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Astros Will they win in 2011 Thread (Tepid Stove no longer on) (1 Viewer)

'Brady Marino said:
Lance Berkman really likes playing you guys, huh? ;)
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He is like the ex who got lazy and fat because she thought you became a jerk. Once she got to somebody she gives a darn about, she workouts (getting back into better shape than even she expected) and reminds you about it every time she picks up the kids in her Benz. You want to get mad at her, but you actually did become a bum and really just have to take it.
 
Probably the only player who should regularly starting on anyone's FB team, Hunter Pence is day to day with a sprained shoulder. does not look like he will go the DL, but more likely a no go in Rangers series.

 
Might be late for this crowd, but for those in leagues with future prospects. Jose Altuve 2b who has had two terrific offensive seasons is now in AA and still killing it. Here is the post future's wrap-up.

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=14491

Jose Altuve, 2B, Astros

I told you he is small, and I told you he can hit. Altuve's first single was a little cheap, coming on a hard ground ball that a big-league third baseman would have had a better shot at making, but he also ripped a Shelby Miller fastball up the middle, made one out on a hard line drive to left, and even looked good in turning the double play. I remain proud about sneaking him on to my Astros Top 11 entering the season, and in retrospect that ranking was far too low. “Think about it,” said one scout in attendance on Sunday. “Now that Jordan Lyles is in the big leagues, you can at least make a legitimate argument that Altuve is the top prospect in the system.”

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/card/card.php?id=ALTUVE19900506A

http://houston.astros.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110710&content_id=21721366&vkey=news_hou&c_id=hou

 
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Jim Bowden (ESPN) reports that Texas remains in on Beltran, Hunter Pence, Heath Bell (whom he considers “the best fit”), and Hiroki Kuroda.

Buster Olney (ESPN) writes that the Mets want a “star prospect” for Beltran, most likely a pitcher, and adds that Houston seeks “an enormous package of young players” for Pence.

 
'coolnerd said:
Jim Bowden (ESPN) reports that Texas remains in on Beltran, Hunter Pence, Heath Bell (whom he considers “the best fit”), and Hiroki Kuroda. Buster Olney (ESPN) writes that the Mets want a “star prospect” for Beltran, most likely a pitcher, and adds that Houston seeks “an enormous package of young players” for Pence.
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I question why Houston would trade Pence but they certainly would be able to get a ton of stuff back. Franchise is a disaster, completely blowing it up seems like a good idea.Other Tigers fans not big on Wandy, I like him if we can get him for a decent price.
 
'Doctor Detroit said:
I question why Houston would trade Pence but they certainly would be able to get a ton of stuff back. Franchise is a disaster, completely blowing it up seems like a good idea.Other Tigers fans not big on Wandy, I like him if we can get him for a decent price.
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Here's the problem.....teams ownership is changing hands, but nothing has been finished yet. That leaves all moves in flux. Ed Wade is still the gm, but more than likely just a figurehead, or rather a lame duck gm, so, any movement is gonna be tough - as far as major pieces.Astros need to move lots of pieces.Brett Myers was handed a multiyear deal for an innings eating pitcher. That's great, but Astros are not going anywhere anytime soon. He should be sold for a bag of balls.Carlos Lee is absolutely unmoveable with that behemouth of a contract, but fortunately it's almost done with. I'd be willing to trade him and cash for a midling prospect just to get that money off my books.Hunter Pence is best described as good but not great. He's too much of a free swinger, doesn't get on base or hit with power at near elite status. But, he is 28, and he is a solid every day player. On a better team, he could bat 2nd or 6th and he'd be a great fit because he plays hard, is great defensively and has enough pop in his bat and speed to be an every day fixture in a lineup. Astros are gonna ask for way too much for him though because he's their best player, he's young and without him, no one is going to show up to the park anymore. But, truth be told, no one is showing up now even with him there - they should take the best offer they get this year before the trade deadline.Wandy also needs to be moved. He should fetch one solid prospect in return. If he were a few years younger - and didn't have a stupid vesting option in his contract in the event he gets traded - he would fetch more than Pence - he is a solid left handed starter, left stuck pitching in a hitters park on a #### team. Detroit would actually be a great fit for him, imho - not sure if they want to offer up anything for him. He's not a #1 starter - Detroit doesn't need a 1 though. He'd make a fine #2-#3 for most teams.Franchise needs to be blown up - they have NOTHING near major league ready. Altuve is 5'5" and played in a hitters minor league park. Think a shorter David Eckstein here, and this is what Astros fans have to get excited to see? They are already platooning Wallace, which isn't great considering he plays at a power position, kind of a slap hitting wally joyner type that can't hit lefties. Jordan Lyles is their "prized" pitching posession, and he's a poor man's Wandy Rodriguez. Sure, he's young and my develop, but he's not looking to me like anything more than a run of the mill #3-#4 starter.Astros were one of the best run organizations for a long time, but the past 4-5 years they have had the worst player development/drafts/scouting imagineable and it's going to be a long time before they get to mediocre again. If they are better than a .500 team before 2014 I'd be surprised. They need to become real frugal, real bad, stock up high draft picks, develop players, and sign affordable free agents.
 
