Aramis Ramirez

[Trey]

Ramirez opted out of his contract and  is now a FA.

The Link

Who would you rather have, him or Lee?

[HudsonHawk]

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Ramirez opted out of his contract and  is now a FA.

The Link

Who would you rather have, him or Lee?

I'd rather have him than Morgan Ensberg.

[Froback]

Would you rather have Huff at 3B and Lee in LF or Ramirez at 3B and Huff in LF?

Perhaps that would be a better question, I doubt many here think Ensberg is still on the club when the offseason is done.

[HudsonHawk]

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Would you rather have Huff at 3B and Lee in LF or Ramirez at 3B and Huff in LF?

I don't want either.  I want Scott in LF.  I'd rather have Ramirez at 3B than either Huff or Ensberg.

[JimR]

me, too, and Huff is a better LFer than Lee. tough choice.

[Froback]

Ok, let's just say the Astros sign Ramirez to play 3B and plan to play Scott in LF... Who plays RF?

[HudsonHawk]

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Ok, let's just say the Astros sign Ramirez to play 3B and plan to play Scott in LF... Who plays RF?

Well, I'm not sure at this point.  

But a general question...am I the only one thinking it's not the craziest idea out there to try to make Mike Lamb an outfielder?

[S.P. Rodriguez]

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Ok, let's just say the Astros sign Ramirez to play 3B and plan to play Scott in LF... Who plays RF?

Well, I'm not sure at this point.  

But a general question...am I the only one thinking it's not the craziest idea out there to try to make Mike Lamb an outfielder?

Didn't Jimy Williams try that?  I don't recall how long it lasted but I recall the results were less than positive.  It still has to be worth looking into, with maybe a full ST to help him learn a specific OF position.  I do recall Williams playing Lamb at 2B.

[Froback]

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Ok, let's just say the Astros sign Ramirez to play 3B and plan to play Scott in LF... Who plays RF?

Well, I'm not sure at this point.  

But a general question...am I the only one thinking it's not the craziest idea out there to try to make Mike Lamb an outfielder?

Nope, the little pink elephants think that too!

You are insane!  Clank should never be in the starting line-up unless filling in for the occassionaly day off or freak DL thing.

Edited in: Hunter Pence is a better option in RF than Lamb, just not sure if the team is ready to hand him the job.

[HudsonHawk]

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Didn't Jimy Williams try that?  I don't recall how long it lasted but I recall the results were less than positive.  It still has to be worth looking into, with maybe a full ST to help him learn a specific OF position.  I do recall Williams playing Lamb at 2B.

I don't recall Lamb in the OF before, but I could have just blocked it out.  At any rate, if you can turn Daryl Ward into a serviceable outfielder, Mike Lamb should be a pie job (although Ward was a always a pretty good glove).

[jwhudson]

Well lets just work on Ramirez first and then find a Right Fielder later.  I don't think that Lamb would fit that spot, but he is such a team guy I'm sure he'd do it, better off the bench.

[Alkie]

Ok, but if we're going to do that, why not just put Lamb at 1B and Lance back in RF?  Lance is a much better OF than Lamb would be.  Then you get both bats in the lineup and don't have to worry about a guy at a new position.

[JimR]

Huyff should play LF. Scott has to play RF...imo. of course, Huff played RF last year, and Scott was worse than Huff in RF so i'm likely wrong.

[Limey]

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But a general question...am I the only one thinking it's not the craziest idea out there to try to make Mike Lamb an outfielder?

Or put Lamb at 1B and Berkman in RF (presuming that his knee has healed enough now to take a full season in the outfield).

[Alkie]

Orrrrrrrrrrrrrrr...like I said, you could put Lamb at 1B and Lance in RF.

Just an idea.  That I came up with.  Just now.

[Limey]

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Ok, but if we're going to do that, why not just put Lamb at 1B and Lance back in RF?  Lance is a much better OF than Lamb would be.  Then you get both bats in the lineup and don't have to worry about a guy at a new position.

