2006-2007 Astros Off-Season Thread

[Astros33Resurrected]

Originally Posted by Aordolin

I like ausmus. I am just saying that they need to upgrade one of those positions and catcher makes the most sense. Because Ausmus' skills are clearly declining. I think the whole calls a great game is overrated though. Thats just an excuse used when you cant say anything else positive about a player. Lets look at what the Astros possibly have as a rotation in 07:

Oswalt
Pettitte
Clemens
Williams
Hirsch

How much handling do the top 4 need? I would say almost none. Those guys know how to pitch already and I doubt recieve that much benifet from having Ausmus as a battery mate. Now lets say Clemens and Petitte arent back and you have a bunch of young guys in the rotation then maybe I can see your point. But even if they did get Molina you still have Ausmus. Molina only played 110 games last year so Ausmus still has plenty of playing time IMO.

Agian I dont think their lineup even with the addition of Lee is strong enough to suffer Ausmus' bat. Even more so if we dont get Clemens and Pettitte back. If we had 7 legitimate major league bats in the lineup and Ausmus was batting 8th it would be different. Lets look at the probably lineup:

Tavaras CF .278 .329 OBP .340 SLG 34 BB (Thats not good for a leadoff)
Biggio 2B .246 .306 OBP .422 SLG (batted like .130 on the road)
Berkman 1B .315 .420 OBP .621 SLG
Lee LF .300 .355 OBP .540 SLG
Ensberg 3B .235 .396 OBP .463 SLG (He should be better this year)
Scott RF .336 .426 OBP .621 SLG (2 months action - is he this good?)
Ausmus C .230 .308 OBP .285 SLG (Petitte had a higher SLG than him)
Everett SS .239 .290 OBP .352 SLG

Half their lineup hit under .250 last year. Besides Berkman and Lee I would wager that none of their other starters would start for any other team with World Series aspirations. And that is what the Astros have isnt it? Burke will probably end up replacing Biggio at 2B or even Tavaras at CF at some point this year. So I guess that could be considered an upgrade. If Luke Scott plays like he did last year and Ensberg plays like he did in 05 then this doesnt look so bad but I dot think they can afford to take that chance.

I like Tavaras improvement on defense but he should really be batting 7th or 8th in the lineup. He doesnt have the OBP to be a leadoff hitter. Though he might get better.

Everett does one thing really well. Play defense and I think he is the best defensive shortstop in the game. Because of that I am willing to suffer his poor bat. Though unlike Tavaras and Ausmus he does have some pop. He is also still fairly young.

Ausmus is 38. Slow with no power. Even if he is on a roll hitting he is only hitting singles (usually with nobody on base because nobody else gets on either). His arm strength is not what it used to be so he gets stolen on pretty regularly. He does still field the position well (saves Lidge alot of WP on his sliders).

I know hes on the decline...I guess I'm just a homer. I think with Lee on the team, if Clemens and Pettite both come back, theres no need to overspend on a guy like Molina. I say play Ausmus some and give Hector Gimenez a chance to play a little. He's a switch hitter with some pop. The OF isnt that bad. You have Lee in LF, Scott in RF and then Burke, Lane or Taveras in CF. Thats better than quite a few teams. If Morgan Ensberg can turn things around, theres no need to add another hitter. If he can hit around .280 with 30+HR's and 100+RI's (which he did in 05)that will be like adding a hitter basically.

[Astros33Resurrected]

Pettite's agent just said he will have a decision by Christmas. I'm hoping he comes back. Maybe something along the lines of 2yrs around 20mill or so. Im praying he doesn't end up back in pinstripes

[nate7891]

On Ausmus: Nobody would have a problem with Ausmus' offense if the rest of the lineup would be producing(which their not) like they should.

Biggio is on the decline, hes ,at best ,a backup 2B which Phil Garner will start at 2B for home games since hes going for 3000 hits and i think backup for away games,i dont know if that will happen though. I would love to see what Chris Burke can do as a full time 2B but we will have to wait for Bidge to get his 3,000th hit. The scouting report on Biggio is: Throw low away slider. He repeatedly swings at these. I can't stand it. I dont understand how he cant lay off these. Even if a fastball is thrown instead of a slider its still a ball. It wouldnt be a strike if it was a fastball.