Well, this would be truly kicking a team while its down

https://twitter.com/#!/zoodig/status/95392104322314240

#Astros 1st pick, George Springer, spotted at Ind. League L.I. Ducks game meeting w/ GM - may sign w/ Ducks. #MLBDraft

I think earlier in thread I was sort of wishing for total disarray of the Astros over just garden variety bad organization, it may well be here now.

 
:00 p.m. EDT update: Rosenthal reports that the Astros will get first baseman Jonathan Singleton, right-hander Jarred Cosart and two players to be named in return for Pence. Rosenthal says the PTNBs will not be major prospects, which would seem to rule out May.

8:50 p.m. EDT update: Rosenthal is now reporting that the Phillies are close to a deal for Pence and that it’s expected to be completed tonight. No word yet on the properties involved, but the Astros were believed to be asking for 1B Jonathan Singleton, RHP Jarred Cosart and RHP Trevor May.

7:42 p.m. EDT update: FOXSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal just tweeted that the Phillies and Astros are “progressing toward” a Pence deal. More as it comes in.

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http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/07/29/reports-phillies-favored-for-hunter-pence-active-on-padres-relievers/

 
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/07/29/phillies-pay-heavy-price-for-non-star-in-hunter-pence/

The Phillies got their middle-of-the-order hitter Friday, picking up two-time All-Star Hunter Pence from the Astros for first baseman Jonathan Singleton, RHP Jarred Cosart, RHP Josh Zeid and a still undisclosed fourth player.

It’s the right-handed bat the Phillies felt they needed to slot in behind Chase Utley and Ryan Howard in the order. Pence, though, hasn’t been all that much better than Domonic Brown of late. He’s batting .200 with just two RBI in 45 at-bats since the All-Star break. Since June 1, he’s hitting .297/.344/.424 with three homers and 19 RBI in 172 at-bats.

Maybe now that he’s finished with the trade rumors, he’ll improve. The Phillies are certainly banking on it after surrendering their top two prospects. Singleton, who is just 19, was hitting .284/.387/.413 for Single-A Clearwater this season. Because of Howard’s presence, the Phillies tried him in left field earlier this year. But that didn’t take. Singleton should be a 30-homer guy down the line, and he could be an upgrade over Brett Wallace by the end of 2013.

Cosart, 21, was also at Clearwater and was 9-8 with a 3.92 ERA and a 79/43 K/BB ratio in 108 innings. He lacks polish for someone regarded as a top pitching prospect, but he throws in the mid-90s and shows a plus curveball. He’s a definite candidate to flame out, but he has top-of-the-rotation potential.

Zeid isn’t so talented. The 24-year-old had a 5.65 ERA and a 56/27 K/BB ratio in 63 2/3 innings while splitting time between the rotation and the pen for Double-A Reading. If he makes it in the majors, it’ll be as a middle reliever.