Out of my head.  NOW!

[MikeyBoy]

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But a general question...am I the only one thinking it's not the craziest idea out there to try to make Mike Lamb an outfielder?

I would rather have him on the bench available to pinch hit late in the game with runners on.

[Froback]

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Huyff should play LF. Scott has to play RF...imo. of course, Huff played RF last year, and Scott was worse than Huff in RF so i'm likely wrong.

If the game is about pitching and defense, we are putting Ramirez at 3B (who is better than he used to be), Scott in LF (not a great fielder), Huff in RF (not a great fielder)...

Would it be better to move Berkman to RF and Huff to 1B?  I know Berkman is not a great RF, but he is better than Huff, right?

Just concerned we are focusing a bit too much on offense and not at all on defense, which is very out-of-character for the people around here.

[BudGirl]

I thought Huff wants to sign where he will play 3B.  Am I dreaming that?

[Alkie]

I know a lot of people that say this, but I'm still not sure why.

Mike Lamb hits above .300.  Mike Lamb hits with power.  I thought we were trying to improve our offense.

Here's an idea (and I'm not picking on you Mikey Boy), why not use the player we have now with the .361 OBP and .475 slugging and put him in the goddamn lineup?  You wanna sit him against lefties, go ahead, that's what, once a week at most?  

You realize that Mike Lamb has almost the same numbers vs righties and lefties as Huff?  And yet we all can't WAIT to get Huff resigned for 7 times as much and get him in the lineup.

Why is Huff considered so much better in the field than Lamb?  I wasn't impressed by Huff in the least.  Shit, I'd almost RATHER have Lamb at 3B than Huff.

[HudsonHawk]

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Ok, but if we're going to do that, why not just put Lamb at 1B and Lance back in RF?  Lance is a much better OF than Lamb would be.  Then you get both bats in the lineup and don't have to worry about a guy at a new position.

Well, I'm assuming that Berkman is better off permanently at 1B.  I certainly think he is.

[HudsonHawk]

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But a general question...am I the only one thinking it's not the craziest idea out there to try to make Mike Lamb an outfielder?

I would rather have him on the bench available to pinch hit late in the game with runners on.

I wouldn't.  I'd rather have him getting four at bats than one.

[Limey]

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Well, I'm assuming that Berkman is better off permanently at 1B.  I certainly think he is.

He's certainly more engaged at 1B and has admitted to zoning out when playing in the outfield.  However, until Pence or Jimmerson or someone is ready to stake a claim as a full-time big club outfielder (at which point Lance goes back to 1B), I quite like the idea of Lamb at 1st, Berkman in the OF and all that money available to shower on Pettitte and Schmidt.  Oh, and Errormiss.

[HudsonHawk]

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If the game is about pitching and defense, we are putting Ramirez at 3B (who is better than he used to be), Scott in LF (not a great fielder), Huff in RF (not a great fielder)...

Would it be better to move Berkman to RF and Huff to 1B?  I know Berkman is not a great RF, but he is better than Huff, right?

Just concerned we are focusing a bit too much on offense and not at all on defense, which is very out-of-character for the people around here.

Ramirez has turned into a pretty good thirdbaseman.  He's far from the "Erromiss" he was when he first came up.  He's certainly better than Ensberg, Huff, or Lamb defensively.  And Scott is fine in LF.  Huff is not much of an outfielder IMO, but having Willy T in CF helps out with that some, seeing as how Huff's main problem is he's glued to the ground.  

And I think you're overstating the defense/offense angle.  Defense is important, but it's not like any of these guys are just horrible in the outfield.

[Alkie]

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Well, I'm assuming that Berkman is better off permanently at 1B.  I certainly think he is.

Ok, but we're just saying one of the two following should happen:

Berkman and Lamb are both in the lineup.  Berkman plays 1B, Lamb plays RF.

