(Insert Joke Here About The Astros)

[Nconroe]

Well, all fair enough points. Probably adding one stud player wouldn't help put us over the top, maybe it would. Manny is okay, but we had Carlos in that position, of course he's hurt now. Texeiria is good but we got Berkman in that spot. And Sabathia, that would be a boost for a couple months, but he's a free agent, likely off to NYC for next year.

Pitching is for sure our weakest link this year, we knew that in April, too bad this hasn't had someone really step up, but it has been okay to be around .500, which is better than some expected for the year, likely not good enough over the year to get us into playoffs.

Might be a fun off season of changes coming, I hope so. I think changes will happen whether we make playoffs( not likely this year) or not. I always like to see teams try to win and do best they can. Maybe even surprize a few people.

[KJ3]

Originally Posted by Nconroe

Well, all fair enough points. Probably adding one stud player wouldn't help put us over the top, maybe it would. Manny is okay, but we had Carlos in that position, of course he's hurt now. Texeiria is good but we got Berkman in that spot. And Sabathia, that would be a boost for a couple months, but he's a free agent, likely off to NYC for next year.

that was more or less to point out that teams who are really contending (acquisitions that make a difference) and teams who are blowing smoke up their fans' butts....like the astros. randy wolf isn't going to be the "over-the-top" guy on any team, let alone this one that is struggling to be 7 games out of the wild card race.

[Nconroe]

well, I think they have been entertaining this past month and maybe the first month of the season, the middle was pretty bad. like 27-10 over last month or so is pretty good. Tye Wigginton and Jeff Blum are hot at the plate now. Just swept Cardinals followed by Cubbys who have best record in majors. And pitchers ERAs doing a little better over last couple of weeks including the complete game shutout by Randy Wolf and Valverde is being unhittable as a closer right now.

I think Tejada was an upgrade at shortstop.

if we go say 14-8 over last 22 games we could end up at respectable 88 wins, but still likely out of wildcard.

I think we'll go after a few good pitchers in offseason no matter how this ends up. perhaps a catcher and center fielder . maybe a big trade or two. I hope we for sure hold onto Pence, Berkman, Oswalt.

[KJ3]

Originally Posted by Nconroe

I think Tejada was an upgrade at shortstop.

dude, most people would be an upgrade at shortstop over adam everett, much less a former mvp.

if we go say 14-8 over last 22 games we could end up at respectable 88 wins, but still likely out of wildcard.

I think we'll go after a few good pitchers in offseason no matter how this ends up. perhaps a catcher and center fielder . maybe a big trade or two. I hope we for sure hold onto Pence, Berkman, Oswalt.

drayton is not going after that many guys. he'll go get ben sheets or one other decent pitcher and call it an offseason. just enough to keep people coming back. and given the astros history of terrible trades, i don't think i would be calling for one.

[Nconroe]

Oswalt had a nice 1 hit complete game shutout last night against Rockies in Denver. Nice to see Roy getting his old form back.

[KJ3]

on top of the other things that suck about the astros...


....how many times this year have we heard that "roy is back"? at least 6 or 7. where does he keep going? downhill? is he deteriorating or is it just fun to say that "he's back"?

[NickO]

I don't post on any Astros boards so this'll be my only outlet...

Props to Houston's own (Klein Forest '98) Mark Saccomanno for becoming the 100th player in history to homer in his first major league at bat!