Pence is the Phillies’ answer to Carlos Beltran, and the fact that he’s under control through 2013 necessated the big offer. He will give the Phillies offense a lift, and he may well make a difference as a No. 5 hitter come playoff time. Still, it’s debatable whether he was really enough of an upgrade to justify the investment. He has a 119 OPS+ since 2009, which puts him a bit below fellow corner outfielders Nick Swisher and Josh Willingham and barely above Corey Hart and Bobby Abreu. He is an above average defender and an asset on the basepaths, but he’s not truly a star and he’s about to get paid like one.

 
Adding Michael Bourn is not going to make the Braves make up five games on the Phillies, but it was a masterful move all the same. Simply a great trade for Atlanta any way you look at it.

First Bourn: he’s an elite center fielder, obviously. You can look at the gold gloves if you want to, though I don’t advise it. Look instead at the advanced defensive metrics which suggest that he’s easily the best defensive center fielder in the National League and, short of Franklin Gutierrez, probably the best in baseball. He is also an elite base runner, successful in 83% of his stolen base attempts in his career.

That glove and those legs have allowed him to more than make up for a fair-at-best bat these past few years, but this season has been an offensive breakthrough for him, as he’s hitting .303/.363/.403. His on base percentage is up, mostly because he has been a bit hit-lucky this year, but his power numbers are interesting. He has never been a home run hitter and still isn’t, but he already has more doubles and triples this season than he had all of last year.

So, acquiring Bourn is clearly a great move for Atlanta, who was in desperate need of an outfielder, especially a center fielder. What’s crazy though is just how great a deal they got for him.

While I have seen some commentary this morning about how the Braves are “high on Jordan Schafer,” I think the best way to take that is that they’re high on him in much the same way you might get high on a hallucinatory drug. He is clearly overmatched by major league pitching and has shown no real progress in that regard over the past few years. None of the prospects involved – Brett Oberholtzer, Paul Clemens and Juan Abreu — are top tier guys. And the fact that the Astros are sending the Braves money in this deal is borderline criminal.

When I saw the good deal that the Phillies got for Hunter Pence — likewise not having to give up their best prospects — I sighed “well, there goes Ed Wade, playing favorites with his old employer again.” Guess Wade decided to share the wealth with the Braves as well.

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/07/31/the-braves-addition-of-michael-bourn-was-a-masterful-move-for-the-braves/

 
http://houston.astros.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110731&content_id=22558290&vkey=news_hou&c_id=hou

Paul Clemens, RHP: Clemens was ranked No. 8 on the Braves' Top 10 at the time of the trade, an eighth-round pick out of junior college in 2008 who was in Double-A Mississippi's rotation. A swingman in the past, Clemens has always impressed with his power stuff, though he hasn't always been consistent with it. A Southern League All-Star this season, Clemens was outstanding over the season's first two months, posting a 2.08 ERA. He's scuffled a bit lately, with ERAs of 6.85 in June and 4.81 in July, though he was still ninth in the Southern League in ERA for the season. He's already surpassed his career high for innings pitched in a season, perhaps a reason he's hit a bit of a wall.

Clemens, 23, can run his fastball up into the mid-90s, and the development of his breaking ball and changeup give him the weapons to be an effective starter. Most scouts see him as a No. 3 or 4 starter at the Major League level. If he doesn't reach that level, the Astros know they can always move him back to the bullpen if needed.

Paul Clemens was a seventh-round pick of the Braves in the 2008 First-Year Player Draft. (MiLB.com)Brett Oberholtzer, LHP: One talent evaluator felt Olberholtzer was the best player in this deal. The Braves selected the 22-year-old left-hander in the eighth round of the 2008 Draft from the junior college ranks as well. He was right behind Clemens in the Southern League with his 3.74 ERA.

Oberholtzer has the chance to have at least three average pitches at the big league level. He'll throw his fastball in the 87- to 92-mph range, with a solid cutter and an above-average changeup. All of his stuff plays up because he has above average to plus control and command. He may not dominate, but he fits the profile of a "pitchability" lefty who can make a major contribution in the middle or back end of a rotation.

Juan Abreu, RHP: Abreu, 26, has been around the block a time or two, but he's still got the kind of power arm people covet in the bullpen. Originally signed in 2003 by the Kansas City Royals, he joined the Braves organization in 2010.

Abreu is all about arm strength. He's got a plus fastball that has hit triple digits several times and he couples it with a good breaking ball. He misses plenty of bats, with a 10.9 K/9 ratio in his career (12.8 in 2011). Command has been an issue -- he's walked 5.4 per nine (5.1 this season) -- and he has had some injuries in the past. He's having the best season of his career now, and the Astros think he'll be able to compete in the big league bullpen moving forward.

 
The Phillies may have gotten the right-handed bat they wanted in Hunter Pence, but the Astros got two outstanding prospects, one intriguing arm and a player to be named in return. Here's some more information on Jarred Cosart, Jonathan Singleton and Josh Zeid.

Cosart and Singleton were ranked first and second on MLB.com's Phillies Top 10 list at the time of the trade. Both were playing in the Class A Advanced Florida State League, but the Astros appear likely to assign Cosart to Double-A Corpus Christi and Singleton to Lancaster in the California League once they join the organization. They are currently ranked 37th and 38th among MLB.com's Top 50 prospects.

Cosart was drafted in the 38th round of the 2008 Draft but signed with the Phillies with an over-slot deal instead of heading to Missouri. He's always had electric stuff, but he had trouble staying healthy over his first couple of years and threw just 95 2/3 innings from 2009 to '10.

Mayo on prospects in Pence trade00:02:457/29/11: MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo talks about the prospects the Astros received from the Phillies in exchange for Hunter PenceTags: Mayo, Jonathan, Trade Deadline, analysis, Houston AstrosShare:

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Cosart on Futures Game

Pence headed to Philadelphia

Pence says his goodbyesIn 2009, he had back and shoulder problems. In 2010, his season ended in June because of a bad elbow. Even in limited time, though, he showed what he can do, striking out 102 and walking just 23 in that span.

Cosart has one of the better fastballs in the Minors, and it was on display at this year's Futures Game, when he was touching 98 mph. He has a very good curve to go along with the heater. His changeup is behind the other pitches, but he was learning to use it more regularly this season. He's lean and projectable and has good command, which is rare for a power pitcher. More than anything, he's stayed healthy in 2011. His 108 innings already surpass his career high for a season, and although he was scuffling for a while, in his last -- and final -- start with the Phillies, he tossed seven shutout innings.

Singleton was a 2009 Draftee, taken in the eighth round and signed away from a Long Beach State commitment. For a young hitter taken out of high school, he showed a more productive bat right away than some expected to see. He has a smooth swing from the left side of the plate, and most feel that he'll hit for average and power as he matures and learns the game.

In his first full season, he showed pretty good plate discipline and the ability to draw some walks. He faded in the second half of 2010. After hitting .373/.460/.672 with nine homers and 41 RBIs over 134 at-bats in the first half, he hit .244/.356/.372, with five homers and 36 RBIs over 242 at-bats.

Singleton is a good first baseman, but the Phillies moved him to left field to start this year, thinking that Ryan Howard would be a very big roadblock, but moved him back to first. Considering he's just 19, his .284/.387/.413 line in the pitching-friendly Florida State League isn't too bad.

Zeid, a senior signing out of Tulane in 2009, has the chance to contribute soon out of the bullpen. He's both started and relieved as a professional, but he's had more success in shorter stints this season. He had a very good first full season overall in 2010, with a 2.93 ERA, a 9.3 K/9 ratio and 2.3 BB/9. He did save eight games as a reliever.

Zeid threw well in the Arizona Fall League as well before he hit his innings limit for the year, setting him up to make a double jump to Double-A in 2011. He began the year in the rotation, and after putting up a 6.80 ERA (and .290 batting average against) over 11 starts, he moved into the bullpen. Over 10 relief outings, he had a nifty 2.25 ERA, striking out 24 and walking just two (with a .182 BAA) over 16 innings.

http://houston.astros.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110729&content_id=22492036&vkey=news_hou&c_id=hou

 
Speculation from my desk in Arlington:

I think Wade is operating under the directive of Crane to kill payroll because even with both Bourne and Pence having arguably their best seasons, the Astros are having one of the worst seasons in the last decade or so by any MLB team. they would have had to fight arbitration with these guys and probably drop 15-18 million (for both)in 2012 for the Astros to be not good again.

