vs. Right----
Player   Avg   OBP   Slg      Avg   OBP   Slg
----------------------------------------------
Huff    .232  .303  .319     .304  .367  .522
Lamb    .294  .351  .529     .351  .395  .565

In 2003-2005:

        ----vs. Left----     ---vs. Right----
Player   Avg   OBP   Slg      Avg   OBP   Slg
----------------------------------------------
Huff    .293  .337  .450     .289  .356  .517
Lamb    .248  .300  .436     .253  .312  .443

Career:

        ----vs. Left----     ---vs. Right----
Player   Avg   OBP   Slg      Avg   OBP   Slg
----------------------------------------------
Huff    .278  .326  .425     .291  .349  .499
Lamb    .267  .336  .404     .284  .335  .432

Huff has played regularly most of his career, while Lamb hasn't, so I would see Lamb as the more likely player to sit.

This speculation is somewhat irrelevant, however. The whole point is that Garner finally has the prerogative to juggle guys around not because too many players are hitting badly, but because he has several attractive options at his disposal.

[JimR]

if Scott was looking for a sign that he has no future in Houston, it came this morning.

[No? in Austin]

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if Scott was looking for a sign that he has no future in Houston, it came this morning.

Read my mind coach!  First thing that I thought actually.

[astrox]

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good news, if that means that TP is still tweaking.

He made every indication at the press conference that there are still things brewing that they are exploring.

Drayton said that the "best is yet to come."  I guess that could be a general comment that the club is now set to make it's annual second half push, or it maybe could mean that there are other deals to be done.

Time will tell.

[MusicMan]

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if Scott was looking for a sign that he has no future in Houston, it came this morning.

That's been a flashing neon sign for the last two months.

[Arky Vaughan]

I'm not sold on the idea that Scott is better than a super AAA hitter. But then he's only had 89 plate appearances in the majors.

If he keeps mashing down there, however, maybe he makes better bait.

[drew corleone]

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All of these also keep Lamb away from third base.

And Lane away from the batters box, which is even better.

[Andyzipp]

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good news, if that means that TP is still tweaking.

Count Purpula confirmed in the after-PC-interview with the 610 idiots (idiots today based on the fact that one of them was longing for a Ricky Gutierrez type at shortstop) that he was still shopping and he has received several inquiries since the deal was completed last night.

If you can convince someone that Ensberg is just hurt and his production will come back with a little rest, surely there's some GM stupid enough to buy that.

[pravata]

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good news, if that means that TP is still tweaking.

Count Purpula confirmed in the after-PC-interview with the 610 idiots (idiots today based on the fact that one of them was longing for a Ricky Gutierrez type at shortstop) that he was still shopping and he has received several inquiries since the deal was completed last night.

If you can convince someone that Ensberg is just hurt and his production will come back with a little rest, surely there's some GM stupid enough to buy that.

Chopper? What's the problem, lack of souvenir bats?

[Fredia]

The Link
Tim Purpura said of Lane. ?He will be reporting to Round Rock shortly and get on board.?
does not sound like he was too happy about the whole thing. .. but could be a wake up call..

[toddthebod]

I can't imagine that either Lane or Ensberg isn't gone.  The Yankmees might be interested in Lane.

I was creaming for Huff a couple of years ago.  I just hope that the Astros didn't get Huff two years too late.

[S.P. Rodriguez]

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if Scott was looking for a sign that he has no future in Houston, it came this morning.

Someone is bound to cry about the brutal honesty involved that statement, which has become obvious to anyone paying attention.  The obvious being in light of all the offensive struggles for the Astros and Scott leading his AAA league in HRs he never got a call up.  Go figure....

[No? in Austin]

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I'm not sold on the idea that Scott is better than a super AAA hitter. But then he's only had 89 plate appearances in the majors.

If he keeps mashing down there, however, maybe he makes better bait.

Bingo!  Lane needs the playing time, so Brian Gordon probably sits for a while.  Scott has been playing left for Round Rock, so no problem there.  But I think Scott did get the message loud and clear.  Lane gets sent down but not in order to call him up.  They got Huff instead, a proven major league performer and someone who makes him a "mute" point.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

When asked if he was excited about playing in the AAA All-Star game, Scott replied, "Not really, to tell the truth; I'd rather rest."

I'm guessing he's weary of his position in the organization -- being aware he is not in the plans. Is he of no trade value? Seems that some ML team could use his bat, he might be worth some prospects.

[toddthebod]

I didn't think the Astros had this move in them.  I was expecting them to make a trade for Roberto Petagine.

[JackAstro]

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When asked if he was excited about playing in the AAA All-Star game, Scott replied, "Not really, to tell the truth; I'd rather rest."

