Astros acquire Beltran

[Misfit]

Re: Astros acquire Beltran

I was thinking the same thing about Houston's pen but for now, I'd say this team got better. I'm pretty confident Lidge can close, its the set-up crew I'm not sold on.

And I'm glad Boston didn't deal for him, KC wanted too much: Youkilis, Shoppach, and Scot Williamson for a rental player is rediculous. And KC made out pretty good knowing they were trading a rental player and Dotel adds instant credibility to Oakland's pen. Now we just have to see if these players can produce like they're expected to.

[TexasJedi]

Re: Astros acquire Beltran

The bullpen is a bit thinner, but what does that matter if you can score more runs, which has been the Astros problem of late. Beltran should help transform the entire offense with this lineup:

1.Craig Biggio-LF
2.Adam Everett-SS
3.Lance Berkman-RF (my guess, but with Jimy you never know)
4.Carlos Beltran-CF (could hit 3rd, but we'll see)
5.Jeff Kent-2B
6.Jeff Bagwell-1B (tough to see Baggie this far down, but he has struggled and hopefully he'll be able to pick it up)
7.Morgan Ensberg-3B (hitting well, but where's that power?)
8.Brad Ausmus-C

Those who had Kent moving to 3rd have no knowledge of the Astros ballclub. In addition to Ensberg at 3rd, Mike Lamb is tearing it up, so moving Kent to 3rd would hurt the lineup.

I hate to say it, because I love Bidge, but he would be better as a super sub-utility man, leaving Berkman in left and Lane in right.

As far as the pen goes, Lidge should have IMO been closing all season. He just knows how to pitch to a hitter when he's ahead in the count, unlike Dotie. Octavio would get a 1-2 count, and then groove a 94mph fastball which would inevitably cost him. You never had a sense of safety when Dotel pitched the 9th, he always seemed to make getting a save hard. Lidge as the closer, with his 90mph slider, is not an issue. That's an upgrade as far as I'm concerned. Miceli will have to be as good, and Weathers, Harville, Gallo, et al will have to pick up the slack.

Bottom line, the Astros ARE better with this deal. While Beltran probably will sign elsewhere this offseason, the trade is worth it. Keep in mind, Kent will be gone next year, so they MAY have a little money to play with. If, by some miracle, the Stros resign Beltran, he'll join Everett, and Chris Burke (who is supposed to be a Biggio clone) to give them a solid middle defense, plus lineup, next season. But, we have to WIN NOW!!!

[TexasJedi]

Re: Astros acquire Beltran

The bullpen is a bit thinner, but what does that matter if you can score more runs, which has been the Astros problem of late. Beltran should help transform the entire offense with this lineup:

1.Craig Biggio-LF
2.Adam Everett-SS
3.Lance Berkman-RF (my guess, but with Jimy you never know)
4.Carlos Beltran-CF (could hit 3rd, but we'll see)
5.Jeff Kent-2B
6.Jeff Bagwell-1B (tough to see Baggie this far down, but he has struggled and hopefully he'll be able to pick it up)
7.Morgan Ensberg-3B (hitting well, but where's that power?)
8.Brad Ausmus-C

Those who had Kent moving to 3rd have no knowledge of the Astros ballclub. In addition to Ensberg at 3rd, Mike Lamb is tearing it up, so moving Kent to 3rd would hurt the lineup.

I hate to say it, because I love Bidge, but he would be better as a super sub-utility man, leaving Berkman in left and Lane in right.

As far as the pen goes, Lidge should have IMO been closing all season. He just knows how to pitch to a hitter when he's ahead in the count, unlike Dotie. Octavio would get a 1-2 count, and then groove a 94mph fastball which would inevitably cost him. You never had a sense of safety when Dotel pitched the 9th, he always seemed to make getting a save hard. Lidge as the closer, with his 90mph slider, is not an issue. That's an upgrade as far as I'm concerned. Miceli will have to be as good, and Weathers, Harville, Gallo, et al will have to pick up the slack.

Bottom line, the Astros ARE better with this deal. While Beltran probably will sign elsewhere this offseason, the trade is worth it. Keep in mind, Kent will be gone next year, so they MAY have a little money to play with. If, by some miracle, the Stros resign Beltran, he'll join Everett, and Chris Burke (who is supposed to be a Biggio clone) to give them a solid middle defense, plus lineup, next season. But, we have to WIN NOW!!!

[TexasJedi]

Re: Astros acquire Beltran

The bullpen is a bit thinner, but what does that matter if you can score more runs, which has been the Astros problem of late. Beltran should help transform the entire offense with this lineup:

1.Craig Biggio-LF
2.Adam Everett-SS
3.Lance Berkman-RF (my guess, but with Jimy you never know)
4.Carlos Beltran-CF (could hit 3rd, but we'll see)
5.Jeff Kent-2B
6.Jeff Bagwell-1B (tough to see Baggie this far down, but he has struggled and hopefully he'll be able to pick it up)
7.Morgan Ensberg-3B (hitting well, but where's that power?)
8.Brad Ausmus-C

Those who had Kent moving to 3rd have no knowledge of the Astros ballclub. In addition to Ensberg at 3rd, Mike Lamb is tearing it up, so moving Kent to 3rd would hurt the lineup.

I hate to say it, because I love Bidge, but he would be better as a super sub-utility man, leaving Berkman in left and Lane in right.