They would not have had to trade Bourn nor Pence, if they had not extended Wandy or Myers ( or go figure trade them last season) with contracts in the double digit millions. Those two along with Lee are mostly untradeable deals, so if an indirect directive from Crane is that "I am not paying 80-100 million a year for awful baseball", the only place to save is with Bourn and Pence.

I think this because of the 60 million payroll that floated around and Uncle Drayton's method would have been more to sign both players to questionable longer term contracts and try to build around them than having a fire sale. What's going on now is too counter how things have been done during the Drayton era.

 
Why would any fan support this team right now? What an absolute joke.

There should be nothing but empty seats for all remaining home games.

 
'coolnerd said:
The Phillies may have gotten the right-handed bat they wanted in Hunter Pence, but the Astros got two outstanding prospects, one intriguing arm and a player to be named in return. Here's some more information on Jarred Cosart, Jonathan Singleton and Josh Zeid.Cosart and Singleton were ranked first and second on MLB.com's Phillies Top 10 list at the time of the trade. Both were playing in the Class A Advanced Florida State League, but the Astros appear likely to assign Cosart to Double-A Corpus Christi and Singleton to Lancaster in the California League once they join the organization. They are currently ranked 37th and 38th among MLB.com's Top 50 prospects.Cosart was drafted in the 38th round of the 2008 Draft but signed with the Phillies with an over-slot deal instead of heading to Missouri. He's always had electric stuff, but he had trouble staying healthy over his first couple of years and threw just 95 2/3 innings from 2009 to '10. Mayo on prospects in Pence trade00:02:457/29/11: MLB.com's Jonathan Mayo talks about the prospects the Astros received from the Phillies in exchange for Hunter PenceTags: Mayo, Jonathan, Trade Deadline, analysis, Houston AstrosShare:FacebookTwitterEmailRelated VideoCosart on Futures GamePence headed to PhiladelphiaPence says his goodbyesIn 2009, he had back and shoulder problems. In 2010, his season ended in June because of a bad elbow. Even in limited time, though, he showed what he can do, striking out 102 and walking just 23 in that span. Cosart has one of the better fastballs in the Minors, and it was on display at this year's Futures Game, when he was touching 98 mph. He has a very good curve to go along with the heater. His changeup is behind the other pitches, but he was learning to use it more regularly this season. He's lean and projectable and has good command, which is rare for a power pitcher. More than anything, he's stayed healthy in 2011. His 108 innings already surpass his career high for a season, and although he was scuffling for a while, in his last -- and final -- start with the Phillies, he tossed seven shutout innings.Singleton was a 2009 Draftee, taken in the eighth round and signed away from a Long Beach State commitment. For a young hitter taken out of high school, he showed a more productive bat right away than some expected to see. He has a smooth swing from the left side of the plate, and most feel that he'll hit for average and power as he matures and learns the game. In his first full season, he showed pretty good plate discipline and the ability to draw some walks. He faded in the second half of 2010. After hitting .373/.460/.672 with nine homers and 41 RBIs over 134 at-bats in the first half, he hit .244/.356/.372, with five homers and 36 RBIs over 242 at-bats. Singleton is a good first baseman, but the Phillies moved him to left field to start this year, thinking that Ryan Howard would be a very big roadblock, but moved him back to first. Considering he's just 19, his .284/.387/.413 line in the pitching-friendly Florida State League isn't too bad.Zeid, a senior signing out of Tulane in 2009, has the chance to contribute soon out of the bullpen. He's both started and relieved as a professional, but he's had more success in shorter stints this season. He had a very good first full season overall in 2010, with a 2.93 ERA, a 9.3 K/9 ratio and 2.3 BB/9. He did save eight games as a reliever.Zeid threw well in the Arizona Fall League as well before he hit his innings limit for the year, setting him up to make a double jump to Double-A in 2011. He began the year in the rotation, and after putting up a 6.80 ERA (and .290 batting average against) over 11 starts, he moved into the bullpen. Over 10 relief outings, he had a nifty 2.25 ERA, striking out 24 and walking just two (with a .182 BAA) over 16 innings.http://houston.astros.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110729&content_id=22492036&vkey=news_hou&c_id=hou
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Cosart has a delivery that comes across his body. Many people within the Phillies organization believe that the mechanics of his delivery are the cause of many of his injuries. I've also read that scouts believe that he could be a candidate for TJ surgery at some point in his career because of this delievery. But he has good stuff, as long as he can avoid injuries. Singleton is a good hitter. The Phillies try to convert him to LF, but it didn't work out. With Howard around for the next 5-6 years Singleton really was buried for the Phillies although he's probably at least 2-3 years away from being ready.
 