Taveras made huge strides last season, im ok with him at the top of the lineup.He needs to continue working on his patience at the plate and not strike out as much. I think his swing looks elementary but hey, if its works than who am i to say anything.

I think Morgan Ensberg is going to be given every chance in ST and the beginning of the season to keep the job at 3B. I think hes already given the job. its his to lose. I dont agree with that reasoning but I think its fact. Huff wont be back and Lamb is a nice hitter, hes a good platoon player. I hope Ensberg returns to his former self and hit 30+ HRS and drive in at least 90 RBI.

Luke Scott amazed me last season. Clutch hit after clutch hit. He starts in RF period

Lance Berkman is (or should be) now entrenched in the 1B job. No switching to OF. He needs to stay 1B.

Adam Everett is the BEST defensive shortstop in the game. There shouldnt really be a question.Hes the BEST. He deserved a gold glove but gold gloves are based alot on reputation.He doesnt do much with the stick but his defense is more than enough. Just keep the average around .250 or .240.


About the comment that either Pettitte or Clemens wont be back because of Woody signing: I dont really see why both of them cant come back. In fact, if we get one (pettitte or clemens) we are getting the other. I honestly believe that. Oswalt,Clemens,Pettitte, Williams, and Hirsh/Wandy(i dont like Wandy but i believe he will be given some shots)
Qualls,Wheeler,Lidge, Nieve, Buchholz..and that lefty..i completely forgot his name, im not sure if hes still signed with us but if he is then hes in there.oh and springer if hes still with us.

Taveras CF
Ensberg 3B
Berkman 1B
Lee LF
Scott RF
Biggio 2B (i dont see him this low in the order but i think thats where he should go. He will most likely go leadoff or #2)
Everett SS
Ausmus C
Pitcher




I dont see too many trades happening. Willy might be dealt. I dont know what we'd get in return but I think the chance is there for him to be dealt.

[Astros33Resurrected]

Originally Posted by nate7891

On Ausmus: Nobody would have a problem with Ausmus' offense if the rest of the lineup would be producing(which their not) like they should.

Biggio is on the decline, hes ,at best ,a backup 2B which Phil Garner will start at 2B for home games since hes going for 3000 hits and i think backup for away games,i dont know if that will happen though. I would love to see what Chris Burke can do as a full time 2B but we will have to wait for Bidge to get his 3,000th hit. The scouting report on Biggio is: Throw low away slider. He repeatedly swings at these. I can't stand it. I dont understand how he cant lay off these. Even if a fastball is thrown instead of a slider its still a ball. It wouldnt be a strike if it was a fastball.

Taveras made huge strides last season, im ok with him at the top of the lineup.He needs to continue working on his patience at the plate and not strike out as much. I think his swing looks elementary but hey, if its works than who am i to say anything.

I think Morgan Ensberg is going to be given every chance in ST and the beginning of the season to keep the job at 3B. I think hes already given the job. its his to lose. I dont agree with that reasoning but I think its fact. Huff wont be back and Lamb is a nice hitter, hes a good platoon player. I hope Ensberg returns to his former self and hit 30+ HRS and drive in at least 90 RBI.

Luke Scott amazed me last season. Clutch hit after clutch hit. He starts in RF period

Lance Berkman is (or should be) now entrenched in the 1B job. No switching to OF. He needs to stay 1B.

Adam Everett is the BEST defensive shortstop in the game. There shouldnt really be a question.Hes the BEST. He deserved a gold glove but gold gloves are based alot on reputation.He doesnt do much with the stick but his defense is more than enough. Just keep the average around .250 or .240.


