Tagged: Brian Moehler

August 3, 2010

The Big Puma Goes To The Big Apple

*Sorry I forgot to post this a few days ago.

After 1,648 hits, 326 home runs,
1,090 runs batted in, 1,592 games, and parts of twelve seasons, Lance “The Big
Puma” Berkman is leaving Houston to play with Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez,
Mariano Rivera and the rest of the New York Yankees in the Big Apple.

It’s a bittersweet day in Houston.
On one side, the team is starting over and getting younger. On the other side,
you are losing a franchise player who played his college career (with the Rice
Owls) and pro career in Houston. Berkman has given the city of Houston so many
memories, good ones and bad ones.

Personally, I have two distinct
memories about Lance Berkman. The first autographed baseball I ever got was
Lance Berkman’s on my ninth birthday. However, In spring training of 2008,
while I was trying to get autographs, he went off the field, in a golf cart,
into the clubhouse, (the Astros clubhouse at their spring training park,
Osceola County Stadium, is on the other side of the left field fence) totally
ignoring the fans.

That day, Miguel Tejada, Jose
Valverde, Hunter Pence, and Wesley Wright, among others came a signed for the
me and the rest of the fans. I understand that fans do get a little crazy
sometimes. Ex-Astro Roy Oswalt use to only sign to small groups of fans while
with the Astros but spring training is different. Which, I understand.

Anyway, it has been a gradual
decline in power since 2006 when “Fat Elvis” hit 45 home runs. Since then, he
has hit 34, 29, 25 and 13 (in 85 games this year). And with the exception of
2008 when he drove in 106 runs his RBI totals have gone done every year since
2006 when he had 136 of them.

Now, I expect his power numbers to
increase with the dimensions of Yankees stadium and not having to face Josh
Johnson, Ubaldo Jimenez, Roy Hallady, or Mat Latos (who has a 0.99 WHIP) along
with the rest of the National League pitchers. However, the one thing that
could make his disappointing season even more disappointing would be if he
can’t play ball in the spotlight of New York City.

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November 8, 2008

Hot stove- Astros-Rotation

Astros Rotation 2009

Rotation

The Astros have Roy O. and thats about it for the rotation. Roy O. didn’t even have a Roy O. type season, with only 165 k’s, a 3.54 era, and a 17-10 win lose record (this is great but not so much for Roy O.) Brian Moehler stepped up big this year becoming his old self like in 1998 and 2000 while with Detroit. While Brandon Backe stunk up the joint with a 6.05 era and a 9-14 win lose record. He also got arrested. Wandy Rodriguez did better then last but still needs a break out season. His carer high in wins is 10 in his rookie season. Randy Wolf is a free agent who did pretty good after the Astros got him from San Diego with 12 wins and 12 loses but a 4.30 era. Look for the Astros to sign him for about 3 million. But if I was Ed Wade I would only offer him 1.5 million if anything. He would be a good vet. in the clubhouse though.

Fixes- Could go out and get A.J. Burnett. Would be a great fix with all his K’s. Ryan Dempster could work but the Astros probably won’t go for him, because he will get overpaid. Oliver Perez wouldn’t be a fix but a nice addition. He strike out about 175 the past two years. He also did have a 4.22 era this year which is pretty good for his inconsistent carer. He would give a little leadership too. Derek Lowe would be a great fix . . . if they could afford him! The Astros would never be able to afford him. Look for Lowe to go to a big market team, like the Red Sox and Mets, but not the Yankees. Ben Sheets would be the best fix. They would just have to take the risk because he is injury prone. Paul Byrd would defintly give some leader ship but if they sign Wolf they would never get him. They might go after Bartolo Colon but I highly doubt it after that whole scam or story or whatever you want to call it with Boston. Josh Foog would be a great addition but I’m not sure it would fix their problem. He needs to regain his form that he had when with the the Rockies. Jon Garland would be great but he would be WAY overpriced. He only had 14 wins with one of the best offenses in baseball (the Angles) and had a 4.90 era. Mike Hampton was interrested in joining the Astros but I don’t know what ever happened to him. I could 100 percent see him in an Astros uniform. Livan Hernandez, Carl Pavano, Mark Mulder, and Mark Prior would be great but are all injury prone. Brandon Looper would also might work but not fix anything. But fit my plans if I was GM Ed Wade. And no their not in the Peavy race with that weak farm system. They could get Scott Olsen from Flordia though. And their not in the C.C. race AT ALL!

There were 18 guys pictures above the Astros need just one to fix their problem in the rotation

Need

Another ace or no 5th and 4th guy in the rotation. Like get two guys who are capable of being three guys and trade or mone to the pen the 4 and 5 guys.

Will . . .

Offer Wolf money, go after Livan Hernandez,Mike Hampton, and Josh Foog. Try to trade Backe or Wandy if they someone wants those guys for prospects but no one wants Backe.

Also . . .

How come every player the Astros trade the go to the world series.

Like the Rays, Rockies, Card’s, and Phillies. Trade some to the Cubs. I’m a Red Sox fan but I can’t stand the Cubs losing.

Did you now that Astros legend Jeff Bagwell was drafted by the Red Sox?