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/08/10/report-wandy-rodriguez-will-get-claimed-on-waivers/

Danny Knobler of CBSSports says there is “a growing belief in baseball” that Wandy Rodriguez will be placed on waivers this week and that at least one team will put in a claim.

The Yankees discussed a Rodriguez trade prior to the July 31 deadline, but talks broke down amid reports that the Bombers wanted the Astros to eat $17 million of the $38 million owed to the left-hander through 2014. Knobler says the Yankees are no longer interested in Rodriguez.

That even the Yankees wanted the Astros to take on so much of the salary suggested that Rodriguez would probably clear waivers this month. However, Knobler doesn’t believe that’s the case. He says it’s likely at least one NL team will put in a claim.

The Astros could simply let Rodriguez go if he is claimed on waivers. Doing so would free them from his entire salary, but they wouldn’t get anything in return. Alternatively, they could pull him back and attempt to trade him to the claiming team. If that were to happen, the Astros might eat some salary and get a prospect back for him.

If Rodriguez instead clears waivers, the Astros will be free to deal him to any team through the end of the regular season. The only issue there is that he’d have to be traded prior to Sept. 1 to be postseason eligible for his new team.

 
In trading Hunter Pence to the Phillies the Astros received prospects Jarred Cosart, Jonathan Singleton, and Josh Zei, plus a fourth player to be named later.

Today that player was revealed as 19-year-old Single-A outfielder Domingo Santana, who Baseball America ranked as the Phillies’ ninth-best prospect coming into the season.

His stock may have dropped some since then, as Santana has hit just .269 with seven homers and an ugly 120/26 K/BB ratio in 96 games, but the 6-foot-5 right fielder is extremely young for the level of competition and is said to have a ton of power potential.

Santana is a long way from the majors, but he adds to what was already an excellent haul for Pence

http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/08/15/astros-get-19-year-old-domingo-santana-from-phillies-to-complete-hunter-pence-trade/

 
http://houston.astros.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110815&content_id=23257134&vkey=news_hou&c_id=hou

As time slipped away and the deadline to sign picks from the 2011 First-Year Player Draft crept closer, the tension rose among the Astros' baseball operations staff. A couple of signatures on the dotted line quickly turned the tension into jubilation.

The Astros got their men late Monday night, signing first-round pick George Springer and third-round pick Jack Armstrong, announcing the deals just after the 11:01 p.m. CT deadline. Springer got a $2,525,000 bonus, and Armstrong signed for $750,000, according to a person with knowledge of the situation.

"This was a contentious day, but at the end of it we got the two prime guys we set out to get over the last couple of months," Astros assistant general manager/director of scouting Bobby Heck said. "At the end of the day, we knew both kids wanted to play."

 
This was tweeted last night:

"The Astros and their eight-team farm system have an aggregate record of 317-506. Unreal."

That's a .385 winning percentage.

Ouch. Granted the minors has little to do with winning and more about development, but still. Ouch.