Berkman and Lamb are both in the lineup.  Berkman plays RF, Lamb plays 1B.

While I agree with you that Lance is better suited for 1B, Lance is a much better OF than Lamb and wouldn't require a lot of training to play the position on April 3.  

Have it however you want it, but I think it's nuts to own the rights to Mike Lamb and not be getting him as many ABs as possible.

I mean, if he was in the AL, he'd be a starting DH getting 600 ABs a season.

[HudsonHawk]

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Have it however you want it, but I think it's nuts to own the rights to Mike Lamb and not be getting him as many ABs as possible.

I mean, if he was in the AL, he'd be a starting DH getting 600 ABs a season.

I agree 100%.  Which is why I think it may be worth a shot to get him in the OF.

[Froback]

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And yet we all can't WAIT to get Huff resigned for 7 times as much and get him in the lineup.

For the same reason many are hot after Lee and are so infatuated with Backe.  He is a local product.

I am not going to argue Lamb vs Huff, but too many people seem hung up on the local kid playing here and are blinded to whether that is the better player to have.

I will accept Huff, Lamb or Ensberg at 3B if I have to, but I would rather have better.  I don't think any of them are that great.  I am interested in Ramirez, but that is only because his defense has vastly improved while in Chicago.

I still don't trust Lamb to be an everyday player.  Maybe I am too jaded by past history of his and he has turned a corner and become good enough to play everyday... but I just don't see it.

If you sign Ramirez to play 3B, you can play Scott in LF and try out the young kid in Pence.  How many times have we lamented that the Astros wait too long to put prospects in positions to succeed?  Pence may not be ready, but he should be close enough to warrant a consideration.

If the team is only going to add one bat this year and not via the trade then give me Ramirez.  That is my opinion.

If you want to do more than one and are willing to look at a trade, look to get Crawford or Wells... I would even like Soriano.  But the team needs to keep from overbalancing the team again like last year when they had too many 3B and not enough at other spots.

Not to mention the team still needs pitching help, Pettitte is not a shoe-in returner.  So the team basically has 2 starters, 3 if you count Wandy. from the starting 5 that ended last year.

[Alkie]

I was not aware that Houston was in Panama.

[Froback]

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And I think you're overstating the defense/offense angle.  Defense is important, but it's not like any of these guys are just horrible in the outfield.

Maybe I am, but you must be remembering things differently than I, Huff and Lamb were horrible in the OF by what I saw (granted very limited on Huff and not exactly recent of Lamb in the OF).

Lamb was ok at 1B, but gave me the heebie-jeebies every time the ball went he way.  I was not impressed at all when he was at 3B, but then Huff didn't either.  Ensberg seems to have down-graded last year.  Like I said, I am not happy with any of them.  I just think there are better options elsewhere.

And I am less confident than you in Lambs ability at the plate, I just don't think he can consistently do what you think he can.  I think Garner got about all you can out of him last year.

[HudsonHawk]

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And I am less confident than you in Lambs ability at the plate, I just don't think he can consistently do what you think he can.  I think Garner got about all you can out of him last year.

So you don't think he's an everyday player?  I do.

[MikeyBoy]

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I know a lot of people that say this, but I'm still not sure why.

Mike Lamb hits above .300.  Mike Lamb hits with power.  I thought we were trying to improve our offense.

Here's an idea (and I'm not picking on you Mikey Boy), why not use the player we have now with the .361 OBP and .475 slugging and put him in the goddamn lineup?  You wanna sit him against lefties, go ahead, that's what, once a week at most?  

You realize that Mike Lamb has almost the same numbers vs righties and lefties as Huff?  And yet we all can't WAIT to get Huff resigned for 7 times as much and get him in the lineup.

Why is Huff considered so much better in the field than Lamb?  I wasn't impressed by Huff in the least.  Shit, I'd almost RATHER have Lamb at 3B than Huff.

