Cecil Cooper fired by Astros

[rsox]

Re: Cecil Cooper fired by Astros

Also, isn't Billy Wagner going to be on the FA market this year? I think I'd rather have Wags over Valverde right now. Valverde's been on and off hurt all season which might hurt him in the market, even though he led the NL in saves in '07 and '08. Can't argue with Billy the Kid's 385 career saves and he seems to be pitching well right now. I doubt he'd come back to Houston though, they parted on bad terms last time around.

Wagner seems to part on bad terms everywhere he leaves.

I had forgotten about him though. So Valverde is one of two closers on the FA market.

[texans]

Re: Cecil Cooper fired by Astros

I am not holding my breath on Wade - but anything is better than Pupura or whatever his name was after Hunsicker got the door. I only hope realistically Drayton decides to cut his losses and (hurts to say it) but actually does Berkman, Roy O and Lee to a lesser extent a favor and ship them off for prospects. And I mean can't miss prospects... Those guys will never get close to another WS trip with the Astros IMO. I think we could rebuild quickly if we got some talent for those guys and just call it - Our minors are weak, Castro is a few years away, Mier as well - Norris and Brad James could be up soon, but after them? Collin Delome? Who? Who next? We need something...

I don't think Berkman, Oswalt, or Lee will be going anywhere next year. I know Lee has a no trade clause in his contract. I'm not sure if Berkman or Oswalt do, but Berkman is a 10-5 player. I doubt Oswalt is going anywhere since there isn't much pitching depth in the organization.

Wagner seems to part on bad terms everywhere he leaves.

I had forgotten about him though. So Valverde is one of two closers on the FA market.

Here's a list of players with experience as a closer that will be on the FA market this year:

Mike Gonzalez
Kevin Gregg
Troy Percival
J.J. Putz
Fernando Rodney
Rafael Soriano
Salomon Torres
Jose Valverde
Billy Wagner


Also, Tejada has a good chance of coming back, but as a 3rd baseman. If that happens I'd love for them to move Matsui and/or Chris Johnson for a catcher to go with Quintero until Castro is ready. That would leave Tejada and Berkman at the corners with Manzella and Keppinger up the middle and an outfield of Lee, Bourn, and Pence left to right. That would be great IMHO as long as they can get some pitching.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090815&content_id=6439886&vkey=news_hou&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou