Hello Astros’ Fans! This is Michael Hurta, the writer who now has somewhat less respect for Scott Boras from the blog Home Plate in Space.
Anyways, I am here giving the guys (and gals, considering Lisa) a favor by filling in until Lisa returns. I will be posting some articles both on my site and this site, as well as a weekly column on this site only.
And, just for an update: We signed Mike Lamb to an extension (good), and we signed Turk Wendall to a minor leaugue contract(bad-we should have saved the money for scouts or stat men). SP Estes has also signed elsewhere, which somewhat dwindles down our pitching options some more for next year. Anyways, without further ado, I will be letting you all dedicated Dugout fans read a somewhat short article I wrote on the 11th. Its not the best, but thats partially because its a tad bit old now. However, enjoy; I promise better in the future. Oh and for anyone who is interested, my email is Hurtya@gmail.com .
Most of this News is not Good News (but some is!)
First: there are still reports about the Astros being interested in Alfonso Soriano, but that the Rangers would want Burke and a pitching prospect in return; at least. Luckily, reports have also said that the Astros’ offer was “insulting,” which probably means the Astros don’t want to get rid of Burke or the other guy they are really interested in (Backe). This is some of the little good news. We don’t need Soriano, unless we play him somehow in the outfield. And at any rate, Burke might end up being hellishly better than Soriano, and we are not here to try and fix a short term problem with a semi-star since we lost Beltran. We must build for the long term where we can, and short term only if it does not hurt the long term. (and by by long term I mean next 3-5 years, for anyone who was interested.)
The team is also interested in Mike Cameron, Randy Winn, and Jose Cruz Jr. Chances are, unfortunatly, that we will not be able to recieve any of these players without hurting our long term that I mentioned. It would be best, most likely, to stick what we got.
However, there is an outfielder we are going after that we would not have to trade for. Well, I am not sure if we are going after him, but ESPN Insider’s rumor mill gave “Astros?” as a team interested and stated, “the Astros could swoop in and nab the former D-Backs outfielder to rebuild depth in the wake of Carlos Beltran’s defection and Lance Berkman’s offseason knee injury.” While Bautista is not great, he would be wonderful for depth and to help out until Berkman gets back.
Starter Scott Schoeneweis was signed by the Blue Jays. Its too bad, because he could have contended for the #5 spot. But he was way overpayed, two years 5.2 million dollars!
Meanwhile Terry Adams signed with the Phillies. There’s one more good reliever off the market.
Well, time for another day to go watch and see if anything interesting happens. However, our chances have only gotten slightly worse, if today’s moves show anything. At least I am hearing the thought of signing Esteban Loaiza tossed around. Now maybe we can get some news that Purpura is, in fact, pursuing him.
Tags: Houston Astros, MLB
I agree fully. Rumor of a trade for Soriano confused me. He has stated that he does not want to play outfield, and I couldn’t see the need for a second basemen. Burke’s minor league numbers look very promiseing, and I really had hoped we would get outfield help so we didn’t have to see Biggio out there.
I’m guessing we will make a serious run at Burnitz who looked good as long as he played at Coors. Minute Maid is not a pitchers park, so if the price is right. We’ll probably do that. I would also like to see Lane starting to see what he can do over a full season. Loaiza would be a good grab. Bullpen however is anybodies guess. Who’s out there? Not much.
Well, there is more relief pitching available in the free agent market than anyone else… I believe I stated it in one of my articles, probably the one after Beltran decided to leave. I’ll try and get it for you.