By all means, pick away, you have a valid point. The source of my statement comes from wanting a strong bench, too. Lamb's defensive shortcomings, while improving and not as bad as advertised, still makes him a liability in the field (other than 1B). I think he could play everyday as a first baseman, but I don't see Lance moving back to the outfield for any longer than a game or two, so he's shown to be a good pinch hitter and can play both 1B & 3B, I just see that being his optimal role on the team.

[Froback]

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I was not aware that Houston was in Panama.

Well he owns a ranch near Houston which is supposedly why he would want to play here.

[Alkie]

Speaking of which...where is this ranch?  

I remember once hearing that some ballplayer was from "right outside Houston" (dammit, and now I can't remember who it was, but it was years ago) and it turned out he was from the northern edge of the panhandle.  

I have a feeling this is like that.

His ranch is probably in Marfa.

[Lefty]

Hempstead/Brenham, iirc.

[MikeyBoy]

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I wouldn't.  I'd rather have him getting four at bats than one.

A very opportunistic one at bat, though. I still want him to get 350-400 at bats as a part time player/pinch hitter. I just think he has a great approach at the plate in all situations, including pinch hitting, which not all players do. You know as well as I do, that being a successful pinch hitter, especially a left handed one with power, is a very valuable asset to have on the team. I'm not sure who fills that role without Lamb.

[Lefty]

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For the same reason many are hot after Lee and are so infatuated with Backe.  He is a local product.

Huff's from Fort Worth, Lee's from Panama.  Not exactly local (unlike, say, Carl Crawford).

I'd think the main reason they're mentioned in connection with  the Stros is that they've both allegedly expressed an interest in playing in Houston, which may allow the Stros to sign them to a more reasonable contract than other FA options.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

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Ramirez opted out of his contract and  is now a FA.

The Link

Who would you rather have, him or Lee?

I'd rather have him than Morgan Ensberg.

I hate to admit it but, hell yeah. Ramirez is going to make contact. He's a year younger with a longer track record. He's a better glove than Lamb...   Ensberg's dissappointing hitting, has forced the Astros to consider such options.

[Ty in Tampa]

I do know when he was here, he wanted to play 3rd and raised a  small stink about it when they moved him to 1st and LF. He settled down about it but I'm pretty sure he wants to play 3rd.

[BudGirl]

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I do know when he was here, he wanted to play 3rd and raised a  small stink about it when they moved him to 1st and LF. He settled down about it but I'm pretty sure he wants to play 3rd.

Huff played 1st?

[Ty in Tampa]

He played about 30-40 games at 1st in '04 when Piniella made the switch.

[S.P. Rodriguez]

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I do know when he was here, he wanted to play 3rd and raised a  small stink about it when they moved him to 1st and LF. He settled down about it but I'm pretty sure he wants to play 3rd.

Huff played 1st?

I can't find the quote but Huff has said he'll play where ever they need him.  Is he better, defensively, focusing on one position?  Possibly, and it's not unreasonable for him to believe that to be the case.  However, he's never made a "small stink", that I have heard, read, or otherwise know about.  To the contrary, he's been the consumate professional/team player by all accounts I've read, even complimenting his competitive nature as something the Astros may have in short supply (That's Footer's comment).

[MusicMan]

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I was not aware that Houston was in Panama.

Then you're not up to speed on Itnernational issues.

Don't worry, I'll tutor you in exchange for an extra rubgirl.

[JimR]

Lamb is fine at 3B and good at 1B. he just needs to play.

[Alkie]

No, but I'll give you some extra booze.

Music, Alkie & Assoc, CPAs and Shit For All Your Itnernationals Neededs

[JimR]

"here" in Ty's post meant Tampa.

[Ty in Tampa]

A 'small stink' in that Huff butted heads with Piniella over the move, as he was struggling in the field and at the plate at the time. It was reported in the media here but it was short-lived. I didn't mean to imply he was not a consumate professional.

[S.P. Rodriguez]

Got it... I have to remember to look at poster's name/location before I respond.

