Clemens sells out

[rhineaux]

_ what is it ? is he just very arrogant/ thinks he is better than the average Joe? _

He DID go to UT.

[Dad04]

_ what is it ? is he just very arrogant/ thinks he is better than the average Joe? _

In several years in the golf business I dealt with literally dozens of extremely successful professional athletes, actors and other big wheels; from Bob Hope to Truck Robinson to Prince Ranier. Based on personal experience, he has an uncommon sense of entitlement that completely excludes common courtesy. He is just a jerk. Big league you in a heart beat.

[barry0]

The rocket is great. Sure he sold out, He is doing what everyone in the majors/ minors wish they had the power to do, which is go where the $ is. These athletes are there because they love the game and they get paid for it. Its no secret that players want the big $ contracts. So why is it a shock. Who honestly did not see this coming when Andy signed with the yanks. Roger is the only player who can not start the season, but get a huge deal 2 months into the season.I think its great. I did'nt blame the guy when he went to houston. IT was his choice. For the most part i dont think anyone got on his case about that then. But now he is back with the yankees and the haters start to rant. Its not that people dont really like the guy they just resent the fact that he is in new york.

[Kal]

_ The rocket is great. Sure he sold out, He is doing what everyone in the majors/ minors wish they had the power to do, which is go where the $ is. These athletes are there because they love the game and they get paid for it. Its no secret that players want the big $ contracts. So why is it a shock. Who honestly did not see this coming when Andy signed with the yanks. Roger is the only player who can not start the season, but get a huge deal 2 months into the season.I think its great. I did'nt blame the guy when he went to houston. IT was his choice. For the most part i dont think anyone got on his case about that then. But now he is back with the yankees and the haters start to rant. Its not that people dont really like the guy they just resent the fact that he is in new york. _

As an Astro fan I have mixed feelings about the rocket leaving. I'm sad that he went to another team, mad that he's with the Yanks, and kinda glad that the astros don't have to pay his outrageous salary anymore. While he did pitch great for them, he was sort of a curse. Our bats went cold nearly every time he pitched. But what really baffles me is why the astros with all this extra salary room only managed to get Carlos Lee and a washed up Mark Loretta. What the hell? They've been knowing for the past three years that Brandon Backe is a walking, ticking injury time bomb. So now, the team that once had the best pitching rotation in all of baseball now has one of the worst. Now that Bagwell's retired, clemmons and petitte are gone, and biggio is hopefully going to retire after this season, the Astros need to start spending some of that salary space. In my opinion, you revamp the entire club. Ausmus is on his last legs and can't avoid hitting into a double play to save his life. Time for a new catcher and possibly try to draft Lucroy for the distant future. We need to go and pick up two very decent starters to fill holes in the rotation. They need to get rid of Mike Lamb, Morgan Ensburg, and Jason Lane; all of whom's middle name is inconsistent. I think Morgan's mom's name is "whiff". I've never seen some one strike out so much. Time to get a LEGITIMATE center fielder and get a third baseman that can make contact. Move burke back to 2nd because he's running around like a chicken with its head cut off in the out field. This team went from being in the world series to being just plain abismal. You can't keep sending a AA to AAA roster out there and expect those guys to make the playoffs. And for goodness sake...Give Roy O whatever he wants to make him happy. He and Burkman are the only two all stars that team has left.

[rhineaux]

_ As an Astro fan I have mixed feelings about the rocket leaving. I'm sad that he went to another team, mad that he's with the Yanks, and kinda glad that the astros don't have to pay his outrageous salary anymore. While he did pitch great for them, he was sort of a curse. Our bats went cold nearly every time he pitched. But what really baffles me is why the astros with all this extra salary room only managed to get Carlos Lee and a washed up Mark Loretta. What the hell? They've been knowing for the past three years that Brandon Backe is a walking, ticking injury time bomb. So now, the team that once had the best pitching rotation in all of baseball now has one of the worst. Now that Bagwell's retired, clemmons and petitte are gone, and biggio is hopefully going to retire after this season, the Astros need to start spending some of that salary space. In my opinion, you revamp the entire club. Ausmus is on his last legs and can't avoid hitting into a double play to save his life. Time for a new catcher and possibly try to draft Lucroy for the distant future. We need to go and pick up two very decent starters to fill holes in the rotation. They need to get rid of Mike Lamb, Morgan Ensburg, and Jason Lane; all of whom's middle name is inconsistent. I think Morgan's mom's name is "whiff". I've never seen some one strike out so much. Time to get a LEGITIMATE center fielder and get a third baseman that can make contact. Move burke back to 2nd because he's running around like a chicken with its head cut off in the out field. This team went from being in the world series to being just plain abismal. You can't keep sending a AA to AAA roster out there and expect those guys to make the playoffs. And for goodness sake...Give Roy O whatever he wants to make him happy. He and Burkman are the only two all stars that team has left. _

