sfaJack 0 Report post Posted July 1, 2004 Relax, guys. The Cubs are just biding their time until they get the chance to unleash the fury that is Michael Wurtz. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Czech Republic 0 Report post Posted July 1, 2004 SAMMY!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
geniusMoment 0 Report post Posted July 1, 2004 I get the feeling Mr. Williams is on his way out. I just do not see the Astros winning this division with that bullpen. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
treble 0 Report post Posted July 1, 2004 The Jays destroyed the Rays today, 14-0, with 20 hits. Not one of them was a home run, though, and there's no one on the team in double digits in that category. To be fair, though, either Delgado or Wells would probably be there if they were healthy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
geniusMoment 0 Report post Posted July 1, 2004 Dunn now has 24 home runs and got 2 more RBI's today. Its weird, there is a chance the Reds could have both the leading hitter, Casey, and the leading HR guy Dunn. Whats even more strange is if that happened before the all star game there is a decent chance the NL all star team would not have the leagues leading hitter or leading HR hitter. When is the last time that, if ever, happened? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sfaJack 0 Report post Posted July 1, 2004 I get the feeling Mr. Williams is on his way out. I just do not see the Astros winning this division with that bullpen. You're probably right, but it ain't Jimy's fault they're struggling. The Astros' offense has been asleep for at least a month now and there really isn't much he can do about that. Hell, if it wasn't for Beltran, they'd have almost zero offense these last six games. Oh, and Jeff Bagwell is looking REALLY bad right now. Prior ate him alive today. Bagwell really shouldn't be playing everyday right now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Bruiser Chong 0 Report post Posted July 1, 2004 Glad to see that the longball bailed the Cubs out again. I thought their pen did an all right job after Merker's one pitch. The Stros' pen looks pretty banged up too, and I thought it was odd to put Lidge out their in a game that could go on for a while after he had thrown two long innings the day before. Granted, you go with your hot hand against the heart of the opposing lineup when the game's on the line, but considering how much he threw yesterday, I don't think it was a smart move. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vern Gagne 0 Report post Posted July 1, 2004 Damn the ChiSox just swept the Twins, even though Johan Santana pitched one hell of a game. Fuckers. It's sad when a 21 year old rookie is the team's most disciplined hitter. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
geniusMoment 0 Report post Posted July 1, 2004 Is Bagwells shoulder ruining him at the plate as well, or is it just old age? Its sad seeing him at the plate now compared to just a couple of years ago. I am a reds fan but I feel bad for anyone like Bagwell who plays for one team for your entire career and never gets to make it to the big time. I really thought they had something when they traded for Randy Johnson, I have a gut feeling it is time to blow up the Astros and start over. They still have a solid foundation in Oswalt, Miller and Andy, they just need new hitters. Maybe getting rid of the salaries of Kent, Bagwell, Biggio and Hidalgo (already gone) will enable them to build the team around Beltran and Berkman. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Vern Gagne 0 Report post Posted July 1, 2004 1998 Was the most disapointing year. The Astros had their best team, and ran into Kevin Brown. The achilles for the Bagwell/Biggio teams has always been hard throwing righties. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sfaJack 0 Report post Posted July 1, 2004 Is Bagwells shoulder ruining him at the plate as well, or is it just old age? The shoulder. Supposedly, he has trouble lifting his arm above shoulder level. It's making throwing very difficult for him, too. I can't count the number of times he's opted to just step on first instead of throwing to second (or third) and try to get two. I have a gut feeling it is time to blow up the Astros and start over. They still have a solid foundation in Oswalt, Miller and Andy, they just need new hitters. This is their one last shot with the current group. I would expect the Astros to look vastly different next year. Maybe getting rid of the salaries of Kent, Bagwell, Biggio and Hidalgo (already gone) will enable them to build the team around Beltran and Berkman. Kent = $10 million of deferred money due; it's either all due next year, or split out over the next two years, so he's not really "gone." Biggio=they'll pick up his $3 mil option. It would cost $1 mil to get rid of him, but they'll bring him back. Bagwell=they're stuck with him. They can't just trade him because he's a 10/5 guy, and besides that, who would take him at about $18 mil a year? You'd have to be fucking insane. Don't expect Beltran to be re-signed, though they'd be smart to do it RIGHT NOW. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
NoCalMike 0 Report post Posted July 1, 2004 The A's complete the three game sweep over the Angels.......and with a Texas loss, will only be 1/2 game out of firs place........WHOO~! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Real F'n Show Report post Posted July 1, 2004 Damn the ChiSox just swept the Twins, even though Johan Santana pitched one hell of a game. Fuckers. It's sad when a 21 year old rookie is the team's most disciplined hitter. Joe Mauer- All-Star in 2005 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted July 2, 2004 Damn the ChiSox just swept the Twins, even though Johan Santana pitched one hell of a game. Fuckers. It's sad when a 21 year old rookie is the team's most disciplined hitter. What's sadder is that their best hitter is currently hitting 323/395/629 in the International League while they pay their current first baseman $3.5 Million to hit .234 and slug .330. Free Justin Morneau! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted July 2, 2004 Bagwell=they're stuck with him. They can't just trade him because he's a 10/5 guy, and besides that, who would take him at about $18 mil a year? You'd have to be fucking insane. Bagwell is due $15 Million next season, $17 Mil in 2006, and $18 Mil in 2007 (or a $7 Million buyout). