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 Post subject: ** 2010 Official Houston Astros Thread**
PostPosted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 12:50 am 
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So I guess the answer is yes.

This is a team that's going nowhere, at least for another season or two. The ownership, Drayton McLane, isn't as bad as everyone says although he can be extremely frustrating in his attempt to "win now" by signing overpaid free agents or trading our prospects for "stars". He will spend money - but usually just enough to keep us 2nd or 3rd in the NL Central.

The latest GM, Ed Wade, has finally seemed to convince McLane of the importance of the draft and player development. What once was a breeding ground for serious players has turned into a desert of 29-year-olds hoping for one more shot (which they will fail at).

As a Houston sports fan (Astros, Rockets, Texans), I am used to disappointment, and I am pretty sure that we will never win anything ever again. Luckily, there may a few bright spots in the Astros season, but in all likelihood those will be mired beneath a bunch of fat old assholes.


Let's go position by position, shall we?

Catcher
Probable starter: Humberto Quintero .232/.275/.325
- Q isn't very good. He probably shouldn't be starting for any major league team. His defense isn't bad, and he may even be an upgrade on offense if you haven't watched the Astros since Ausmus moved on. As is usual with the Astros, he will be one of the automatic outs in the 8th spot that we've become accustomed to.

Back-up: J.R. Towles .188/.280/.329
-At one time considered the next big thing, especially after hitting 8 RBI in a game after a September call-up. What a disappointment. Along with Pence, and to a lesser extent Felipe Paulino, Towles was supposed to be part of the Astros future. Now he's surely a career AAA-player.

Future: Jason Castro
-The #10 pick in the 2008 draft, Castro showed off in the Futures Game and Olympics. A lot of fans want him to do well enough in spring training to earn a starting nod, but chances are, he will start in AAA and get called up later in the season. Castro is cheap, young, and full of potential. He hasn't shown a lot offensively, but he hopefully will be able to hit for average. In a pre-Ed Wade day (I can't believe I am praising him for anything) he wouldn't see the Majors for at least 2 years. Let's hope it's sooner and pray he's not another Towles.

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 Post subject: Re: ** 2010 Official Houston Astros Thread**
PostPosted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 1:48 am 
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I was discussing the season with a friend a few months ago, and he projected that they would finish second in the division and compete for the wild card. Now, this sounded ridiculous to me and fueled by nothing but emotion, so I asked him if he wanted to put $40 on it. The guy wanted 5 to 1 odds, so I didn't make the bet, though I feel it's easy money.

I'm looking forward to going to games this season, but this team isn't going to compete. Good OP, KC.


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 Post subject: Re: ** 2010 Official Houston Astros Thread**
PostPosted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 2:47 am 
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the disastros are going nowhere with wade. he's one of the last GM's who absolutely does not believe in sabermetrics, preferring to "feel out" prospects by the whims of his scouts, who give him numbers that he has no idea about. he was famous for being fed all manner of stats for a particular philly power hitter, then waving his hand in deference and asking, "does he look like a baseball player?" the scout, of course, didn't know what to answer. i know this happened because i know the scout.

theo epstein he is not. he will be fired within two years, probably only because mclane (baylor grad, woot) will give him a leash because the organization is in horrible shape and only jesus could resurrect whatever hopes this team has at a playoff run in the next 5 years. the only saving grace is probably that the NL central is generally up for grabs. but... and this is important... the reds are starting to come around. so are the goddamn pirates, who all the sudden aren't being retards. the cubs can just outspend you and the cards will always be in the hunt. where does that leave houston?

i will laugh as the astros continue to cling on to fat jesus (or is it elvis?) and carlos lee and roy oswalt in an effort to stay respectable, which is a task beyond this team right now. until mclane purges wade, the stros are stuck in the mud.


Last edited by parchy on Fri Mar 05, 2010 2:51 am, edited 1 time in total.