Come back down to earth, there, Kal. I agree that the team is getting older, but, at least they are still competing for the post-season. Maybe that's only because the NL Central is usually not that good, but they are competing nonetheless. But at least they are going through a few years of less than average play while they rebuild, and aren't going through a full rebuilding year or two when they only win 50 games. and I agree that Clemens not being here isn't neccesarilly a bad thing, but i just wish he was retired rather than with someone else, esp the Yank's.

But you gotta lay off these other guys. Loretta, so far, has turned out to be just as big a pickup as carlos Lee. he can play every position in the infield, and he hits the ball. And, Biggio had 25+ hits in April. The only reason Burke is playing so horribly, and got sent down, is because he's never played CF before, and they were trying to find a place to put him and keep Hunter Pence in AAA a little longer.

And those minor leaguers you're talking about? Hunter Pence? Luke Scott? These guys are the future. HP is a freaking stud. He is fast, he can hit, he can catch, he can do it all, and he will be a star in the majors. Luke Scott is young, but his game is improving. And, i am sure that they have a few others down in the minors that they're preparing to bring up.

And by the way, Berkman, one of the "stars" of the team, only has 4 extra base hits this season. He REALLY needs to get on track.

Think of it this way. Our OF is pretty nice with Scott, Pence, and Lee. they are young, but nice. As for the infield, that will work itself out. If they can get Loretta on for a couple years to play third while they can mold someone else, and Burke will come back and take over for Biggio when he leaves. That leaves Big Puma at first, and Adam Everett, a great SS. This team might not make it this year, but they have the oppurtunity to be pretty good in the next few years.

[Cajunsmike]

_ As an Astro fan I have mixed feelings about the rocket leaving. I'm sad that he went to another team, mad that he's with the Yanks, and kinda glad that the astros don't have to pay his outrageous salary anymore. While he did pitch great for them, he was sort of a curse. Our bats went cold nearly every time he pitched. But what really baffles me is why the astros with all this extra salary room only managed to get Carlos Lee and a washed up Mark Loretta. What the hell? They've been knowing for the past three years that Brandon Backe is a walking, ticking injury time bomb. So now, the team that once had the best pitching rotation in all of baseball now has one of the worst. Now that Bagwell's retired, clemmons and petitte are gone, and biggio is hopefully going to retire after this season, the Astros need to start spending some of that salary space. In my opinion, you revamp the entire club. Ausmus is on his last legs and can't avoid hitting into a double play to save his life. Time for a new catcher and possibly try to draft Lucroy for the distant future. We need to go and pick up two very decent starters to fill holes in the rotation. They need to get rid of Mike Lamb, Morgan Ensburg, and Jason Lane; all of whom's middle name is inconsistent. I think Morgan's mom's name is "whiff". I've never seen some one strike out so much. Time to get a LEGITIMATE center fielder and get a third baseman that can make contact. Move burke back to 2nd because he's running around like a chicken with its head cut off in the out field. This team went from being in the world series to being just plain abismal. You can't keep sending a AA to AAA roster out there and expect those guys to make the playoffs. And for goodness sake...Give Roy O whatever he wants to make him happy. He and Burkman are the only two all stars that team has left. _

The Astros do not have one of the worst starting pitching staffs in baseball. In fact, they lead the league in quality starts. Their offense is inconsistent. I think that is because two guys who are relatively young in Pence and Scott are asked to carry a big load of the offense. They may become more productive with experience. They both had big hits in last night's win over the Reds.

[Kal]

_ Come back down to earth, there, Kal. I agree that the team is getting older, but, at least they are still competing for the post-season. Maybe that's only because the NL Central is usually not that good, but they are competing nonetheless. But at least they are going through a few years of less than average play while they rebuild, and aren't going through a full rebuilding year or two when they only win 50 games. and I agree that Clemens not being here isn't neccesarilly a bad thing, but i just wish he was retired rather than with someone else, esp the Yank's.