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Real F'n Show Report post Posted July 2, 2004 Damn the ChiSox just swept the Twins, even though Johan Santana pitched one hell of a game. Fuckers. It's sad when a 21 year old rookie is the team's most disciplined hitter. What's sadder is that their best hitter is currently hitting 323/395/629 in the International League while they pay their current first baseman $3.5 Million to hit .234 and slug .330. Free Justin Morneau! Doug Mienkiewicz- underrated defensive 1st baseman. He just can't hit. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted July 2, 2004 Doug Mienkiewicz- underrated defensive 1st baseman. He just can't hit. Mientkiewicz is a perfect example of how fans can overrate defense. He's a great first baseman, there's no denying that. But he can't possibly make so many plays that your average first baseman would not make to justify his lack of offense. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
geniusMoment 0 Report post Posted July 2, 2004 Will Bagwell continue to play? I understand you would have to be nuts to leave that kind of money on the table and I understand his ex wife, Shauna, took him to the cleaners but damn, he is already rich. I am guessing there is no surgery for this shoulder ailment. The thing is, some clubs have insurance on certain players with big contracts, where if they do not play in so many games the insurance picks up the salary. If his shoulder pain gets worse perhaps the astros could collect on that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted July 2, 2004 Bagwell's hitting 271/385/450. He's not hitting at his established level anymore, but he's not a liability at this point. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
geniusMoment 0 Report post Posted July 2, 2004 For 15 million a year I consider that a liability. Lets put it this way, if Bagwell is too injured to continue they could easily sign Beltran. Do not get me wrong, I am not wishing injury on Bagwell, I am just stating I think the money would be better spent in Beltran. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Czech Republic 0 Report post Posted July 2, 2004 I get the feeling Mr. Williams is on his way out. I just do not see the Astros winning this division with that bullpen. I don't see the Cubs winning it with our bullpen either...keep your fingers crossed for Braves losses, for each one brings them further out of contention and John Smoltz closer to the north side. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the pinjockey 0 Report post Posted July 2, 2004 Wanted to mention that Ryan Howard hit homers number 30 and 31 for AA Reading tonight. Only 2 shy of Greg Luzinski's Reading record. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted July 2, 2004 For 15 million a year I consider that a liability. Lets put it this way, if Bagwell is too injured to continue they could easily sign Beltran. Do not get me wrong, I am not wishing injury on Bagwell, I am just stating I think the money would be better spent in Beltran. Anyone who can hold his weight against big league pitching is far from too injured to continue. For me, liability status is when you don't play good enough to justify your position on the roster. At the very least, Bagwell is less costly than Mo Vaughn. As an aside, why is Jeff Bagwell singled out, while Brad Ausmus hits like crap, and you don't hear about it? Ausmus is costing the Astros a lot of runs with his lack of production. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted July 2, 2004 Wanted to mention that Ryan Howard hit homers number 30 and 31 for AA Reading tonight. Only 2 shy of Greg Luzinski's Reading record. Why is Howard still in AA? Howard is alot like David Ortiz. He's a tad overrated, but he could be a good regular someday. The problem is the Phillies won't have an opening at first base for quite awhile. He's decent trade bait. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
EVIL~! alkeiper 0 Report post Posted July 2, 2004 Minor transaction note. The Braves called up Tim Drew to the majors, so the Braves now have two brothers active on the same team. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sfaJack 0 Report post Posted July 2, 2004 As an aside, why is Jeff Bagwell singled out, while Brad Ausmus hits like crap, and you don't hear about it? You probably know this, but the generally accepted line on that around here is that Ausmus has never been much of a hitter, thus nobody expects him to put up big numbers; any offense you get from him is a bonus. Ausmus is accepted for his "great defense" and his "ability to make pitchers better," whatever that means. (Note: Ausmus's "great" defense barely equals 30% of basestealers thrown out.) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
the pinjockey 0 Report post Posted July 2, 2004 The only thing I can think of in regards to Howard is they just want to let him rack up some stats to drive up the trade value. With Thome clogging first there really is no rush to promote him and get him ready for the big leagues, so let him smash some records and then sell high. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Smell the ratings!!! Report post Posted July 2, 2004 Ausmus is my Hacking Mass MVP so far. Too bad the rest of my team has all become all stars. I mean Alex Sanchez? Jesus, I thought that one was a layup. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
geniusMoment 0 Report post Posted July 2, 2004 I am not a fan of Ausmus either, its just that Bagwell takes up so much payroll. I am not sure how much Ausmus makes, but it is probably way too much. It just seems as if the Astros have so many good parts, but it does not seem to equal a whole good team, I am not sure why. Maybe I am wrong. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Precious Roy 0 Report post Posted July 2, 2004 Bagwell will have off-season surgery, he has to. I'm amazed he's playing through it and I do think he's become a liability the way he's playing, but you can't fault the guy for playing through the pain in what might be this team's last shot. I can't believe they let both Wagner and Dotel go though. Lidge is great, but the three of them together were lights out last year. And speaking of Beltran, nobody thinks he's reupping with Houston, so where does he go? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
