It's very sad to hear that Kirby Puckett has passed away. He was a great player, and will be remembered for many things throughout his career, his most famous being the home run in game 6 of the 1991 World Series. Baseball won't be the same without Kirby Puckett.
Now, back to spring training. The Astros were able to pull off a win against the Nats, with Jason Lane hitting a home run. Now I haven't personally been able to connect to the MLB Radio, so I haven't been able to listen to the broadcasts. Based on reading recaps, however, it seems that Jason Lane has been doing very well. Several scouts have deemed Lane as a possible 40 HR guy, and hoepfully he can take another step this season.

Tomorrow is the WBC, and the USA will be taking on Mexico. I'm really excited to see the USA team in action. I'll be sure to post more now that Spring Training is underway.

Kirby Puckett (1961-2006)

It has been too long since I last posted, but my computer came down with a virus that made me have to re-load all of Windows XP and it took a few weekends to fix. I'm back now, with Spring Training starting up, and the baseball feeling has returned. Pitchers and Catchers reported to Osecola County Stadium, and all of the position players will be suiting up on Thursday.
Roger Clemens said he wanted to heed his mothers wishes for him to retire, and then told Verducci of SI that he wouldn't pitch a full season. It's a toss up. I do think Clemens wants to pitch, but I think he isn't sure that he will durable enough to last 30 starts. The World Baseball Classic will tell all; if he pitches well and seems to not have any problems, then I would figure that he will pitch in '06. If he doesn't pitch well, then he might just call is quits.

Personally, if Roger Clemens were to retire, then I think it would do the Astros good. We get to cultivate some of our young arms, and we save a good 15 million off the payroll. Remember, Andy Pettite and Roy Oswalt are free-agents after this season. We need to keep some money so that we can offer them good contracts to pitch after '06, in Astros uniforms that is. But if Roger decides to come back, then we have a strong rotation IF HE STAYS HEALTHY. I would hate to see Roger go down and spend a couple months on the DL. We minus well go and throw some $100 dollar bills down a sewer drain.

I haven't heard much news on Bagwell, but I hope he will be reporting to spring training on Thursday. Hopefully he is ready to go.

I'm getting excited to see the World Baseball Classic, but I still think that it should be in November instead of March. I want to see a full USA team, not one where several players decide not to play. I understand why they do it and I agree. Your loyalty lies with your team and a 162-game season rather than a 2 week tournament. I don't want to see Berkman or Lidge go out and tear a muscle and spend April and May on the DL. Give them 4 -5 months from November, and they would be better. Nonetheless, I'm still pumped to see the teams play each other. Go USA!

That about wraps up baseball right now. There will be more to talk about when the players report to camp. It's good to be back!

LETS GO 'STROS!

Yup, another Predictions posting, but with not much happening in H-Town, this is about all there is to write about. I really DON'T want to talk about the whole Bagwell thing, because it is way too depressing. So I give you my 2006 season NL central division predictions:
1) St. Louis Cardinals:
They still are the best, regardless of their loses this offseason. Remember, Scott Rolen was missing from their lineup most of last season. (Did you notice?) With Poo-holes, Rolen, Edmounds and Eckstein, they still have a powerful lineup. And the one-two punch of Carpenter-Mulder is effective too. They have a good close in Izzy, and are a very well rounded ballclub. I don't see them winning 100 games though. Minus Walker, Reggie Sanders, and Matt Morris, the Cardinals aren't as dangerous at they were, and I do expect a tighter race for the NL Central Crown. Record: 92-70.

2) Houston Astros:
The good guys hold onto second place this season. Roger Clemens will come back, and the big three of Clemens, Oswalt and Pettitte will be very effective. I also look for Backe to make big strides this year and prove to us that he is a consistant starter. Check out the fifth spot in the rotation. It may be Wandy Rodriguez, but Bucholtz, Hirsch, or Nieve may be given a chance to show their stuff. The offense should be even better. Jason Lane has a year under his belt. So does Willy T, if he plays. And Preston Wilson, the Astros biggest offseason acquisition should add some timely hits to boost the offense. If Bagwell plays, he could also chip in with 20 or so home runs. The offense will be fine. Our bullpen also looks good, with the other big three of Qualls, Wheeler and Lidge closing out games. However, we won't be able to win the division, much due to a slow start at the beginning of the season. Record: 90-72

3) Chicago Cubs:
The Cubs did a lot this offseason. They got Jacque Jones, and Juan Pierre to fill holes in the outfield. They got bullpen help in Howry and Eyre. They are a better rounded team, but I put them in third mostly because of three things. 1) Injuries. They have a lot of injury prone players (i.e. Mark Prior, Kerry Wood, Aramis Ramirez, to name a few) who have big impacts when they don't play. If these players can't play regularly, then the Cubs won't go anywhere. 2) Derrek Lee isn't going to hit 40+ HR's and have 120 RBI. He had a great season last year, but for a career .260 guy, I don't think he will be hitting close to last year's numbers. He did taper off at the end of last season. Expect 30 or so home runs out of Lee, but not 40. 3) No good closer. The Cubs don't have a reliable closer to finish games. And in the majors, if you don't have a good closer, then you aren't going to be winning any championships. Record: 82-80.