About the comment that either Pettitte or Clemens wont be back because of Woody signing: I dont really see why both of them cant come back. In fact, if we get one (pettitte or clemens) we are getting the other. I honestly believe that. Oswalt,Clemens,Pettitte, Williams, and Hirsh/Wandy(i dont like Wandy but i believe he will be given some shots)
Qualls,Wheeler,Lidge, Nieve, Buchholz..and that lefty..i completely forgot his name, im not sure if hes still signed with us but if he is then hes in there.oh and springer if hes still with us.

Taveras CF
Ensberg 3B
Berkman 1B
Lee LF
Scott RF
Biggio 2B (i dont see him this low in the order but i think thats where he should go. He will most likely go leadoff or #2)
Everett SS
Ausmus C
Pitcher




I dont see too many trades happening. Willy might be dealt. I dont know what we'd get in return but I think the chance is there for him to be dealt.

the lefty is trevor miller.

[Astros33Resurrected]

Trever* Miller is still with us but Russ is an FA.

[Aordolin]

I really think Lidge and Ensberg are going to be dealt this month. I will be extremely disapointed if Jason Lane or Wandy Rodriguez have any more signifcant of a role on this team besides keeping Oswalts spot on the bench warm between innings.

[nate7891]

Originally Posted by Aordolin

I really think Lidge and Ensberg are going to be dealt this month. I will be extremely disapointed if Jason Lane or Wandy Rodriguez have any more signifcant of a role on this team besides keeping Oswalts spot on the bench warm between innings.

Agreed about lane and rodriguez.Lane has been given too many chances already. Wandy just isnt very good. Who is going to start at 3B if ensberg is dealt? I can tell you now that Huff will be in the area of 8 Mill which the Astros wont be paying for. Lamb? He is best as a platoon player

[Terpripken]

Originally Posted by nate7891

Agreed about lane and rodriguez.Lane has been given too many chances already. Wandy just isnt very good. Who is going to start at 3B if ensberg is dealt? I can tell you now that Huff will be in the area of 8 Mill which the Astros wont be paying for. Lamb? He is best as a platoon player

As a Devil Rays fan...I am curious what you Astros fan think about Aubrey Huff.

When he was on the Rays he was by far my LEAST favorite player. I would watch game after game of him not hustling, not running out ground balls, making poor defensive plays, mental mistakes, lack of clutch hitting...etc. He did have 2 really good years, but then he became one of those "slow starters", his bat was worthless until June.

So...I was just curious how he looked upon going to Stros....and is he a good fit for your club?

[Astros33Resurrected]

Originally Posted by Terpripken

As a Devil Rays fan...I am curious what you Astros fan think about Aubrey Huff.

When he was on the Rays he was by far my LEAST favorite player. I would watch game after game of him not hustling, not running out ground balls, making poor defensive plays, mental mistakes, lack of clutch hitting...etc. He did have 2 really good years, but then he became one of those "slow starters", his bat was worthless until June.

So...I was just curious how he looked upon going to Stros....and is he a good fit for your club?

He struggled with us. I think he hit a HR in one of his first games which gaves us hope then he just fell apart. He's too expensive for his talent.

[nate7891]

Originally Posted by Astros33Resurrected

He struggled with us. I think he hit a HR in one of his first games which gaves us hope then he just fell apart. He's too expensive for his talent.

I agree, I thought he would be the bat we needed to get us into the playoffs, but he was one of the worst hitters on our team, he would come up wth a HR every now and again to make people believe he was breaking out of his slump then he'd dive right back into that slump. Hes a liability where ever he plays in the field, he doesn't hustle, he just flat out looks lazy. Looking back we might of been better off not making that deal. Hunsicker screwed us over! I wish he was still GM of the 'Stros

[Terpripken]

Originally Posted by nate7891

Hes a liability where ever he plays in the field, he doesn't hustle, he just flat out looks lazy.

Exactly. That's what bothered me the most about him. He was just a slug. He always seemed disinterested in the game. It's too bad...he really could have made a name for himself in Tampa. For awhile, he was extremely popular....then all of a sudden something clicked off and he stopped caring.

