Roster Moves

[Mr. Happy]

Byrdak to the 15 day DL. Gervacio to RR. Chacin and Lopez up.

[Limey]

Byrdak to the 15 day DL. Gervacio to RR. Chacin and Lopez up.

From Pam Gardner's To Do list:

Rearrange deckchairs...check.

[MusicMan]

From Pam Gardner's To Do list:

Rearrange deckchairs...check.

Lessee... the offense is averaging more than a run per game less than the 14th-best team in the NL.  The starters and relievers each have the 9th-best ERA in the league.

Yep, let's swap relievers.  That will bring the fans back.

[MusicMan]

Lessee... the offense is averaging more than a run per game less than the 14th-best team in the NL. 

PS... the Astros franchise worst runs scored for a year is 464, by the 1963 Colt .45's.  This year's team is on pace for 473.

[Bench]

Why Chacin and not Daigle?  Jenny Finch actually might sell a few tickets.

[Fredia]

what happens when it goes back to the glory days of the dome and maybe 2000 people show up

[Ron Brand]

Why Chacin and not Daigle?  Jenny Finch actually might sell a few tickets.

LHP, since Byrdak is on the DL.

[Noe in Austin]

I have to agree with these moves as very important moves.  I was of the opinion that the Astros made a mistake to reactivate Gervacio and send Wilton Lopez back down.  For one thing, I felt that the type of injury that Gervacio was dealing with was no small thing and I found highly suspect that he was well enough so soon to pitch at the major league level.  He proved as much with his performance in his short return to the club.  Byrdak was an unknown to me, but watching him pitch and not even be able to locate well enough to fool a left-handed batter was telling you something.  That something was that he was pitching hurt and that hurt the ballclub.

I'm not saying that the Astros would have won games they lost in this now 7 game losses in a row quagmire, but when those two came in, games that were still in doubt were summarily put out of reach by their performances.  If you're trying to keep a team motivated to comeback and win a game, the last thing you need is a setup man/middle reliever to quench the whole thing and make a laughter out of winnable game.

My dos centavos.

[MusicMan]

I'm not saying that the Astros would have won games they lost in this now 7 game losses in a row quagmire, but when those two came in, games that were still in doubt were summarily put out of reach by their performances.  If you're trying to keep a team motivated to comeback and win a game, the last thing you need is a setup man/middle reliever to quench the whole thing and make a laughter out of winnable game.

My dos centavos.

It's tough to keep pitchers motivated when they know that there's a better than 50/50 chance that allowing 2 runs loses the game.

[Limey]

It's tough to keep pitchers motivated when they know that there's a better than 50/50 chance that allowing 2 runs loses the game.

It's also hard to stay motivated when, even if the ball is caught in the outfield corners, it ain't getting back to where it's supposed to be any time soon, and while runners routinely take two bases on sharp singles to LF.

[Ron Brand]

It's also hard to stay motivated when, even if the ball is caught in the outfield corners, it ain't getting back to where it's supposed to be any time soon, and while runners routinely take two bases on sharp singles to LF.

That's why it's so helpful to have those algorithmic necklaces, because it smooths out the need for motivational foolishness and helps balance the auras.

[jbm]

Is is naive to think they might bring someone up for Pence?  That seems like an easy position to upgrade.

[Lurch]

Is is naive to think they might bring someone up for Pence?  That seems like an easy position to upgrade.

Yes.

[Matt]

Is is naive to think they might bring someone up for Pence?  That seems like an easy position to upgrade.

"Future face of the franchise". Plus he has his own section! Does Bourn have his own section?

[BudGirl]

"Future face of the franchise". Plus he has his own section! Does Bourn have his own section?

not yet, but he might after this season.

[Noe in Austin]

It's tough to keep pitchers motivated when they know that there's a better than 50/50 chance that allowing 2 runs loses the game.

A pitcher's job in these situation is to "hold them here" and they know it.  If they're both pitching hurt and cannot do said job, they're not helping, they are just adding fuel to the fire.  It may be a vicious cycle, but you win with pitching and defense and just enough offense.  If these pitchers think it's win with offense and just enough pitching, then they're sadly mistaken.

[MusicMan]

A pitcher's job in these situation is to "hold them here" and they know it.  If they're both pitching hurt and cannot do said job, they're not helping, they are just adding fuel to the fire.  It may be a vicious cycle, but you win with pitching and defense and just enough offense.  If these pitchers think it's win with offense and just enough pitching, then they're sadly mistaken.

Of course they know that they have to hold them as close as they can.  But if you don't think we're one or two starts away from the annual "I gotta have some runs" comment from Oswalt, you're mistaken.

[Noe in Austin]

It's also hard to stay motivated when, even if the ball is caught in the outfield corners, it ain't getting back to where it's supposed to be any time soon, and while runners routinely take two bases on sharp singles to LF.

This is true.  Pitching and defense are symbiotic.  Remember the days of Jay Powell, a really good setup man whose forte was inducing the groundballs with his power sinker.  Yeah, well behind him were an aging Craig Biggio and a sometimes lost Julio Lugo playing in a super fast grass at Enron Field.  Powell got the blame and eventually traded to Colorado.  Basically got boo'ed out of town.