As far as the pen goes, Lidge should have IMO been closing all season. He just knows how to pitch to a hitter when he's ahead in the count, unlike Dotie. Octavio would get a 1-2 count, and then groove a 94mph fastball which would inevitably cost him. You never had a sense of safety when Dotel pitched the 9th, he always seemed to make getting a save hard. Lidge as the closer, with his 90mph slider, is not an issue. That's an upgrade as far as I'm concerned. Miceli will have to be as good, and Weathers, Harville, Gallo, et al will have to pick up the slack.

Bottom line, the Astros ARE better with this deal. While Beltran probably will sign elsewhere this offseason, the trade is worth it. Keep in mind, Kent will be gone next year, so they MAY have a little money to play with. If, by some miracle, the Stros resign Beltran, he'll join Everett, and Chris Burke (who is supposed to be a Biggio clone) to give them a solid middle defense, plus lineup, next season. But, we have to WIN NOW!!!

[elicoleman]

Re: Astros acquire Beltran

Well thats great news fantasy wise for me because I have Lidge on 5 of my 10 teams, and only Rhodes on 2 of 10. I guess I can go ahead and drop him now.

[elicoleman]

Re: Astros acquire Beltran

Well thats great news fantasy wise for me because I have Lidge on 5 of my 10 teams, and only Rhodes on 2 of 10. I guess I can go ahead and drop him now.

[elicoleman]

Re: Astros acquire Beltran

Well thats great news fantasy wise for me because I have Lidge on 5 of my 10 teams, and only Rhodes on 2 of 10. I guess I can go ahead and drop him now.

[rsox]

Re: Astros acquire Beltran

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
dooch said:
Beltran will definitely not re-sign with the Astros. Hunsicker even admitted they couldn't afford him next season. Anyways, while Beltran is a huge upgrade offensively, one thing people aren't talking about is Houston's pen takes a major hit, unless they acquire someone else. Lidge takes over as closer, but he's never done it before, so who knows how he'll hold up. And now their setup corps got weaker, leaving them with guys like Miceli and Weathers. Not good. Unless they upgrade their pen, I can't see them even winning the division, let alone going far in October.

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

Astros owner Drayton McLane has said several times already that they are "going for it" this season, that said, the Astros are not done making moves yet, they will look to upgrade there Bullpen, which is the teams major weakness. Losing Octavio Dotel does not hurt them that badly, yes he led the team in Saves with 14, but for a Closer he allows too many baserunners, 42 in 34.2 innings, and will probably benefit from a change of scenery.
Lidge can be a decent Closer and if all else failes the Astros could always inquire about Seattle's Eddie Guardado.

[rsox]

Re: Astros acquire Beltran

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
dooch said:
Beltran will definitely not re-sign with the Astros. Hunsicker even admitted they couldn't afford him next season. Anyways, while Beltran is a huge upgrade offensively, one thing people aren't talking about is Houston's pen takes a major hit, unless they acquire someone else. Lidge takes over as closer, but he's never done it before, so who knows how he'll hold up. And now their setup corps got weaker, leaving them with guys like Miceli and Weathers. Not good. Unless they upgrade their pen, I can't see them even winning the division, let alone going far in October.

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

Astros owner Drayton McLane has said several times already that they are "going for it" this season, that said, the Astros are not done making moves yet, they will look to upgrade there Bullpen, which is the teams major weakness. Losing Octavio Dotel does not hurt them that badly, yes he led the team in Saves with 14, but for a Closer he allows too many baserunners, 42 in 34.2 innings, and will probably benefit from a change of scenery.
Lidge can be a decent Closer and if all else failes the Astros could always inquire about Seattle's Eddie Guardado.

[rsox]

Re: Astros acquire Beltran

</font><blockquote><font class="small">Quote:</font><hr />
dooch said:
Beltran will definitely not re-sign with the Astros. Hunsicker even admitted they couldn't afford him next season. Anyways, while Beltran is a huge upgrade offensively, one thing people aren't talking about is Houston's pen takes a major hit, unless they acquire someone else. Lidge takes over as closer, but he's never done it before, so who knows how he'll hold up. And now their setup corps got weaker, leaving them with guys like Miceli and Weathers. Not good. Unless they upgrade their pen, I can't see them even winning the division, let alone going far in October.

<hr /></blockquote><font class="post">

Astros owner Drayton McLane has said several times already that they are "going for it" this season, that said, the Astros are not done making moves yet, they will look to upgrade there Bullpen, which is the teams major weakness. Losing Octavio Dotel does not hurt them that badly, yes he led the team in Saves with 14, but for a Closer he allows too many baserunners, 42 in 34.2 innings, and will probably benefit from a change of scenery.
Lidge can be a decent Closer and if all else failes the Astros could always inquire about Seattle's Eddie Guardado.

[Misfit]

Re: Astros acquire Beltran

Seatle is the team to watch now. Freddy Garcia, Jamie Moyer, and Eddie Guardado are going to garner a lot of attention over the next month.

[Misfit]

Re: Astros acquire Beltran

Seatle is the team to watch now. Freddy Garcia, Jamie Moyer, and Eddie Guardado are going to garner a lot of attention over the next month.

[Misfit]

Re: Astros acquire Beltran

Seatle is the team to watch now. Freddy Garcia, Jamie Moyer, and Eddie Guardado are going to garner a lot of attention over the next month.