Hello there fellow Astros fans!!! I’m sure you are sharing in the incredible excitement of acquisition of the newest Astro, Jason Michaels!!!!! Yessiree, the Astros just signed Jason Michaels to be the 5th OF – JUST what we needed after losing Ty Wigginton and Mark Loretta and, uh – well, um, well, why NOT sign an unnecessary OF when we actually NEED an infielder and, uh, um, well, let’s look at the stats:
Remember how I used to grouse about Phil Garner and his fetish for ex-Tigers? Well, Ed Wade is getting the players and you know where he used to be and seem he’s got a fetsh for acquiring ex-Phillies…
Jason Michaels, RHB, will turn 33. He was a 4th round pick of the Phils in 98 and had a cup of coffee in 01. He made the ML roster in 02 as a 5th OF, had a 120 OPS+ over 121 PA. 15 of his 28 hits went for extra bases and he drew 13 walks.
In 03, he had a better year, a 162 OPS+ over 125 PA with 16 of his 36 hits going for extra bases and he drew 15 walks (yep, another Astro who won’t/can’t walk.)
He played more in 04, but didn’t do as well with the bat, a 98 OPS+ over 346 AB with 42 BB and 80 K.
He had a breakout year in 05, still as a 4th OF, 343 PA, 110 OPS+, .304/.399/.415/.807 with 22 of his 88 hits going for XBH and 44 BB/45 K.
Fast Eddie traded him to Cleveland after the 05 season for middle reliever/failed closer Arthur Rhodes. The Indians intended to use him as a fulltime RF, and they did, before discovering that he wasn’t a full time guy – either that or he was wiped out by the awesome pitching of the Royals. He had an 85 OPS+ over 548 PA – 32 doubles and 9 HR, 43 BB, 101 K.
He essentially repeated his numbers in 07 in half the PA (.714 OPS 85 OPS+)
The Indians traded him to the Pirates last May for some nobody, and in 254 PA, he was even worse, an 82 OPS+ and a .228/.300/.382/.682 line.
Doesn’t look as if he’s much of a fielder, has pretty low zone rating numbers. But for some reason, I seem to remember him having a pretty good arm, although I might could be mis-remembering.
Ah well. Yet another “proven veteran…”
Tags: Houston Astros
I agree with you, I had an incredible night sleep after I read that the Astros signed Michaels. All my worries about the 09 season went away.
No, but really, I don’t understand this move yet. I don’t think that it could hurt us, but we really need infielders. I like Blum, but come on everyday 3rd base starter.
But more we really needed pitching. I was hoping that answer for next year was more than Mike Hampton. Don’t get me wrong I like Hampton, but even if he gives us a great year that’s just Roy and Hampton. The rest of the rotation is not too dependable.
Maybe Wade has more tricks up his sleeve, but with McLane on his back I guess that is a hard thing to do.
yeah we need a starting pitcher or 2 but unless the play in to use manzella/maysonnet and move tejada to third, like WHERE is the 3B???
michaels looks to be a waste of a roster spot