So lets talk about Beltran to Houston - Dotel to Oakland

Don't change the subject, VB!

I always fear that KC gets hosed when Oakland's involved in a 3-way, like they're the ones sitting in the chair watching Oakland & the other team get down & dirty. But, hey, anything to keep Jimy from starting Orlando Palmeiro every other day. But I REALLY hope Jimy moves bunt-boy Everett out of the 2 hole to get Beltran more ABs. Something like:

Biggio
Beltran
Berkman
Kent
Bagwell
Ensberg
Ausmus / Automatic Out
Everett
Pitcher of choice

What's the Houston line-up look like usually? & does Jimy mess with it every game?

When everybody is healthy, the lineup is usually:

Biggio
Everett
Berkman
Kent
Bagwell
Ensberg/Lamb
Lane/Palmiero
Ausmus

Jimy has been tinkering a bit in the last to weeks after the offense had been in hibernation for about a month, especially since the Hidalgo trade. Berkman and Bagwell flip-flopped about two weeks ago. Lane and Palmeiro have been platooning with Lane getting most of the starts, but there's really no reason he shouldn't have been getting all of the starts. Lane is the loser in this whole deal, because, with the departure of Hidalgo, it looked like he was going to get his chance to be an everyday player. Now he goes back to being the fourth outfielder.

Defensively, it looks like they plan to shift Biggio to left and move Berkman to right. One other possibility (and one that I think had a high potential for disaster) was to move Biggio back to second and shift Kent over to third. I don't like the idea of upsetting Kent's apple cart, plus Ensberg hasn't been all that bad at third; he needs to start hitting with some power, but he has driven in go-ahead runs late in the game twice this week.

David's lineup above is probably OTM. I've enjoyed watching Everett hit in the 2-hole, but looks to be the best spot for Beltran. I just hope Everett hits 7th instead of 8th.

Argh!

But Dotel ain't nothing. And now Jimy has an even better chance of f*cking up close games late.

I'm surprised Jimy hasn't given Lamb the full time job - he jerked Ensberg around last year when Geoff Blum was sucking and Ensberg was Mr. Sluggo; now that his homerun stroke's non-existant, I'd think JW would be eager to get an "experienced veteran" in there to "boot ground balls" and "look stupid against right-handed pitchers".

Moving Biggio to 2nd & Kent to 3rd = human sieve. UNLESS they move Everett to 3rd & Biggio to SS. That'd be "interesting". Or maybe they can move Bagwell "back" to 3rd, play Lane @ 1st, and make Biggio the train conductor.

B, don't worry - as long as Mr. Manager's Decision is in charge of Houston, your Cards have a good chance of getting into the playoffs.

I'm starting to think the Brewers' manager is the best manager in the division (hi Begs!); maybe the Reds' guy.

So Brent, you'd have a better idea than I about this... but it seems to me the Astros are making a huge push to win NOW. Is this Hunsicker's admission that it has to happen this year or it's not going to happen for awhile? Or just wishful thinking from a Cubs fan?

i was wondering about lamb myself - hasn't he been getting some time at 2b of late¿

i think hunsicker is making his play right now because he knows clemens probably won't play at this level past this season (if he plays at all after this season) and biggio and bagwell's skills have probably peaked. this seems as good a time as any to make a push.

dyson: Lamb did get a start at 2B this week after Kent jammed a finger sliding into third on Monday night.

mattbot: I think it is more Hun's way of saying "This is the last year we're going to have Biggio and Bagwell together." If one or both leave, I think the franchise is still in a good position to be competitive in coming years. Berkman, Oswalt, Miller, Everett are a good nucleus of young players. Pettitte is under contract for two more years. Jason Lane has a good chance to be a solid major leaguer for a few years. There is some good talent in AA at OF and C. I don't think Huns is expecting to go into total rebuilding mode next year, but everybody want's to win a champiomship before Biggio and Bagwell head off into the sunset.

Biggio has been solid enough this year that I wouldn't mind his coming back for next year. And while I would like to have Bagwell back too, I think his best option would be to retire. He is playing in constant pain and doesn't appear likely to finish out the two years left on his contract.

xpost

Woohoo, Houston Astros: World Champioms!!

First off, Beltran will be a free agent at the end of this season so don't think that he's going to be staying around long (esp. w/ Scott "love 'em and leave 'em" Boras as his agent).

Secondly, Jeff Kent can barely make the throw from 2nd to 1st. Moving Kent to 3rd would be an experiment in dugout awareness.

also: is bnw still doubting lidge, wtf?

Nah, but can Lidge pitch the 8th and the 9th? And doesn't most the bullpen behind them kind of blow?

go read the ASTROS thread: Miceli's having a better year than Dotel!!!

I have faith he'll rediscover his 5+ era when the pressure is back on.

yeah, I also think Oakland Coliseum's 50 yards of foul territory on either side of the diamond and massive outfield should make Dotel look better.

Dotel returning to 2003 form wouldn't surprise me. The A's bullpen has been sorry except for Duchscherererer (I can't believe anyone can hit that Bradford submarine, but they are!), and Mark Mulder can't pitch everyday -- saw his 4-hitter yesterday on tape, what a stud.

There are also rumors that the Astros may be looking to deal for another reliever. Names I've seen thrown out are Urbina, Guardado, and Rhodes. Hopefully not Rhodes.

They could probably trade the hill (with flagpole) for Guardado, & Bavasi would bite.

Good news and bad news for boldbury:

Good: Dotel got a win in his Oakland debut.

Bad: He gave up four earned runs in order to get it.

Dotel vs. SF Giants in 2004:

3.2 IP, 5 ERs (12.27 ERA) = 1 Loss, 1 Blown Save, 1 Win.

I like to say 'Dotel got toe-telled' (like totalled, do u c?)