I'm guessing he's weary of his position in the organization -- being aware he is not in the plans. Is he of no trade value? Seems that some ML team could use his bat, he might be worth some prospects.

I'm certainly no GM (armchair or otherwise), but I would think that Scott's numbers and potential would be worth a competent reliever from either a club in rebuilding mode or a contender who's short an OF.

[No? in Austin]

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When asked if he was excited about playing in the AAA All-Star game, Scott replied, "Not really, to tell the truth; I'd rather rest."

I'm guessing he's weary of his position in the organization -- being aware he is not in the plans. Is he of no trade value? Seems that some ML team could use his bat, he might be worth some prospects.

I'm certainly no GM (armchair or otherwise), but I would think that Scott's numbers and potential would be worth a competent reliever from either a club in rebuilding mode or a contender who's short an OF.

Luke Scott, Wandy Rodriquez and a low level prospect for Craig Wilson and Damaso Marte.  Ooooh, I feel so dirty, like the 2002 Chicago Cubs dirty.

[Nate in IA]

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if Scott was looking for a sign that he has no future in Houston, it came this morning.

Someone is bound to cry about the brutal honesty involved that statement, which has become obvious to anyone paying attention.  The obvious being in light of all the offensive struggles for the Astros and Scott leading his AAA league in HRs he never got a call up.  Go figure....

Does anyone have any insight into why this is?  Do the Astros feel that Luke will never figure out major league pitching?  Or is it just that his cup of coffee tainted him in the Astros' view?

[Russ99]

 

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Luke Scott, Wandy Rodriquez and a low level prospect for Craig Wilson and Damaso Marte.  Ooooh, I feel so dirty, like the 2002 Chicago Cubs dirty.

No way. The Astros surely don't need Damaso "Mr. Walk Everyone" Marte.

I like Craig Wilson, though. What about Roberto Hernandez?

[astro pete]

Quote:

If you can convince someone that Ensberg is just hurt and his production will come back with a little rest, surely there's some GM stupid enough to buy that.

Count me as one of the stupid ones, then.  I don't think it's a coincidence that his slumps always coincide with an injury.

[JimR]

from the stands, it looks like he has had a bad/go through the motions/pouting attitude all year. the club tried to trade him in the off season with no takers.

[S.P. Rodriguez]

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if Scott was looking for a sign that he has no future in Houston, it came this morning.

Someone is bound to cry about the brutal honesty involved that statement, which has become obvious to anyone paying attention.  The obvious being in light of all the offensive struggles for the Astros and Scott leading his AAA league in HRs he never got a call up.  Go figure....

Does anyone have any insight into why this is?  Do the Astros feel that Luke will never figure out major league pitching?  Or is it just that his cup of coffee tainted him in the Astros' view?

I would focus on the 2 stints he got last year combined with the fact that the hitting approach he displayed that led to the callup, to begin with, disappeared during actual games that counted.  IMO, 2 things can be taken from that: 1. He was mashing against pitchers at less than their peak. 2. That when he finally faced game time situations, he regressed to a swing from the ass, I don't know what's coming approach.  

Either way, his poutiness, as has been mentioned here and somewhat confirmed by his comments about playing in the AAA All-Star game (the "I'd rather rest" response), may have rubbed some in the Astros organization, those favoring strong work ethic and positive attitude (character traits, if you will) in addition to AAA success, the wrong way.

[JimR]

Gordon has not been playing much lately. the OF has been Scott, Rodriguez and Jimerson, who lately cannot even foul a ball off.

[Andyzipp]

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If you can convince someone that Ensberg is just hurt and his production will come back with a little rest, surely there's some GM stupid enough to buy that.

Count me as one of the stupid ones, then.  I don't think it's a coincidence that his slumps always coincide with an injury.

A couple of things here.  No ill-will against Ensberg, but his slumps coincide with an injury and an ass load of batting stances to compensate for the injury.  Stanceapalooza goes on for at least a month after each injury.  Which prolongs the slump, which can cause other injuries, which leads to more different stances/approaches, which prolongs the slump, which can cause other injuries...

My impression is that he thinks too much, and definitely thinks he's smarter than his coaches.  Right now his stances are changing pitch-to-pitch and I doubt very seriously that Gaetti has told him to do that.

It's not his production that bothers me, it's all the crap you have to deal with watching him between production.

[astro pete]

Quote:

A couple of things here.  No ill-will against Ensberg, but his slumps coincide with an injury and an ass load of batting stances to compensate for the injury.  Stanceapalooza goes on for at least a month after each injury.  Which prolongs the slump, which can cause other injuries, which leads to more different stances/approaches, which prolongs the slump, which can cause other injuries...

