Following the Astros http://houstonastros.wordpress.com Comments on the Houston Astros baseball team Sat, 05 Dec 2009 00:17:07 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ en hourly 1 http://www.gravatar.com/blavatar/3dfd06e7d97bb210bfc80b5a551b0804?s=96&d=http://s.wordpress.com/i/buttonw-com.png Following the Astros http://houstonastros.wordpress.com A look at the Astros’ top prospects http://houstonastros.wordpress.com/2009/12/04/a-look-at-the-astros-top-prospects/ http://houstonastros.wordpress.com/2009/12/04/a-look-at-the-astros-top-prospects/#comments Sat, 05 Dec 2009 00:13:04 +0000 Richard http://houstonastros.wordpress.com/2009/12/04/a-look-at-the-astros-top-prospects/ ]]>

At least they have a few prospects now, after the rather remarkable decision to let the pipeline dry up. There were a lot of people traded for Miguel Tejada, and now the price is being paid. Baseball America still has the Astros at No. 30 out of 30 in farm system, though.

Astros hopeful prospects can impact

via Houston Astros News by Brian McTaggart on 12/4/09


Despite having their Minor League system ranked near the bottom in overall talent from top to bottom, the Astros are enthusiastic that better days are ahead.

]]> http://houstonastros.wordpress.com/2009/12/04/a-look-at-the-astros-top-prospects/feed/ 0 Richard A headline that’s not actually true http://houstonastros.wordpress.com/2009/12/04/a-headline-thats-not-actually-true/ http://houstonastros.wordpress.com/2009/12/04/a-headline-thats-not-actually-true/#comments Fri, 04 Dec 2009 13:14:46 +0000 Richard http://houstonastros.wordpress.com/2009/12/04/a-headline-thats-not-actually-true/ ]]>

Remember this is an aging 74-win team we’re talking about. The Astros have many needs: back of the rotation, second base, third base, catcher, a couple of bullpen spots. What they don’t have is money to spend.

Astros have few needs entering Meetings

via Houston Astros News by Brian McTaggart on 12/3/09


While the Astros will likely take a wait-and-see approach into next week’s Winter Meetings, they are looking to find a couple of relievers and perhaps an offensive upgrade at third.

]]> http://houstonastros.wordpress.com/2009/12/04/a-headline-thats-not-actually-true/feed/ 0 Richard Catch in the outfield http://houstonastros.wordpress.com/2009/12/03/catch-in-the-outfield/ http://houstonastros.wordpress.com/2009/12/03/catch-in-the-outfield/#comments Thu, 03 Dec 2009 20:53:19 +0000 Richard http://houstonastros.wordpress.com/2009/12/03/catch-in-the-outfield/ ]]>
Not that I could buy season tickets, but catch in the outfield would be fun. 

Hand-pick your seats at Minute Maid Park for next season.

In anticipation of its Select-A-Seat event next weekend, the Astros Ticket Services Department has added a couple of nice incentives for fans interested in season tickets for 2010.

Anyone who purchases or renews season tickets or 27-game mini-plans during the Select-A-Seat event on Saturday, Dec. 12 will receive the following:

* $50 (per account) in food, beverage and retail vouchers for full season tickets and “Buy two, get two” season tickets.

* $25  (per account) in food, beverage and retail vouchers for 27-game mini plans.

Select-A-Seat runs from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and will include one-on-one guided tours to find the perfect set of seats. Ticket sales representatives will offer valuable information on each available seat location to ensure an investment in the perfect plan.

New for 2010 is the “Buy Two, Get Two Free” season ticket offer. As part of this package, fans purchasing two season tickets in the View Deck I and View Deck II seating levels or in select Terrace Deck sections will receive two additional season tickets in the same price level for free. These full season packages start at only $415 per season seat — only $5 per game.

The Astros are also offering special “Early Bird” incentives for those who buy their season tickets by Dec. 18. The incentives include a choice of taking batting practice, playing catch in the outfield or a taking clubhouse tour at Minute Maid Park.

For more information, call Astros Ticket Services at 1-800-ASTROS2.