Now fast forward to Chris Sampson who doesn't throw a power sinker, but has the same method to get his outs... sinkers, sliders, changeup, curveball, all at the knees to induce groundball outs.  Behind him is either Keppinger or Matsui and Manzella.  Plus the grass is now slower at Minute Maid Park.  What a difference.

[Noe in Austin]

Of course they know that they have to hold them as close as they can.  But if you don't think we're one or two starts away from the annual "I gotta have some runs" comment from Oswalt, you're mistaken.

I'm not talking about Oswalt, I am talking about two *hurt* pitchers in Gervacio and Byrdak.  That is the difference to me.

[Limey]

"Future face of the franchise". Plus he has his own section! Does Bourn have his own section?

Bourn does not yet have his own stalker group fan club (for which I respectfully suggest the name "Bourn's Afterburners", or perhaps "Michael's Jet Pack").

[Fredia]

wonder if pence has broken the record for marriage proposoals written on a poster board by fans sitting in the stands

[BudGirl]

Bourn does not yet have his own stalker group fan club (for which I respectfully suggest the name "Bourn's Afterburners", or perhaps "Michael's Jet Pack").

Those aren't really the best names for a stalker group fan club.

[austro]

wonder if pence has broken the record for marriage proposoals written on a poster board by fans sitting in the stands

In a league that includes Chipper Jones? No chance.

[BudGirl]

In a league that includes Chipper Jones? No chance.

Chipper?  What about Jeter?

[Limey]

wonder if pence has broken the record for marriage proposoals written on a poster board by fans sitting in the stands

Nope.  See Jones, Chipper.

[MusicMan]

Those aren't really the best names for a stalker group fan club.

Wouldn't they be the Bourn Supremacies?

[BudGirl]

Bourn Supremacists?

[MusicMan]

Bourn Supremacists?

Yeah... I don't like the way that's going.

Bourn Ultimatums.

[Noe in Austin]

Bourn to Run (Why isn't his music intro the Bruce Springsteen classic?)

[juliogotay]

Is is naive to think they might bring someone up for Pence?  That seems like an easy position to upgrade.

Out of curiosity, who would you bring up to replace Pence?

[astrosfan76]

"Future face of the franchise". Plus he has his own section! Does Bourn have his own section?

Anyone can have their own section this season, all they have to do is buy a ticket.

[juliogotay]

PS... the Astros franchise worst runs scored for a year is 464, by the 1963 Colt .45's.  This year's team is on pace for 473.

1963 was a different era of NL baseball. Much fewer runs scored than today's game. It was rare to see a pitcher with an ERA higher than 3+. That really puts that stat in perspective.

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

You're confused. Larry leads the league in scoreboard palimony anouncements.

[chuck]

I loved what I saw of Chacin in the spring and can't wait to see what he does for the big league club.

[jbm]

Out of curiosity, who would you bring up to replace Pence?

I don't follow RR too close, but Ramirez is supposed to have a good glove. That is an improvement over the present. I don't know much about Bogusevic or Bourgeois, all they'd have to do is 230 and play an average right field.

Pence seems to be regressing. He used to have generally poor ABs, but occasionally drive a fastball. Now, his best chance seems to be dribbler to the left side.  He rarely squares
up on fastballs anymore. 

[Reuben]

I don't follow RR too close, but Ramirez is supposed to have a good glove. That is an improvement over the present. I don't know much about Bogusevic or Bourgeois, all they'd have to do is 230 and play an average right field.

Pence seems to be regressing. He used to have generally poor ABs, but occasionally drive a fastball. Now, his best chance seems to be dribbler to the left side.  He rarely squares
up on fastballs anymore. 

Pence's rather generous selection to the All-Star team last year probably cemented his hold on the Astros' marketing dep. until next season at least. if they really are driving the personnel decisions I doubt he's going to sit very much at all, much less get demoted to AAA. For the time being, though, I don't see much alternative to running him out there. If he can bounce back from his slump enough to hit .260/.330/.430 or so, 20 homers, 70-80 RBIs, then he's a passable 5 hitter for this team. Like many here have said, not really a superstar, but a useful player (and, for the moment, affordable).

[S.P. Rodriguez]

I don't follow RR too close, but Ramirez is supposed to have a good glove. That is an improvement over the present. I don't know much about Bogusevic or Bourgeois, all they'd have to do is 230 and play an average right field.

Pence seems to be regressing. He used to have generally poor ABs, but occasionally drive a fastball. Now, his best chance seems to be dribbler to the left side.  He rarely squares
up on fastballs anymore. 

Ramirez is hardly seeing PT in RR.  Bourgeois is the starting CF and doing a fair job as leadoff.  Not sure Houston can spare power in RF, but if he can continue his success from AAA, they might find that 2-hole guy who can actually hit lefties AND righties.  And the guy has some speed.  Not Michael Bourn speed, but speed none the less.  Something like this:

Bourn
Bourgeois
Lee
Berkman
Keppinger
Feliz
Manzella
Quinterro

There's not much punch in that lineup, but Pence isn't providing much punch or defense, for that matter.  I suspect he has til some time in June.  If he's not out of his "slump" by then, it's not a slump.  The league has him booked.  Eric Byrnes anyone???

