Lane in Center?

[ASTROCREEP]

Lane was just on AstroTalk or Astroline, whatever,
and he said he approached Pup or Garner about playing Center. And he even focused his offseason regiman towards preparing to play center. I find this very interesting. Would Lane's experience and arm offset the speed advantage that Burk's got on him? Would Burke be better off NOT learning a position he would seamingly only be playing for a year?

[Astroholic]

Me thinks if Lane even sniffs a starting role on this team, we are in for a long season.

[pravata]

Quote:
Lane was just on AstroTalk or Astroline, whatever,
and he said he approached Pup or Garner about playing Center. And he even focused his offseason regiman towards preparing to play center. I find this very interesting. Would Lane's experience and arm offset the speed advantage that Burk's got on him? Would Burke be better off NOT learning a position he would seamingly only be playing for a year?

Burke is the starter in center.  Lane is looking at competing with Bruntlett for the cf backup.

[Astroholic]

Just sounded to me like astrocreep was suggesting lame as the full time CF.  I could be wrong.

[pravata]

Quote:
Just sounded to me like astrocreep was suggesting lame as the full time CF.  I could be wrong.

He was, but that is wrong.  The only starting position that has any uncertainty to it is right field.  Everything else is in pen.

[coop]

I wouldn't be surprised if the teams starts the season with 11 pitchers and 14 position players, until they can better evaluate their options (with respect to Bruntlett, Lane and possibly Hidalgo).  Obviously other things such as trades or injuries can clearly change how this all going to play out.

I have a hard time understanding the value of Palmeiro right now...but I'll admit that's just me.  Outside of September last season he was pretty much a non-factor for the 2006 season.  Although, I have to admit he was a very important role player in 2005.  He could very well be that in 2007 as well.  The only thing I see with Palmeiro is that he gives you a good veteran presence who understands his role and has always been a pretty good left-handed contact hitter.  Other than that he has little power and merely an average baserunner and an average defender.

[JimR]

if you cannot see the value of OP, you must not see many games.

[coop]

I guess not

[ASTROCREEP]

Lane on that interview, seemed pretty pumped about playing CF, as if Pup and Gar gave him some indication that they were seriously considering it.

I don't think much of Burke in CF, I can't imagine Lane being much worse. If it was up to me, i would have acquired a defensive Pro CFer.

[MikeyBoy]

It's hard to say what kind of effect, if any, the passing of OP's Father and likely sickness that precluded his death, had on his performance, but he did hit .296 after his fathers death vs .215 before. Palmeiro is an exceptional pinch hitter, especially for those times when only contact is needed, which is a lot harder than it looks to fans, evidently. He is also a smart player and a very good base runner. His defense is just fine considering that's not what the Astros expect out of him.

[pravata]

Quote:
Lane on that interview, seemed pretty pumped about playing CF, as if Pup and Gar gave him some indication that they were seriously considering it.

I don't think much of Burke in CF, I can't imagine Lane being much worse. If it was up to me, i would have acquired a defensive Pro CFer.

I think it's pretty clear that Burke will play first string center.  I think he'll be adequate defensively.  And, from what I have observed, in regards defensive cf is either 1 or 1A in the list of importance at Union Station.

[coop]

Quote:
It's hard to say what kind of effect, if any, the passing of OP's Father and likely sickness that precluded his death, had on his performance, but he did hit .296 after his fathers death vs .215 before. Palmeiro is an exceptional pinch hitter, especially for those times when only contact is needed, which is a lot harder than it looks to fans, evidently. He is also a smart player and a very good base runner. His defense is just fine considering that's not what the Astros expect out of him.

Those are all very good points.  I forgot about his father.  Okay....you've won me over.  But I still think they're best to start the season with 13 position players and keep Bruntlett and either Lane or Hidalgo on the 25 man roster.  The thing that concerns me is that the only player with options who wouldn't have to clear waivers is Luke.  I would think he's safe after his half season last year.  But if he struggles in ST, he could very well be the odd man out.  I like Scott and I'm hoping that the team shows him some patience especially if he doesn't fare as well as the others in ST.

[Bench]

Quote:

Quote:
It's hard to say what kind of effect, if any, the passing of OP's Father and likely sickness that precluded his death, had on his performance, but he did hit .296 after his fathers death vs .215 before. Palmeiro is an exceptional pinch hitter, especially for those times when only contact is needed, which is a lot harder than it looks to fans, evidently. He is also a smart player and a very good base runner. His defense is just fine considering that's not what the Astros expect out of him.

Those are all very good points.  I forgot about his father.  Okay....you've won me over.  But I still think they're best to start the season with 13 position players and keep Bruntlett and either Lane or Hidalgo on the 25 man roster.  The thing that concerns me is that the only player with options who wouldn't have to clear waivers is Luke.  I would think he's safe after his half season last year.  But if he struggles in ST, he could very well be the odd man out.  I like Scott and I'm hoping that the team shows him some patience especially if he doesn't fare as well as the others in ST.

The only way Palmeiro won't be on the 25 man is if he's on the DL.

[Golden Sombrero]

OP was terrible for 7/8 of the season, but came up huge in the last 1/8.

[MikeyBoy]

What about the other 12 years of his career, are going to judge him on 80 at-bats independently? What factors are you taking into account when labeling him as "terrible"?

[Golden Sombrero]

Quote:
What about the other 12 years of his career, are going to judge him on 80 at-bats independently? What factors are you taking into account when labeling him as "terrible"?

The fact they signed him for a 2 year, 2 million dollar contract and he was a pinch hitter who wasn't hitting.  He made contact but that contact resulted in the ball rolling harmlessly to the infielders.

Are you seriously going to tell me that because he was good before, he should not be judged how he is producing at the moment?  That sort of loyalty to a fault is not good for the team.  Yes, he came around, but he was terrible before that.

[JimR]

FOS, you

[MikeyBoy]

Quote:
He made contact but that contact resulted in the ball rolling harmlessly to the infielders.

Horseshit.

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Are you seriously going to tell me that because he was good before, he should not be judged how he is producing at the moment?  That sort of loyalty to a fault is not good for the team.  Yes, he came around, but he was terrible before that.

OP's role as whole is not best measured with macro stats, especially since two-thirds of his total at-bats were one at-bat at a time and usually at a crucial time in a game. Interpretation of success needs to be taken individualy in each at-bat and in context of what was needed from that at-bat. Outside of his pinch hitting, he's also a great leader in the clubhouse, an extra instructor for the young guys, and a representative of the type of character Drayton covets for his organization. He's just a damn good baseball player, but probably not the guy to have on your fantasy team.

[Mr. Happy]

Palmeiro must be on the club. He's a consummate professional who has produced over a long period of time.

[Golden Sombrero]

Quote:
FOS, you

You have no clue