[Aordolin]

I wasnt saying they need to move Ensberg and Lidge just I feel that the Astros are going to try to move some people this winter and its likely to be one of both of those guys since they probably have the most trade value. How much that is I dont know, probably not a whole lot.

Huff was alright last year. I would bring him back if he didnt want too much money. I think he was in a position last year that he wasnt suited for, being protection for Berkman, power guy. He has proven he can drive in runs in the past, I just dont think hes a cleanup hitter like he was put in as last year. He is average in the field, plus I like that hes a lefty and the Astros lineup has been way to right handed over the years.

[Astros33Resurrected]

Originally Posted by Aordolin

I wasnt saying they need to move Ensberg and Lidge just I feel that the Astros are going to try to move some people this winter and its likely to be one of both of those guys since they probably have the most trade value. How much that is I dont know, probably not a whole lot.

Huff was alright last year. I would bring him back if he didnt want too much money. I think he was in a position last year that he wasnt suited for, being protection for Berkman, power guy. He has proven he can drive in runs in the past, I just dont think hes a cleanup hitter like he was put in as last year. He is average in the field, plus I like that hes a lefty and the Astros lineup has been way to right handed over the years.

He wants too much is the problem and we dont have a spot for him. LF is lee's we have scott in RF, berkman at 1b and Ensberg at 3b. We dont really need Huff. Ensberg will produce around the same numbers for a lower price.

[Terpripken]

Originally Posted by Aordolin

Huff was alright last year. I would bring him back if he didnt want too much money. I think he was in a position last year that he wasnt suited for, being protection for Berkman, power guy. He has proven he can drive in runs in the past, I just dont think hes a cleanup hitter like he was put in as last year. He is average in the field, plus I like that hes a lefty and the Astros lineup has been way to right handed over the years.

I may be too harsh of a Huff critic. He was asked to do alot with the Rays and he was constantly involved in trade rumors for almost 2 years. I think it eventually just got to him. He is more of a "complimentary" type player. One of the pieces of the puzzle, but certainly not the main guy. I actually hope bounces back, despite all the bad things I've said about him.

[nate7891]

you know i read a couple days ago that the Astros will be looking for a #2 SP during the winter meetings. I think Purpura is just yanking our chain here. I think in Tim's head he means hes hoping Pettitte will decide over the course of the winter meetings if hes coming back or not and if he does then hes our #2 and if he doesnt then our #2 will come from the guys we have now. I know theres talk about Peavy etc. but I dont see us trading for Peavy or probably not even Jennings for that matter

[Astros33Resurrected]

Originally Posted by nate7891

you know i read a couple days ago that the Astros will be looking for a #2 SP during the winter meetings. I think Purpura is just yanking our chain here. I think in Tim's head he means hes hoping Pettitte will decide over the course of the winter meetings if hes coming back or not and if he does then hes our #2 and if he doesnt then our #2 will come from the guys we have now. I know theres talk about Peavy etc. but I dont see us trading for Peavy or probably not even Jennings for that matter

Peavy is a small possibility. But highly unlikely. From what i heard it was rumored to be Burke and spects for Peavy. I think that i not gonna happen. But ya never know, we did pull off a deal for a good SP once!(Randy Johnson)

[Astros33Resurrected]

Apparently the Stros released former LHP phenom Carlos Hernandez. It's a shame he got hurt when he did. He could have been pretty good. Rotator Cuff surgery is a hurd thing to come back from, i guess.

[Elendil]

Originally Posted by Astros33Resurrected

But ya never know, we did pull off a deal for a good SP once!(Randy Johnson)

Don't remind me...

[nate7891]

Originally Posted by Elendil

Don't remind me...

Exactly what I was thinking, who did we give up again? Carlos Guillen and Freddy Garcia are the only ones i remember

[Astros33Resurrected]

Originally Posted by nate7891

Exactly what I was thinking, who did we give up again? Carlos Guillen and Freddy Garcia are the only ones i remember

Those are the ones I remember. Thats way too much for barely 1/2 a season. He didn't even do that great in play-offs IIRC.