My impression is that he thinks too much, and definitely thinks he's smarter than his coaches.  Right now his stances are changing pitch-to-pitch and I doubt very seriously that Gaetti has told him to do that.

It's not his production that bothers me, it's all the crap you have to deal with watching him between production.

I agree with this.  Ensberg can be very frustrating to watch, and he certainly overthinks.  He ought to be more like Lenny Dykstra ("Who's pitching?  Steve Carlton?  Fuck him").  But there's no doubt the guy can rake, and, when he's on, he's one of the best third basemen in the league.  To get rid of him would be a huge mistake, imo.

[Andyzipp]

Quote:

I agree with this.  Ensberg can be very frustrating to watch, and he certainly overthinks.  He ought to be more like Lenny Dykstra ("Who's pitching?  Steve Carlton?  Fuck him").  But there's no doubt the guy can rake, and, when he's on, he's one of the best third basemen in the league.  To get rid of him would be a huge mistake, imo.

For me it depends what you get for him.  Mentally I traded him and Lane a long time ago, so either way, it works for me.

[cc]

How about his patent inability or unwillingness to realize his approach should be as a middle-of-the-order guy who's supposed to drive in runs, period?  Even when he was perfectly healthy last year he drove me crazy watching him take so many called-third strikes.

Clearly, his problems are not strictly injury-related.

[Nate in IA]

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if Scott was looking for a sign that he has no future in Houston, it came this morning.

Someone is bound to cry about the brutal honesty involved that statement, which has become obvious to anyone paying attention.  The obvious being in light of all the offensive struggles for the Astros and Scott leading his AAA league in HRs he never got a call up.  Go figure....

Does anyone have any insight into why this is?  Do the Astros feel that Luke will never figure out major league pitching?  Or is it just that his cup of coffee tainted him in the Astros' view?

I would focus on the 2 stints he got last year combined with the fact that the hitting approach he displayed that led to the callup, to begin with, disappeared during actual games that counted.  IMO, 2 things can be taken from that: 1. He was mashing against pitchers at less than their peak. 2. That when he finally faced game time situations, he regressed to a swing from the ass, I don't know what's coming approach.  

Either way, his poutiness, as has been mentioned here and somewhat confirmed by his comments about playing in the AAA All-Star game (the "I'd rather rest" response), may have rubbed some in the Astros organization, those favoring strong work ethic and positive attitude (character traits, if you will) in addition to AAA success, the wrong way.

Thanks, makes sense to me.

[mihoba]

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How about his patent inability or unwillingness to realize his approach should be as a middle-of-the-order guy who's supposed to drive in runs, period?  Even when he was perfectly healthy last year he drove me crazy watching him take so many called-third strikes.

Clearly, his problems are not strictly injury-related.

Bingo, this is my peeve. It's almost like he is obsessed with his OBP, where he should just hit the damn ball.

[S.P. Rodriguez]

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My impression is that he thinks too much, and definitely thinks he's smarter than his coaches.  Right now his stances are changing pitch-to-pitch and I doubt very seriously that Gaetti has told him to do that.

It's not his production that bothers me, it's all the crap you have to deal with watching him between production.

Not objecting to your impression, but I think it's fairly obvious that the Astros have talked to him about his current hitting approach, focusing on "the striekzone" as Enberg puts it, and how it contradicts what is in  his "job description" (Garner's words, not mine).  He's been moved up and down the lineup and nothing has changed.  The thing for me is, this behavior isn't unique.  It's exactly what happend his first year, it happend his second year (with the ridiculous stretch of no homers), with the only exception being last year.  In other words, this isn't a "He's just struggling right now" situation.  This is a "Here we go again" situation and I suspect the Astros are beyond words and are taking actions, based on this trade.  

If this doesn't wake Ensberg up, there is no way he's not gone, either before the trade deadline or over the winter.  If he does get the message, the Astros just got one hell of a boost to their offense.

[VirtualBob]

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How about his patent inability or unwillingness to realize his approach should be as a middle-of-the-order guy who's supposed to drive in runs, period?  Even when he was perfectly healthy last year he drove me crazy watching him take so many called-third strikes.

Clearly, his problems are not strictly injury-related.

Bingo, this is my peeve. It's almost like he is obsessed with his OBP, where he should just hit the damn ball.

I think his success is related to his refusal to swing at bad pitches.  He has a history, though, of denying injuries ... he apparently sees this a as a good thing (No excuses, sir) but it *does* affect everything from his stance to his power to his willingness to be aggressive at the plate.  When he is healthy. he either hits a ton or at least misses with an appropriate level of aggression.  If you look at his extended periods of mediocrity, it almost always turns out after the fact that he was hurt and refused to admit it.