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 Post subject: Re: ** 2010 Official Houston Astros Thread**
PostPosted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 2:50 am 
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parchy wrote:
the disastros are going nowhere with wade. he's one of the last GM's who absolutely does not believe in sabermetrics, preferring to "feel out" prospects by the whims of his scouts, who give him numbers that he has no idea about. he was famous for being fed all manner of stats for a particular philly power hitter, then waving his hand in deference and asking, "does he look like a baseball player?" the scout, of course, didn't know what to answer. i know this happened because i know the scout.

theo epstein he is not. he will be fired within two years, probably only because mclane (baylor grad, woot) will give him a leash because the organization is in horrible shape and only jesus could resurrect whatever hopes this team has at a playoff run in the next 5 years. the only saving grace is probably that the NL central is generally up for grabs. but... and this is important... the reds are starting to come around. so are the goddamn pirates, who all the sudden have a loaded minor league system. the cubs can just outspend you and the cards will always be in the hunt. where does that leave houston?

i will laugh as the astros continue to cling on to fat jesus (or is it elvis?) and carlos lee and roy oswalt in an effort to stay respectable, which is a task beyond this team right now. until mclane purges wade, the stros are stuck in the mud.

Are you fucking serious?

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 Post subject: Re: ** 2010 Official Houston Astros Thread**
PostPosted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 2:51 am 
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Seriously, hiring Wade is one of the best things McClane has done in some time.

Terrible post, parchy.

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 Post subject: Re: ** 2010 Official Houston Astros Thread**
PostPosted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 2:53 am 
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thodoks wrote:
parchy wrote:
the disastros are going nowhere with wade. he's one of the last GM's who absolutely does not believe in sabermetrics, preferring to "feel out" prospects by the whims of his scouts, who give him numbers that he has no idea about. he was famous for being fed all manner of stats for a particular philly power hitter, then waving his hand in deference and asking, "does he look like a baseball player?" the scout, of course, didn't know what to answer. i know this happened because i know the scout.

theo epstein he is not. he will be fired within two years, probably only because mclane (baylor grad, woot) will give him a leash because the organization is in horrible shape and only jesus could resurrect whatever hopes this team has at a playoff run in the next 5 years. the only saving grace is probably that the NL central is generally up for grabs. but... and this is important... the reds are starting to come around. so are the goddamn pirates, who all the sudden have a loaded minor league system. the cubs can just outspend you and the cards will always be in the hunt. where does that leave houston?

i will laugh as the astros continue to cling on to fat jesus (or is it elvis?) and carlos lee and roy oswalt in an effort to stay respectable, which is a task beyond this team right now. until mclane purges wade, the stros are stuck in the mud.

Are you fucking serious?

Sabermetrics:Baseball::Phrenology:Psychology


The only reason there is any backlash at all against sabermetrics is because people remember what it was like before anybody used it. It's as mainstream and relevant as keeping a scorebook now.


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 Post subject: Re: ** 2010 Official Houston Astros Thread**
PostPosted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 2:59 am 
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parchy wrote:
thodoks wrote:
parchy wrote:
the disastros are going nowhere with wade. he's one of the last GM's who absolutely does not believe in sabermetrics, preferring to "feel out" prospects by the whims of his scouts, who give him numbers that he has no idea about. he was famous for being fed all manner of stats for a particular philly power hitter, then waving his hand in deference and asking, "does he look like a baseball player?" the scout, of course, didn't know what to answer. i know this happened because i know the scout.

theo epstein he is not. he will be fired within two years, probably only because mclane (baylor grad, woot) will give him a leash because the organization is in horrible shape and only jesus could resurrect whatever hopes this team has at a playoff run in the next 5 years. the only saving grace is probably that the NL central is generally up for grabs. but... and this is important... the reds are starting to come around. so are the goddamn pirates, who all the sudden have a loaded minor league system. the cubs can just outspend you and the cards will always be in the hunt. where does that leave houston?

i will laugh as the astros continue to cling on to fat jesus (or is it elvis?) and carlos lee and roy oswalt in an effort to stay respectable, which is a task beyond this team right now. until mclane purges wade, the stros are stuck in the mud.

Are you fucking serious?

Sabermetrics:Baseball::Phrenology:Psychology


The only reason there is any backlash at all against sabermetrics is because people remember what it was like before anybody used it. It's as mainstream and relevant as keeping a scorebook now.

Right. Because the test for whether something is effective is the extent to which it is adopted by 50% + 1.

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 Post subject: Re: ** 2010 Official Houston Astros Thread**
PostPosted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 3:03 am 
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that Wade is considered even a decent GM by anyone is only because he followed up Tim Purpura (and because he had some hand in the current Phillies lineup).

Purpura once traded Jason Hirsch (who once pitched for the Rockies while having a BROKEN FUCKING LEG) for Jason Jennings, who wouldn't warm up in the same bullpen as Wandy for fear of catching his monster mouth herp.