[WulawHorn]

I've never reallly liked Aramis- seems kinda like a dueche.  If he's an astro though he'd be our deuche and if he hits as he has he would be a definate upgrade over the production at 3b this year.

I thought lamb was fine at 1b.  Not near as good as Berkman, imo, but he was fine.  I like Lamb. I'd like to see him get 400 ab's again this year in a platoon/move around/ pinch hit role.

Aramis at 3b, Scott in LF, Wily in CF, Lamb/Berkman/someone else (not Huff- too expensive-use the money elsewhere on the pitching staff.) in RF and 1b.  Maybe a Reggie Sanders type- definately a RH bat to fill in with Lamb in 4th OF/1b wherever Lance isn't playing that night.  Trade MoBerg for some pitching.

[mihoba]

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Maybe a Reggie Sanders type- definately a RH bat to fill in with Lamb in 4th OF/1b wherever Lance isn't playing that night.  Trade MoBerg for some pitching.

Lance would have to be injured not to be in the lineup.

[WulawHorn]

no- berkman plays every night- the rh bat fills in with Lamb opposite of where berkman plays. I thought that was clear, but I guess not.

[mihoba]

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no- berkman plays every night- the rh bat fills in with Lamb opposite of where berkman plays. I thought that was clear, but I guess not.

My bad, I thought you typed 'whenever'

[stubbyc]

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Ok, let's just say the Astros sign Ramirez to play 3B and plan to play Scott in LF... Who plays RF?

Well, I'm not sure at this point.  

But a general question...am I the only one thinking it's not the craziest idea out there to try to make Mike Lamb an outfielder?

We tried that before. I still remember a series in Atlanta where Lamb misplayed 5 or 6 balls into base hits. Garner didn't put him in the OF against after that.

[Ty in Tampa]

 

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We tried that before. I still remember a series in Atlanta where Lamb misplayed 5 or 6 balls into base hits.

4 game sweep. Made the trip to ATL for that gem. Willie didn't help much out there either.

[phil]

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I remember once hearing that some ballplayer was from "right outside Houston" (dammit, and now I can't remember who it was, but it was years ago) and it turned out he was from the northern edge of the panhandle.  
 

Mike Hargrove?

[VirtualBob]

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Lamb is fine at 3B and good at 1B. he just needs to play.

You're kidding, right?   He seems OK to me at 1st ... I've even seen him make some decent scoops that I thought were on the way to disasters.  But 3rd???  He seems to have almost no range and very poor 'first step' instincts (and you really only get one step at 3rd).  Add that to the (imo) well-deserved 'clank' label, and I hope he is only an emergency starter there.

[JimR]

nope, i am not kidding. i disagree with your assessment.

you guys need to pencil in Huff. unless something unexpected happens, he is an Astro and wants to be one.

[stubbyc]

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Ramirez has turned into a pretty good thirdbaseman.  He's far from the "Erromiss" he was when he first came up.  He's certainly better than Ensberg, Huff, or Lamb defensively.

From what I've seen I'd still take Ensberg or Huff over Aramis defensively at 3b.

[austro]

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From what I've seen I'd still take Ensberg or Huff over Aramis defensively at 3b.

That was certainly the case in the past, but when I watched him last year and tried to be objective about it, it became apparent that he has improved substantially.  Somebody on the Cubs' coaching staff knows what they're doing.

[HudsonHawk]

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Ramirez has turned into a pretty good thirdbaseman.  He's far from the "Erromiss" he was when he first came up.  He's certainly better than Ensberg, Huff, or Lamb defensively.

From what I've seen I'd still take Ensberg or Huff over Aramis defensively at 3b.

I disagree.  I think Ramirez has turned himself into one of the better defensive thirdbasemen in the league.

[VirtualBob]

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nope, i am not kidding. i disagree with your assessment.

you guys need to pencil in Huff. unless something unexpected happens, he is an Astro and wants to be one.