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Questions? Send to afooter@astros.com 

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]]> http://houstonastros.wordpress.com/2009/12/03/catch-in-the-outfield/feed/ 0 Richard Not coming to Houston http://houstonastros.wordpress.com/2009/12/03/not-coming-to-houston/ http://houstonastros.wordpress.com/2009/12/03/not-coming-to-houston/#comments Thu, 03 Dec 2009 17:05:32 +0000 Richard http://houstonastros.wordpress.com/2009/12/03/not-coming-to-houston/ ]]>

via Sabernomics by JC on 12/3/09


Several sources are indicating that Placido Polanco has agreed to a 3-year $18 million deal to return to the Philadelphia Phillies as their third baseman. Polanco had a rough 2009 with Detroit; but, it appears to be mostly a batting average issue, so I think he’ll bounce back. His defense was also off a bit in 2009 (Plus/Minus: +2) after being stellar for most of his career. The move to third may hurt him some, because even though it’s a less-difficult position, transitions always require adjustment. And on top of this, he’ll be 34 — 36 over the guaranteed portion of the contract.

Even after factoring in these things, I estimate Polanco being worth around $25 million over the term of the deal. And I really have to go out of my way to punish him when determining what type of player he will be, accounting for a position switch and his extreme performance fluctuation over the past few years. Overall, I think it’s a good move for the Phillies.

]]> http://houstonastros.wordpress.com/2009/12/03/not-coming-to-houston/feed/ 0 Richard A candidate for third base http://houstonastros.wordpress.com/2009/12/03/a-candidate-for-third-base/ http://houstonastros.wordpress.com/2009/12/03/a-candidate-for-third-base/#comments Thu, 03 Dec 2009 15:29:45 +0000 Richard http://houstonastros.wordpress.com/2009/12/03/a-candidate-for-third-base/ ]]>

I saw this note and thought this is the kind of player that fits in the Astros’ budget. Apparently he can field some and his bat is not that much weaker than, say, Geoff Blum’s. Maybe you get him if you offer a bunch of incentives based on playing time. For a money-strapped team, it beats paying Placido Polanco $6 million a year.

On the other hand, maybe you would rather see Chris Johnson playing third. I would be OK with that. Play some kids, let them take their lumps and find out who’s worth keeping.

via FanGraphs Baseball by Jack Moore on 12/3/09


It should be no surprise that a light hitting, great fielding third baseman with back problems is having trouble getting play in this market. Joe Crede hardly warrants a second look, after all, compared to Chone Figgins, Adrian Beltre, Mark DeRosa, Troy Glaus, and Pedro Feliz. Figgins, Feliz, and Beltre are all great defensive players. Figgins and Beltre are better hitters than Crede, and Feliz isn’t as injury prone. DeRosa and Glaus can outslug Crede.

This means that Crede could once again be a great target for some team to swoop in and steal for cheap.

]]> http://houstonastros.wordpress.com/2009/12/03/a-candidate-for-third-base/feed/ 0 Richard Astros interested in Polanco? Seriously? http://houstonastros.wordpress.com/2009/12/03/astros-interested-in-polanco-seriously/ http://houstonastros.wordpress.com/2009/12/03/astros-interested-in-polanco-seriously/#comments Thu, 03 Dec 2009 13:13:02 +0000 Richard http://houstonastros.wordpress.com/2009/12/03/astros-interested-in-polanco-seriously/ ]]>

Polanco’s best year was 2007. He dropped some in 2008 and some more in 2009. He’ll be 34 next year. Please, no. Wasn’t Kaz Matsui a “cautionary tale”?

via Houston Astros News by Brian McTaggart on 12/2/09


Free-agent infielder Placido Polanco, who won his second Gold Glove this year for the Detroit Tigers, has drawn serious interest from the Astros, according to baseball sources.

]]> http://houstonastros.wordpress.com/2009/12/03/astros-interested-in-polanco-seriously/feed/ 0 Richard Translation: We have no money http://houstonastros.wordpress.com/2009/12/03/translation-we-have-no-money/ http://houstonastros.wordpress.com/2009/12/03/translation-we-have-no-money/#comments Thu, 03 Dec 2009 13:07:45 +0000 Richard http://houstonastros.wordpress.com/2009/12/03/translation-we-have-no-money/ ]]>

I haven’t read all of the questions, but from what’s here the tone seems consistent. The Astros aren’t going to spend to bring in high-priced talent because they have $54 million tied up in Lee, Oswalt, Berkman and Matsui. I liked the bit about Mike Hampton and Russ Ortiz as “cautionary tales,” and I hope Ed Wade would prefer to draft picks to Jose Valverde.