And one good piece of news: Carlos Lee's 6-year-no-trade-clause has a loophole, giving us like a month long period before his 5-10 status kicks in to trade him. It will be a long shot, it would obviously be to an AL team, and we'd have to pay a lot off his contract, but just getting him out of the way would be great. What a fat fucking asshole.

Brad Mills, our new manager, had talked to every one of the players during the offseason - except Lee. He wouldn't answer the phone. The only message the Astros got from Lee during the offseason was a two-word text. That was it before he showed up the day before he absolutely had to.

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 Post subject: Re: ** 2010 Official Houston Astros Thread**
PostPosted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 3:13 am 
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Kevin Costner wrote:
that Wade is considered even a decent GM by anyone is only because he followed up Tim Purpura (and because he had some hand in the current Phillies lineup).

Purpura once traded Jason Hirsch (who once pitched for the Rockies while having a BROKEN FUCKING LEG) for Jason Jennings, who wouldn't warm up in the same bullpen as Wandy for fear of catching his monster mouth herp.

And one good piece of news: Carlos Lee's 6-year-no-trade-clause has a loophole, giving us like a month long period before his 5-10 status kicks in to trade him. It will be a long shot, it would obviously be to an AL team, and we'd have to pay a lot off his contract, but just getting him out of the way would be great. What a fat fucking asshole.

Brad Mills, our new manager, had talked to every one of the players during the offseason - except Lee. He wouldn't answer the phone. The only message the Astros got from Lee during the offseason was a two-word text. That was it before he showed up the day before he absolutely had to.


i just can't figure out what they're trying to do. wade ambitiously tracks down brandon lyon, an overrated reliever, and wildly overpays for him. lyon is average in every respect and will likely get lost in the astros bullpen (but wade loves him some relievers!!). i mean, they bring in erstad last year, they sign pedro feliz... what is he building up for? i mean, brett myers? does he think this team is on the cusp or something?


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 Post subject: Re: ** 2010 Official Houston Astros Thread**
PostPosted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 3:25 am 
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parchy wrote:
Kevin Costner wrote:
that Wade is considered even a decent GM by anyone is only because he followed up Tim Purpura (and because he had some hand in the current Phillies lineup).

Purpura once traded Jason Hirsch (who once pitched for the Rockies while having a BROKEN FUCKING LEG) for Jason Jennings, who wouldn't warm up in the same bullpen as Wandy for fear of catching his monster mouth herp.

And one good piece of news: Carlos Lee's 6-year-no-trade-clause has a loophole, giving us like a month long period before his 5-10 status kicks in to trade him. It will be a long shot, it would obviously be to an AL team, and we'd have to pay a lot off his contract, but just getting him out of the way would be great. What a fat fucking asshole.

Brad Mills, our new manager, had talked to every one of the players during the offseason - except Lee. He wouldn't answer the phone. The only message the Astros got from Lee during the offseason was a two-word text. That was it before he showed up the day before he absolutely had to.


i just can't figure out what they're trying to do. wade ambitiously tracks down brandon lyon, an overrated reliever, and wildly overpays for him. lyon is average in every respect and will likely get lost in the astros bullpen (but wade loves him some relievers!!). i mean, they bring in erstad last year, they sign pedro feliz... what is he building up for? i mean, brett myers? does he think this team is on the cusp or something?


The way I figure it - Wade knows they are headed nowhere, besides maybe 3rd in the Central, but he probably has no choice. McLane refuses to believe that they aren't one or two pieces away from a pennant. He most likely forced Wade to make some kind of move for the back of the bullpen and Lyon and Lindstrom were available at the Winter meetings. Wade just has to bite his tongue until draft picks start panning out in 2-3 years.

Really, can you blame McLane? When we went to the World Series, granted we had Oswalt-Clemens-Pettitte, plus Lidge, but we also had Morgan Ensberg, Jason Lane, Adam Everett and Brad Ausmus.

As for Myers, I don't hate the signing just because it's either him or Brian Moehler.

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 Post subject: Re: ** 2010 Official Houston Astros Thread**
PostPosted: Fri Mar 05, 2010 5:40 am 
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I am not opposed to the Astros

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 Post subject: Re: ** 2010 Official Houston Astros Thread**
PostPosted: Wed Mar 10, 2010 12:20 am 
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just named my fantasy team "Berkmanage Trois"

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 Post subject: Re: ** 2010 Official Houston Astros Thread**
PostPosted: Sat Mar 13, 2010 5:34 pm 
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...and there's the curse of the Fantasy name. Berkman out 2-4 weeks with knee surgery.