[David in Jackson]

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I didn't think the Astros had this move in them.  I was expecting them to make a trade for Roberto Petagine.

I did see that Roberto was released earlier this week by the Mariners.

[Jacksonian]

I didn't see it in NYCU or in the TZ, but what is Huff's contract status?

[astro pete]

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I didn't see it in NYCU or in the TZ, but what is Huff's contract status?

FA at the end of the year, will cost the Astros a little over $1 million for the remainder of the season.

[Arky Vaughan]

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I think his success is related to his refusal to swing at bad pitches.  He has a history, though, of denying injuries ... he apparently sees this a as a good thing (No excuses, sir) but it *does* affect everything from his stance to his power to his willingness to be aggressive at the plate.  When he is healthy. he either hits a ton or at least misses with an appropriate level of aggression.  If you look at his extended periods of mediocrity, it almost always turns out after the fact that he was hurt and refused to admit it.

I think Zipp's spot-on. Ensberg gets injured, won't admit it, then messes around with his stance, and won't listen to anyone. Didn't he cost himself half a year of big-league service time in 2002 because he wouldn't listen?

I also agree with Bob that the idea that Ensberg needs to start swinging at balls out of the strike zone because he's in the middle of the line-up doesn't sound like a good formula for success. But he also doesn't need to be watching strikes fly into the catcher's mitt, either.

[Jacksonian]

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I didn't see it in NYCU or in the TZ, but what is Huff's contract status?

FA at the end of the year, will cost the Astros a little over $1 million for the remainder of the season.

So the Astros gave up Zobrist and Talbot for 1/2 season of Huff plus first shot at a future contract with him/possible arb leading to a contract or likely a first and second round draft pick from the team signing him.  If Huff hits well this looks to be a winner deal.

[astro pete]

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I didn't see it in NYCU or in the TZ, but what is Huff's contract status?

FA at the end of the year, will cost the Astros a little over $1 million for the remainder of the season.

So the Astros gave up Zobrist and Talbot for 1/2 season of Huff plus first shot at a future contract with him/possible arb leading to a contract or likely a first and second round draft pick from the team signing him.  If Huff hits well this looks to be a winner deal.

Yup.

[JJxvi]

I think the Astros will end up paying roughly $1.6 million to Huff.

[pravata]

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I think the Astros will end up paying roughly $1.6 million to Huff.

Astros press release says 1.4.

[DVauthrin]

This is an outstanding deal.   Purpura kept all the big assets the team has and acquired a guy with the ability to be a middle of the order hitter who can play 1b-3b-RF/LF.

I was calling for the addition of Huff before last year and they got him without parting with any top level prospects.

[S.P. Rodriguez]

The next big issue is, if Huff plays well, who is his agent?  If it's anyone other than Satan, a.k.a. Scott Boras, the Astros should have a better than fair chance of re-signing Huff. Not to get too far ahead of the process.

[Jacksonian]

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This is an outstanding deal.   Purpura kept all the big assets the team has and acquired a guy with the ability to be a middle of the order hitter who can play 1b-3b-RF/LF.

I was calling for the addition of Huff before last year and they got him without parting with any top level prospects.

But, he's got to keep hitting.  He can't regress to Ensberg levels of production.

[DVauthrin]

Well obviously he does, but his track record is very solid.   The Link

Before last year, I don't think you could get him at this kind of price.

[pravata]

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The next big issue is, if Huff plays well, who is his agent?  If it's anyone other than Satan, a.k.a. Scott Boras, the Astros should have a better than fair chance of re-signing Huff. Not to get too far ahead of the process.

These guys, about whom Baseball America says,

Sam and Seth Levinson, Agents. New York-based agents have recruited an impressive clientele, including Scott Rolen and Javier Vazquez, and built a strong reputation with the players? union.
The Link

[jaklewein]

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good news, if that means that TP is still tweaking.

Count Purpula confirmed in the after-PC-interview with the 610 idiots (idiots today based on the fact that one of them was longing for a Ricky Gutierrez type at shortstop) that he was still shopping and he has received several inquiries since the deal was completed last night.

If you can convince someone that Ensberg is just hurt and his production will come back with a little rest, surely there's some GM stupid enough to buy that.

Atlanta would seem to be a great fit.  Ensberg and a pitching prospect for Chipper.  They want pitching, and eventually they'll want a replacement for Chipper at third.  By the way...chronic foot problems aside, Chipper is playing like he's 30 again.  If there was any worries about him losing his power, look at the run he's had over the past 3 weeks or so.  The only downside is the foot problems...they make him a bit of a risk.