[Noe in Austin]

Ramirez is hardly seeing PT in RR.  Bourgeois is the starting CF and doing a fair job as leadoff.  Not sure Houston can spare power in RF, but if he can continue his success from AAA, they might find that 2-hole guy who can actually hit lefties AND righties.  And the guy has some speed.  Not Michael Bourn speed, but speed none the less.  Something like this:

Bourn
Bourgeois
Lee
Berkman
Keppinger
Feliz
Manzella
Quinterro

There's not much punch in that lineup, but Pence isn't providing much punch or defense, for that matter.  I suspect he has til some time in June.  If he's not out of his "slump" by then, it's not a slump.  The league has him booked.  Eric Byrnes anyone???

Are you saying Pence = Byrnes or "Can we trade for Byrnes"?  Byrnes is actually a very good example of the type of player Pence is:

1. A hard nosed, all out, run through a wall, don't think, react player
2. Prone to making spectacular plays only because he doesn't know how to make routine plays
3. At times will hit the baseball with authority
4. An adventure on the basepaths, sometimes in a good way and sometimes in a very bad way
5. When it comes down to it, a very average left fielder at best, probably should be a utility guy and not a starter when all is said and done.

Another guy that Pence reminds me of is Xavier Nady.  Nady was once touted as the next great prospect in San Diego. He was brought up to the majors with much fanfare and given all the chances to prove himself worthy of the premature accolades.  He didn't and washed out in San Diego.  Nady then moved around a bit (and is still doing so), playing in Pittsburgh, New York (Mets), New York Yankees and now a bench player for the Chicago Cubs.  His best years in the majors were very Pence-like, making good in Pittsburgh for a while and with the Mets hitting 7th in a very stacked lineup.  Nady has carved out a very decent career as a journeyman in search of steady work and hits around the .250 - .260 mark with some power.  He's a part but not THE part of a good team.

The Astros need to walk away from showcasing Pence already and move on if they have to.  This is not to say I am advocating a trade, just saying that Pence is a left fielder at best and an average player who will help a club as a part of a team and not the showcase for a team, so the Astros need to slot Pence that way from now on... for their own benefit.

[moriartp]

Not sure Houston can spare power in RF

Power? What power?

[Limey]

Power? What power?

I believe Mr. Astro collected another infield hit last night.

[Matt]

I believe Mr. Astro collected another infield hit last night.

Is he trying to compete with Bourn for most infield hits? Meanwhile Bourn went down the left field line with a double last night and nobody could bring him home.

[S.P. Rodriguez]

Are you saying Pence = Byrnes or "Can we trade for Byrnes"?  Byrnes is actually a very good example of the type of player Pence is:

1. A hard nosed, all out, run through a wall, don't think, react player
2. Prone to making spectacular plays only because he doesn't know how to make routine plays
3. At times will hit the baseball with authority
4. An adventure on the basepaths, sometimes in a good way and sometimes in a very bad way
5. When it comes down to it, a very average left fielder at best, probably should be a utility guy and not a starter when all is said and done.

Another guy that Pence reminds me of is Xavier Nady.  Nady was once touted as the next great prospect in San Diego. He was brought up to the majors with much fanfare and given all the chances to prove himself worthy of the premature accolades.  He didn't and washed out in San Diego.  Nady then moved around a bit (and is still doing so), playing in Pittsburgh, New York (Mets), New York Yankees and now a bench player for the Chicago Cubs.  His best years in the majors were very Pence-like, making good in Pittsburgh for a while and with the Mets hitting 7th in a very stacked lineup.  Nady has carved out a very decent career as a journeyman in search of steady work and hits around the .250 - .260 mark with some power.  He's a part but not THE part of a good team.

The Astros need to walk away from showcasing Pence already and move on if they have to.  This is not to say I am advocating a trade, just saying that Pence is a left fielder at best and an average player who will help a club as a part of a team and not the showcase for a team, so the Astros need to slot Pence that way from now on... for their own benefit.

Yep, that's where I was going with it.  Also the fact that as the league figured out Byrnes, all that out hustle didn't get it done quite like it did before.  It's not a huge knock on the guy.  Obviously, he's max'd out his ability and there's a lot to be said about that.  I respect the hell out his effort. 

[Jacksonian]

Yep, that's where I was going with it.  Also the fact that as the league figured out Byrnes, all that out hustle didn't get it done quite like it did before.  It's not a huge knock on the guy.  Obviously, he's max'd out his ability and there's a lot to be said about that.  I respect the hell out his effort. 

Pence's future?

[S.P. Rodriguez]

Pence's future?

That's awesome.  If only we could all play beer league softball and collect $11mil.  Now THAT is the life. 

[Limey]

That's awesome.  If only we could all play beer league softball and collect $11mil.  Now THAT is the life. 

As long as there's sex and drugs, I can do without the rock 'n' roll.