Whoever is there, I'll be pulling for him.  As far as "D" goes, I would still rate them Ensberg, Ramirez, Lamb/Huff ... but I hasten to add that while my availability has been widely known for decades, I have had no employment offers involving any sort of player evaluation since I retired after one season of managing at the 9-year-old level.

[Col. Sphinx Drummond]

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Ramirez has turned into a pretty good thirdbaseman.  He's far from the "Erromiss" he was when he first came up.  He's certainly better than Ensberg, Huff, or Lamb defensively.

From what I've seen I'd still take Ensberg or Huff over Aramis defensively at 3b.

I disagree.  I think Ramirez has turned himself into one of the better defensive thirdbasemen in the league.

I would have to include Ensberg's glove work in that category too. There's not that much difference in defense, but a huge difference in how they (Ensberg & Ramirez) approach batting. It's obvious one's approach to batting is: make the pitcher throw strikes/draw walks/hit. The other's approach is: make contact/advance runners/drive in runs/hit/walk.

Morgan can change is stance every goddamn plate appearance but he can't change his selection according to situtation... ever.

[jaklewein]

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Ramirez has turned into a pretty good thirdbaseman.  He's far from the "Erromiss" he was when he first came up.  He's certainly better than Ensberg, Huff, or Lamb defensively.

From what I've seen I'd still take Ensberg or Huff over Aramis defensively at 3b.

I disagree.  I think Ramirez has turned himself into one of the better defensive thirdbasemen in the league.

I'm friends with two fairly objective Cubs fans...they both agree with you.

[Russ99]

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I disagree.  I think Ramirez has turned himself into one of the better defensive thirdbasemen in the league.

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I'm friends with two fairly objective Cubs fans...they both agree with you.

From having to occasionally watch that clown college on the North Side this year, I'd agree too, but Ramirez has other problems that outweigh his good defense and high power numbers.

He's got a knock of being lazy, takes games off, plays for his numbers, and couldn't lead the team when Lee went down. Just the kind of guy you don't want to give 15+ mil a year to. Granted, if he were an Astro I'd probably ignore most of that, but I'd bet we'd all be calling him a headcase before too long. I'm also not sold on Ensberg being done yet.

A bit off topic: I also wouldn't mind Dunn playing first with Berkman back in right, but the Reds want pitching in return for him and the Astros don't really have anyone to spare until the Clemens/Pettitte issue settles itself.

[jaklewein]

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I disagree.  I think Ramirez has turned himself into one of the better defensive thirdbasemen in the league.

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I'm friends with two fairly objective Cubs fans...they both agree with you.

From having to occasionally watch that clown college on the North Side this year, I'd agree too, but Ramirez has other problems that outweigh his good defense and high power numbers.

He's got a knock of being lazy, takes games off, plays for his numbers, and couldn't lead the team when Lee went down. Just the kind of guy you don't want to give 15+ mil a year to. Granted, if he were an Astro I'd probably ignore most of that, but I'd bet we'd all be calling him a headcase before too long. I'm also not sold on Ensberg being done yet.

A bit off topic: I also wouldn't mind Dunn playing first with Berkman back in right, but the Reds want pitching in return for him and the Astros don't really have anyone to spare until the Clemens/Pettitte issue settles itself.

Of course one might argue that Aramis isn't lazy at all...he's just trying to help the team (and himself - I'm not stupid) by playing through an injury...thus balancing hustle against staying on the field (See Berkman '06).  I have no idea if that's the case, just what I've heard.

[HPFRic]

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He's got a knock of being lazy, takes games off, plays for his numbers, and couldn't lead the team when Lee went down. Just the kind of guy you don't want to give 15+ mil a year to.

interesting... your personal observations of ramirez sound eerily similar to gregg couch's ... probably just a coincidence.

here, btw,  is a rather extensive dissertation on how to completely obliterate a lazy, disinterested, uniformly stupid sportswriter (like, say... oh, i don't know: gregg couch).