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 Post subject: Re: ** 2010 Official Houston Astros Thread**
PostPosted: Fri Mar 26, 2010 3:41 pm 
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 Post subject: Re: ** 2010 Official Houston Astros Thread**
PostPosted: Fri Mar 26, 2010 3:48 pm 
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Oh snap, thodo rockin a 'stros cap!

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 Post subject: Re: ** 2010 Official Houston Astros Thread**
PostPosted: Thu Apr 01, 2010 8:29 pm 
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I wore my Astros cap yesterday and I got a compliment on it from the girl at My Fit Foods. I thought it was a little weird, considering I live in Houston.

p.s. I'm not the guy nor is it the cap from that picture thodoks posted.


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 Post subject: Re: ** 2010 Official Houston Astros Thread**
PostPosted: Thu Apr 01, 2010 8:46 pm 
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washing machine wrote:
I wore my Astros cap yesterday and I got a compliment on it from the girl at My Fit Foods. I thought it was a little weird, considering I live in Houston.

p.s. I'm not the guy nor is it the cap from that picture thodoks posted.


sounds like she was flirting with you..was she cute? would you consider leaving your lady for her?

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 Post subject: Re: ** 2010 Official Houston Astros Thread**
PostPosted: Thu Apr 01, 2010 8:56 pm 
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lennytheweedwhacker wrote:
washing machine wrote:
I wore my Astros cap yesterday and I got a compliment on it from the girl at My Fit Foods. I thought it was a little weird, considering I live in Houston.

p.s. I'm not the guy nor is it the cap from that picture thodoks posted.


sounds like she was flirting with you..was she cute? would you consider leaving your lady for her?

She was very cute, but didn't seem like my type. We did share a funny moment though. When you buy a dinner from MFF, apparently the girl that rings you up walks with you to your car and then hands it to you. The thing is, I live two blocks from there so I walked. It was my first time, so I didn't know she was going to walk me to my car. When we got to the end of the parking lot and the last car there, she and I had a weird moment and I was like, "well I walked here so can I have my chicken fettuccine? Nice meeting you."


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 Post subject: Re: ** 2010 Official Houston Astros Thread**
PostPosted: Thu Apr 01, 2010 8:58 pm 
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washing machine wrote:
lennytheweedwhacker wrote:
washing machine wrote:
I wore my Astros cap yesterday and I got a compliment on it from the girl at My Fit Foods. I thought it was a little weird, considering I live in Houston.

p.s. I'm not the guy nor is it the cap from that picture thodoks posted.


sounds like she was flirting with you..was she cute? would you consider leaving your lady for her?

She was very cute, but didn't seem like my type. We did share a funny moment though. When you buy a dinner from MFF, apparently the girl that rings you up walks with you to your car and then hands it to you. The thing is, I live two blocks from there so I walked. It was my first time, so I didn't know she was going to walk me to my car. When we got to the end of the parking lot and the last car there, she and I had a weird moment and I was like, "well I walked here so can I have my chicken fettuccine? Nice meeting you."


that's a pretty freakin' weird practice...i'd probably be too tempted to kidnap whoever walked me to my car

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 Post subject: Re: ** 2010 Official Houston Astros Thread**
PostPosted: Thu Apr 01, 2010 9:02 pm 
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lennytheweedwhacker wrote:
washing machine wrote:
lennytheweedwhacker wrote:
washing machine wrote:
I wore my Astros cap yesterday and I got a compliment on it from the girl at My Fit Foods. I thought it was a little weird, considering I live in Houston.

p.s. I'm not the guy nor is it the cap from that picture thodoks posted.


sounds like she was flirting with you..was she cute? would you consider leaving your lady for her?

She was very cute, but didn't seem like my type. We did share a funny moment though. When you buy a dinner from MFF, apparently the girl that rings you up walks with you to your car and then hands it to you. The thing is, I live two blocks from there so I walked. It was my first time, so I didn't know she was going to walk me to my car. When we got to the end of the parking lot and the last car there, she and I had a weird moment and I was like, "well I walked here so can I have my chicken fettuccine? Nice meeting you."


that's a pretty freakin' weird practice...i'd probably be too tempted to kidnap whoever walked me to my car

Maybe she did have a crush on me? It seems like a weird practice to me too, but it also seems weird and presumptuous to just walk a purchase to a customer's car if you have a crush on him. Plus, she seemed out of my league.


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