2007 Predictions

[nolanryan5714]

So, what are you all thinking right now? With our playoff chances basically impossible at this point, I'm wondering how our team will look next year.

Starting pitching will be led by the great Roy Oswalt.
However, I don't see the "Big Three" returning. No Clemens (I think he'll retire), and Pettitte probably won't come back if Roger doesn't.

The bullpen crew shouldn't change that much. Despite Lidge's ERA and heartbreaking blown saves this year, I hope (and believe) that he'll return. So should Wheeler, Qualls, Springer, and Borkowski, and Miller (what a great year Miller had).

The offense will ABSOLUTELY include the phenom kid, Luke Scott, in the outfield.

Biggio will finish next year and collect his 3,000th hit and beyond.

Berkman will continue at first base.

Willy T. will continue his patrol of center field.

Ausmus is another definite to return.


This said, what about the rest? I see a team in transition, and although it saddens me, I understand the need. Up on the trading / dealing block, I see Ensberg, Lane, Everett, and even Burke. Oh, not to mention Lamb, whom I've always thought should be an everyday player.

Our rotation will be strange next year. I hope Hirsch and Buchholz will perform well, and Wandy needs to step it up.

Input?
(BTW, I un-stuck this thread - 6/11/2007.)

[strosfan]

I think you make a lot of good points. I have always thought Lamb is an everyday player. How can we have a guy that hits over .300 sitting on the bench? We need to deal Ensberg and Lamb can play 3rd everyday.

I disagree however about Lidge. I feel he's finished with his "good stuff" here in Houston. He needs to go to AL perhaps or anywhere but here frankly. We just don't have the offense to afford his mistakes like other teams do.

Outfield- Luuuuke, Taveras, and I'd like to aqcuire a big bat in the offseason for the other spot.
Berkman -1st
Biggio - 2nd at home and Burke splits with Bidge on the road(Bidge will still get his 3,000.
Everitt - SS
Lamb - 3rd
Ausmus - C

[nolanryan5714]

Originally Posted by strosfan

I think you make a lot of good points. I have always thought Lamb is an everyday player. How can we have a guy that hits over .300 sitting on the bench? We need to deal Ensberg and Lamb can play 3rd everyday.

Well, again, unfortunate topic...but I was thinking that Huff would take 3rd. Lamb's a better fit at first, IMO. Also, to add more justification about him playing every day, his history of hitting lefty vs. lefty should be enough! In the event that we DO keep Lamb (I REALLY hope that we do), then my lineup would take a bit of adjusting:

OF: Taveras, Berkman, Scott
1B: Lamb
2B: Biggio (and yes, if we keep Burke, I agree it should be a split season between the two)
SS: Everett??? I just don't know. I love the guy, and his defense is stellar - tops in all of MLB, based upon some reports I've heard about this year - but the bat really lacks.
3B: Huff. I really, really love Morgan, but I can't see a justification for his returning next year.
C: Ausmus

I disagree however about Lidge. I feel he's finished with his "good stuff" here in Houston. He needs to go to AL perhaps or anywhere but here frankly. We just don't have the offense to afford his mistakes like other teams do.

That's true to a point. His ERA was horrible, yes, and maybe his psyche has been permanently affected...but I am willing to go out on a limb and say he had a very bad off-year.

[PopTop]

Originally Posted by nolanryan5714

Up on the trading / dealing block, I see Ensberg, Lane, Everett, and even Burke.

Ensberg and Lane will definitely be shopped around. Everett as well, but I don't think they will feel as pressed to deal him as they do Ensberg and Lane.

Burke is staying put, at least that's my feeling. He's too valuable with the versatility he's shown in the middle of the diamond and in the outfield.

I'm not sold on Huff. I can't really think of one position in the field that I'm comfortable with his defense.

Put me in the same boat with strosfan on looking to maybe see what an AL team would offer on Lidge. I'm as hopeful as the next guy he can get it back together, but a change of scenery would do him well, I believe, dependent on who we were going to get back in return. Lidge should bring a solid everyday player or starting pitcher, again, my opinion.

The club has to set a deadline on dealing with Clemens this winter. I'd love to have him back, think he's proven he can still pitch at a high level despite his age, and we know he sells ducats. But we can't afford to have him waffle about on coming back and we can't afford to have him just show up a couple of weeks before the All-Star Game again. If it's my deadline to set, I tell Roger let us know no later than Dec 1.

Maybe make a run for Aramis Ramirez to take over at 3B, assuming he's available. We've got to deal Ensberg first, however. Signing A-Ram and then trying to trade Ensberg will decrease Mo's trade value that is probably already low due to his inconsistency and what I've long described as a very apathetical way of going about his business.