 
'Doofenshmirtz said:
This was tweeted last night:"The Astros and their eight-team farm system have an aggregate record of 317-506. Unreal."That's a .385 winning percentage. Ouch. Granted the minors has little to do with winning and more about development, but still. Ouch.
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As the bi-polar Rangers/Astros fan on this board...here are the current records of the Ranger farm system..In short, talent will win even while they develop. AAA Record: 72-51 AA 67-53 High A 64-54Low A 66-51Short A 27-30 Rookie 30-14
 
'coolnerd said:
'Doofenshmirtz said:
This was tweeted last night:"The Astros and their eight-team farm system have an aggregate record of 317-506. Unreal."That's a .385 winning percentage. Ouch. Granted the minors has little to do with winning and more about development, but still. Ouch.
Click to expand...
As the bi-polar Rangers/Astros fan on this board...here are the current records of the Ranger farm system..In short, talent will win even while they develop. AAA Record: 72-51 AA 67-53 High A 64-54Low A 66-51Short A 27-30 Rookie 30-14
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I wasn't going to rub it in, but yeah. And don't forget that the Rangers tend to be very aggressive with their promotions giving them the youngest or near youngest team at each level.It's a good time to be a Rangers fan.
 
The Astros failure sucks. I grew up as a little kid rooting for the Astros more than the Rangers as more members of my family were Astros fans. I kept a dual AL/NL thing going for awhile, but stopped following them along the time the astrodome came down.

I don't know what the solution here is. It looks like they have no pieces in place, and Houston as town does not support the team quite well enough to rebuild quickly. The new TV contract will help this to some extent.

It could be 2015 before this thing ever even sniffs .500. :bag:

 
Dear Houston,

107 losses isn't THAT much worse than 104 losses. Please don't do what you did last night again.

Signed,

This Cardinals fan.

 
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'coolnerd said:
Early, I question the level of dissarray the franchise is in, but heck we might even be excute a sell in the right way.http://www.bizofbaseball.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5457:is-jim-cranes-deal-for-the-astros-in-serious-jeopardy-dont-count-him-out-just-yet&catid=26:editorials&Itemid=39Long, but highlight some problems with Cranehttp://www.forbes.com/sites/sportsmoney/2011/06/14/why-jim-crane-could-become-baseballs-most-controversial-owner/
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Does anybody rodgers' title belt celebration?
 
http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/45261031

NEW YORK (AP) - The proposed sale of the Houston Astros from Drayton McLane to Jim Crane is on the agenda for approval when baseball owners meet next week, The Associated Press has learned.

Two people familiar with the negotiations say McLane, Crane and Major League Baseball have reached an understanding on how a possible shift of the franchise to the American League in 2013 would take place. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because MLB had made no announcements.

Last May, McLane and Crane announced a sale valued at $680 million, the second-highest purchase price in baseball history behind the $845 million purchase of the Chicago Cubs by the Ricketts family two years ago.

Progress toward approval slowed when MLB wanted Crane to accept a possible switch to the AL. The understanding on a switching the Astros out of the National League was part of a new negotiation that covered several points, one of the people said.

The players' association has pushed for switch to two 15-team leagues, saying it would create a more equitable schedule. The earliest any league switch would take place is 2013.

The deal also was placed on the agenda for the Aug. 18 meeting at Cooperstown, then withdrawn before owners arrived. The people familiar with the negotiations said it appeared it would remain on the agenda next Thursday when the owners hold meetings in Milwaukee.

McLane, who bought the team in November 1992 for about $117 million, put the franchise up for sale a year ago.Crane has tried to buy the Astros before, approaching McLane about it in 2008, but McLane turned him down.

The sale is expected to include the ballpark owned by the Harris County Houston Sports Authority and a regional sports network set to begin airing Houston Rockets games in 2012 and Astros games in 2013.

Crane, who founded a Houston-based logistics company in 2008, is the chairman and chief executive officer of Crane Capital, a private equity fund company. Two years ago, he was in the running to buy the Chicago Cubs and last summer he tried to buy the Texas Rangers.

In September, Crane expressed frustration at how long it was taking MLB to move on the sale and noted there is a Nov. 30 deadline.

Crane has not responded to requests for an interview. Neither he nor McLane returned messages from the AP on Friday.

 
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