But you gotta lay off these other guys. Loretta, so far, has turned out to be just as big a pickup as carlos Lee. he can play every position in the infield, and he hits the ball. And, Biggio had 25+ hits in April. The only reason Burke is playing so horribly, and got sent down, is because he's never played CF before, and they were trying to find a place to put him and keep Hunter Pence in AAA a little longer.

And those minor leaguers you're talking about? Hunter Pence? Luke Scott? These guys are the future. HP is a freaking stud. He is fast, he can hit, he can catch, he can do it all, and he will be a star in the majors. Luke Scott is young, but his game is improving. And, i am sure that they have a few others down in the minors that they're preparing to bring up.

And by the way, Berkman, one of the "stars" of the team, only has 4 extra base hits this season. He REALLY needs to get on track.

Think of it this way. Our OF is pretty nice with Scott, Pence, and Lee. they are young, but nice. As for the infield, that will work itself out. If they can get Loretta on for a couple years to play third while they can mold someone else, and Burke will come back and take over for Biggio when he leaves. That leaves Big Puma at first, and Adam Everett, a great SS. This team might not make it this year, but they have the oppurtunity to be pretty good in the next few years. _

Hey, that's my mistake, I forgot to include Luke Scott. You are right he is a major league player. He has a bright future ahead of him. And I have no problem with Chris Burke. I think once biggio retires he should permantly be moved to second base. That's his home. He a very decent hitter. Yes Berkman is in a slump but he'll come out of it. The guys I don't really like are Ensberg, Lane, and Lamb. I just don't think these guys are MLB grade players. As far as Ausmus, he is one of the best catchers in all of baseball, the guy just struggles at the plate. Look, there are still some positives in this club, but age is catching up to them and I think we should spend that extra salary room to get some players that can play for the next 5 to 8 years. That's all.

[rhineaux]

_ Hey, that's my mistake, I forgot to include Luke Scott. You are right he is a major league player. He has a bright future ahead of him. And I have no problem with Chris Burke. I think once biggio retires he should permantly be moved to second base. That's his home. He a very decent hitter. Yes Berkman is in a slump but he'll come out of it. The guys I don't really like are Ensberg, Lane, and Lamb. I just don't think these guys are MLB grade players. As far as Ausmus, he is one of the best catchers in all of baseball, the guy just struggles at the plate. Look, there are still some positives in this club, but age is catching up to them and I think we should spend that extra salary room to get some players that can play for the next 5 to 8 years. That's all. _

I agree with getting a few more players for the future. but the Astro's seem to be trying to do it through the farm, and not through free agency. Its seemed to work for them recently, look at Pence, Berkman, Scott, Burke, Oswalt, etc.

The only one you don't like that i do is Mike Lamb. He isn't an everyday player, but he can hold down 3B very well every fourth day or so, and he can swing it a little as well. Plus he can play first a little too, if he needs to come in to get a PH, which he does a lot, and is successful a lot.

[CajunGuru]

_ I agree with getting a few more players for the future. but the Astro's seem to be trying to do it through the farm, and not through free agency. Its seemed to work for them recently, look at Pence, Berkman, Scott, Burke, Oswalt, etc.

The only one you don't like that i do is Mike Lamb. He isn't an everyday player, but he can hold down 3B very well every fourth day or so, and he can swing it a little as well. Plus he can play first a little too, if he needs to come in to get a PH, which he does a lot, and is successful a lot. _

Burke is on the bench for lack of production and Scott has only performed for a half of season. The Astros do have a few pitching propsects at AAA and AA, but other then Anderson no bats. Their better position prospects are in A ball and they are not doing great so far this year. There is no help on the horizon for position players. The Astros would be better off building for next year and I think that is what you are starting to see with Pence in the lineup.
They have too many holes in the lineup to challenge for a wildcard. Ausmus and Everett are great with the gloves, but no help in the batters box. Biggio is not a lead off hitter and hasn't been for at least four years. This team is going nowhere and would be better off unloading Lidge,Lamb and several others for propects during the trading deadline.

BaseballThinkFactory.org has an update on the farm system for NL Central clubs.
www.baseballthinkfactory....l_central/

Houston

There’s not much positive news coming out of the Astro farm teams, with the exception of Hunter Pence.