[EvanAparra]

Originally Posted by nolanryan5714

Well, again, unfortunate topic...but I was thinking that Huff would take 3rd. Lamb's a better fit at first, IMO. Also, to add more justification about him playing every day, his history of hitting lefty vs. lefty should be enough! In the event that we DO keep Lamb (I REALLY hope that we do), then my lineup would take a bit of adjusting:

OF: Taveras, Berkman, Scott
1B: Lamb
2B: Biggio (and yes, if we keep Burke, I agree it should be a split season between the two)
SS: Everett??? I just don't know. I love the guy, and his defense is stellar - tops in all of MLB, based upon some reports I've heard about this year - but the bat really lacks.
3B: Huff. I really, really love Morgan, but I can't see a justification for his returning next year.
C: Ausmus



That's true to a point. His ERA was horrible, yes, and maybe his psyche has been permanently affected...but I am willing to go out on a limb and say he had a very bad off-year.

I really do think its time for the Stros to go out and get another Catcher/OF. Either or. Ausmus is good defensively, but the guy just can't hit. There isnt room for three people at the bottom of the batting line up that cant hit over .240. From Everetts position, i think his D is well worth the average he hits for.

To give an example, here are the Winshares for both players.


Batting - Everett - 3.1
Ausmus - -0.7

Fielding - Everett - 7.4
Ausmus - 6.6

Total Winshares - Everett - 10
Ausmus - 6

Everett is worth just as much as Biggio is, while Ausmus is worth about as much as Wilson was.

As bad as everyone thinks Ensberg has been, his OBP is still .390, which is second on the team. He still hit 22 HRs, which im guessing is second on the team. Ensberg is also 3rd on the team with 14 win shares, behind only Oswalt and Berkman.

His defense has been pretty much outstanding, as ESPN's Zone Rating has him as the second best 3B in the NL, also in front of Mike Lowell, whom ive been watching all year, and if Ensberg is above Lowell, then he must be pretty darn good.

The only problem with keeping Ensberg would be that you have two ML quality starters in Lamb and Huff, and one of them would have to sit on the bench. However, as bad as that might sound, it really isnt a bad thing. Thats a great option to have if someone gets hurt, and it a pitcher is needed during the season, having one of those guys as trade bait is always a good thing.

[Brandon1537]

Just wondering anyone think it's a possibilty Astros might have a chance at getting Soriano?

[EvanAparra]

Originally Posted by Brandon1537

Just wondering anyone think it's a possibilty Astros might have a chance at getting Soriano?

I'm sure they have a chance, but I think Carlos Lee is much more likely.

[nolanryan5714]

I really think Carlos Lee is going to be the "BIG BANG" we need and will get.

TWO "B's" for a BUCK. Call me corny, 'cause I am.

[EvanAparra]

Originally Posted by nolanryan5714

I really think Carlos Lee is going to be the "BIG BANG" we need and will get.

TWO "B's" for a BUCK. Call me corny, 'cause I am.

I hope they get Lee, just as long as its not ANOTHER guy whose last name starts with a B. I've really gotten tired of that damn buzzing.

[nolanryan5714]

Originally Posted by EvanAparra

I hope they get Lee, just as long as its not ANOTHER guy whose last name starts with a B. I've really gotten tired of that damn buzzing.

Lee doesn't start with a "B." It only rhymes with "bee."

I'm not that corny.

[EvanAparra]

Originally Posted by nolanryan5714

I'm not that corny.

I beg to differ.

Do you see the Astros going out and getting a starting pitcher? If so, who?

I've also heard of a possible Brad Lidge trade to Boston, i'm trying to figure out who Boston would send here....

[PopTop]

I predict that before the end of April, my wife will ground me and not allow me to watch the Astros for a week because I've already used up my season allowance saying, "Gol-dangit, Ensberg! You suck!"

[EvanAparra]

Originally Posted by PopTop

I predict that before the end of April, my wife will ground me and not allow me to watch the Astros for a week because I've already used up my season allowance saying, "Gol-dangit, Ensberg! You suck!"

I predict that after hitting .193 in April, Astros fans will want Luke Scott to be sent down to Triple-A. As you can see, I wasn't happy the last time he was sent down.

[nolanryan5714]

Howdy, fellas...nope, I'm not gone (sorry for any "scare," Pop! )

Well, my predictions have obviously changed considerably. At THIS point, I see:

1B: Berkman (Lamb)
2B: Biggio (Home mostly), Loretta
3B: Ensberg (Lamb)
SS: Everett
C: Ausmus (duh!), with Quintero on the 5th day thing...
OF: Lee, Burke, Lane, and Scott mostly rotating on the basis of who(m) is hottest


SP's: Roy O, Woody, Wandy, Nieve, Sampson (with a big hope pinned on the tall kid)

RP's: See Roster

Closer: Brad Lidge. Yes, he will return to form!


Bench: We shall see, still.

[tadlock11]

Hunter is making a case for himself thus far in spring training.

You may want to add Jennings into your starting rotation.

It won't happen but this may be a productive line-up (next year?)

CF - Hunter Pence
2B - Chris Burke
RF - Luke Scott
1B - Lance Berkman
LF - Carlos Lee
3B - Morgan Ensberg
SS - Mark Lorretta
C - Brad Ausmus
P -