via MLB Rumors – MLBTradeRumors.com by Luke Adams on 12/2/09


Houston Astros Senior Director of Digital Media Alyson Footer invited her Twitter followers to participate in a Q&A with Astros GM Ed Wade. The exchange resulted in too many tweets to individually link them all, but check out her Twitter account for some quotes from the conversation. Here are a few points of interest:

  • If the team cannot retain Jose Valverde and/or LaTroy Hawkins, Wade notes that there are other back-of-the-bullpen options out there. He says the club would prefer to have Valverde return as their closer, but mentions Fernando Rodney, Kevin Gregg, Rafael Soriano, and Mike Gonzalez as potential alternatives.
  • The Astros will “proceed with caution” when it comes to pursuing pitchers like Ben Sheets, who have questionable injury histories. Wade pointed to Mike Hampton and Russ Ortiz as cautionary tales.
  • Wade doesn’t expect to have a whole lot of money to commit to any starting pitching additions, given the other holes the team needs to fill.
  • The GM singles out Randy Wolf as one starter who is “probably not realistic” due to his expected price tag.
  • As much as the team would like to bring back Miguel Tejada, the market for the veteran will dictate whether they’ll be able to afford it.
  • The team might acquire a stopgap behind the plate, but would prefer if one of their in-house options could step up and earn the starting job.
]]> http://houstonastros.wordpress.com/2009/12/03/translation-we-have-no-money/feed/ 0 Richard How the playoffs should be structured http://houstonastros.wordpress.com/2009/12/02/longer-division-series-shorter-postseason/ http://houstonastros.wordpress.com/2009/12/02/longer-division-series-shorter-postseason/#comments Thu, 03 Dec 2009 00:03:53 +0000 Richard http://houstonastros.wordpress.com/2009/12/02/longer-division-series-shorter-postseason/ ]]>

I’m not sure I’d be thrilled to see the first round of the playoffs go seven games, although this year’s playoffs had more inactivity than usual. I would like to see the four playoff teams in each league play each other three times, with one team advancing to the World Series. The top-seeded team would get six of the nine games at home, the other teams would get five, four and three. That way you have constant activity and every team would get at least three home playoff games, up from the current minimum of one.

via Bats by By JACK CURRY on 12/2/09


The new executive director of the baseball players union is looking to alter the postseason schedule.

]]> http://houstonastros.wordpress.com/2009/12/02/longer-division-series-shorter-postseason/feed/ 0 Richard Along with every other available relief pitcher http://houstonastros.wordpress.com/2009/12/02/along-with-every-other-available-relief-pitcher/ http://houstonastros.wordpress.com/2009/12/02/along-with-every-other-available-relief-pitcher/#comments Wed, 02 Dec 2009 19:52:14 +0000 Richard http://houstonastros.wordpress.com/2009/12/02/along-with-every-other-available-relief-pitcher/ ]]>

Myers, Putz may be on Astros’ radar
via Houston Astros News by Brian McTaggart on 12/2/09


Brett Myers and J.J. Putz, two pitchers who had their ‘09 seasons cut short because of injuries, are among the players the Astros have interest in according to reports.

]]> http://houstonastros.wordpress.com/2009/12/02/along-with-every-other-available-relief-pitcher/feed/ 0 Richard Richard Justice’s take http://houstonastros.wordpress.com/2009/12/02/richard-justices-take/ http://houstonastros.wordpress.com/2009/12/02/richard-justices-take/#comments Wed, 02 Dec 2009 16:25:49 +0000 Richard http://houstonastros.wordpress.com/2009/12/02/richard-justices-take/ ]]>

Another voice for a youth movement. I agree with Richard Justice on this, although he could change his mind by next week.

If Astros lose Valverde, Hawkins and Tejada, it’s no big deal
via SportsJustice by Richard on 12/2/09


When the Astros announced they weren’t going to offer arbitration to Miguel Tejada and LaTroy Hawkins, I didn’t blink. If Jose Valverde signs elsewhere, is it a big deal? I can’t get worked up about any of it. The…

]]> http://houstonastros.wordpress.com/2009/12/02/richard-justices-take/feed/ 0 Richard