AAA Round Rock (PCL)

Record: 14-17, 4th in PCL American South

Roster moves: P Travis Driskill (from DL), P Travis Phelps (from Corpus Christi), OF Tim Raines (from Corpus Christi), P Scott Sauerbeck (from DL), P Matt Albers (to Astros), P Chance Douglass (to Corpus Christi), P Fernando Nieve (to DL), OF Hunter Pence (to Astros), P Stephen Randolph (to Astros/from Astros)

Moving up the charts: Pence (.341/.398/.588 before being recalled), RP Paul Estrada (see below)

Struggling: Nieve (6.23 ERA, 2.08 WHIP, 15 BB/13 K)

Comments:
It’s been a long time coming, but: Estrada, who fanned 134 in 88 2/3 IP a year ago at Corpus Christi and allowed only 61 hits in the process, has fanned 14 in 14 2/3 IP this year. He’s also walked 7 and allowed 14 hits but still has managed a 1.84 ERA. Estrada has been around since ‘99, signing as a 16-YO out of Venezuela. He came to the States in 2002, didn’t get to full-season ball until 2005, but his 2006 showing with the Hooks got him onto the 40-man in the offseason. BA rated his curveball as the best in Houston’s organization.

AA Corpus Christi (TL)

Record: 8-22, 4th in TL South

Roster moves: P Brian Gordon (from extended spring), C Jeff Mackor (from extended spring), P Kyle Middleton (signed as free agent), P Felipe Paulino (from extended spring), OF Beau Torbert (from extended spring), P Rick White (from Astros on minor league rehab), P Jimmy Barthmaier (to DL), P Chance Douglass (to extended spring), P Tip Fairchild (to DL), P Enyelbert Soto (to Salem)

Moving up the charts: SP Troy Patton (2.80 ERA), RP Ryan Thompson (21/2 K/BB in 16 2/3 IP).

Struggling: Barthmaier (9.26 ERA before being disabled), C Lou Santangelo (.236/.304/.292)

Comments:
Corpus Christi is a pitchers’ park in a hitters’ league, but Patton has more than held his own away from Whataburger Field. Thompson just keeps getting guys out while pitching in middle relief, as he has throughout his minor league career. Santangelo flashed some power in Salem a year ago, but so far has shown very little in AA. Jonny Ash keeps hitting and playing a solid if unspectacular 2B, but his stature (he’s generously listed at 5’9") works against him.

Advanced A Salem (CarL)

Record: 13-14, 3rd in CarL Southern Division

Roster moves: P Ryan Owens (to extended spring)

Moving up the charts: SP Brad James (0.80 ERA in 33 2/3 IP)

Struggling: OF Mitch Einertson (.200/.302/.291), SP Brian Bogusevic (4.94 ERA, 18/12 K/BB in 23 2/3 IP)

Comments:
James isn’t fancy, but he’s been getting the job done the last two years. The sinkerballer thrives on getting hitters to beat the ball into the ground. Einertson’s 1105 OPS as an 18-YO at Greeneville three years ago is looking more and more like a stone fluke. 2005 1st rounder Bogusevic has yet to show that he can get anyone out consistently in the minors. Chris Salamida, a 2006 13th rounder who was 10-1 with a 1.06 ERA at Tri-City a year ago and bypassed low-A, started slowly but pitched a gem on Saturday in Kinston, taking a perfect game into the ninth inning before giving up a walk and a single and being lifted.

Low A Lexington (SAL)

Record: 14-16, 5th in SAL Northern Division

Roster moves: P Sergio Severino (from extended spring), P Bud Norris (to DL), C James Goethals (to extended spring)

Moving up the charts: OF Jimmy VanOstrand (.341/.389/.557), INF Chris Johnson (.287/.333/.465), SP/RP David Qualben (2.12 ERA, 27/5 K/BB in 29 2/3 IP)

Struggling: 3B Koby Clemens (.237/.330/.382), C Max Sapp (.231/.363/.277)

Comments:
Lexington’s a good hitting park, and both VanOstrand and Johnson have done most of their damage at Applebee’s Park, so it’s probably wise to exercise some caution; neither hit well in the NY-P a year ago. Qualben, on the other hand, is carrying forward a solid debut. Sapp’s performance, a year after being selected #1 by Houston in the draft, has to be a big disappointment; he didn’t hit well in his debut at Tri-City and hasn’t hit well this year. He is only 19, on the other hand, and is making contact and showing a good batting eye at the plate.

[rhineaux]

_
Struggling: Nieve (6.23 ERA, 2.08 WHIP, 15 BB/13 K)


Struggling: Barthmaier (9.26 ERA before being disabled), C Lou Santangelo (.236/.304/.292)

Fantastic stuff. Nieve is the starter tonight, and Santangelo just got popped for fifty games for juicing. Awesome.