4) Milwaukee Brewers:
The Brew Crew is on it's way up. They won't be contenders this year, much due tot he fact that Prince Fielder and Rickie Weeks still have to do some learning, but the Brewers are looking up. They have the right pieces. Carlos Lee provides great power numbers. Geoff Jenkins and Brady Clark are also great players and help round up one of the better outfields in the majors. The Brewers also have a decent rotation with Ben Sheets, Chris Capuano, and Doug Davis. If Ben Sheets stays healthy, then look for the Brewers to do all right. The bullpen has a good closer in Derrick Turnbow. Like I said, they have all the right pieces. But it's just a matter of filling all small holes and getting the young guys some playing time and experience. Record: 79-83.

5) Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pirates had a busy offseason, acquiring some parts that bring them up from the bottom of the Central. They have Jeromy Burnitz, a powerful outfielder. They got Sean Casey, who hits for high average to play first. Add that with Jason Bay, their all-star outfielder, and they don't look too bad. Their staff is anchored by Zack Duke, a young guy who had a tremendous season for the Bucs last year. The Pirates have young talent in Doumit and Jack Wilson. They have a lot of potential. However, they aren't ready to become contenders. They still have some holes to fill, especially in the bullpen and in the starting staff. Look for some progress. Record: 70-92.

6) Cincinnatti Reds:
The new bottom dwellers, the Reds have a lot of problems. They do have new management, and that may mean some changes, but not right now. They have some good building blocks with Adam Dunn,and Aaron Harang, but they have a large number of holes in the starting staff, the bullpen, etc. It could be a long season for the Reds. Record 63-99.

There you go. Leave me with any comments or thoughts you have on my predictions. Be happy to leave your own!

LETS GO 'STROS!

Berkman will be undergoing knee surgery....Don't groan, this will only be minor surgery to attempt to replace some scarred tissue, and he should be back by spring training. Well, that said, it doesn't look like Fat Elvis will be playing in the World Baseball Classic, but that isn't something that bothers me. It just ensures that Berkman, the majority of the Astros' offense, will be on the field come April rather than in a cast due to an injury sustainted in during the World Baseball Classic. Well, at least Berkman has an excuse. Barry Bonds isn't playing, and I understand his reasoning. He doesn't want to get hurt, he wants to play...But knowing Barry, is he really playing for the fans, or the home run record? He hasn't shown much love towards the fans at all. He isn't generally well recieved outside of SBC. So does he just want to keep racking up the home runs hoping to break Hank Aaron's mark? Or could he really be doing it for the Giants and San Fran, for the fans and the good of the team. I'll leave you to decide.
And the Bagwell issue is just getting uglier. The Astros will be filing the claim, and it may be so that Bagwell won't get his 450th home run. I don't want to say much since I've already had two posts on the matter, but this is too much. I feel terrible for Bagwell, and I do wish that he could be given the chance to play.

Roger still isn't close to a decision, but I bet he will say that he will play in February, and then entertain offers from the Red Sox, Yankees and Rangers, and not reach a decision, wait until May, and then sign with Houston. That's just a wild guess though.

I'm outta here guys. Until next time!
LETS GO 'STROS

(Kobe with 81 points? Wow.)

It's been awhile since my last post, but it's been one heck of a week. I bet I'm not the only one glad it's Friday.
I really like how the USA finally let Cuba into the World Baseball Classic. This was the right move to make. Remember, it is the WORLD Baseball Classic, not the Parts of the World and Countries the USA like Classic. Even if they are communist, they have a right to show their stuff in the tournament. Speaking of the devil, the Astros have six guys on the USA roster; more than any other team. While that sounds like a great honor, I am not totally into the idea of 6 of our stars (Andy Pettitte, Lance Berkman, Roger Clemens, Brad Lidge, Morgan Ensberg, and Dan Wheeler) playing in the Classic. If one of them sustains an injury, we could be looking at a long season. Now that A-Rod is playing, I bet Morgan won't see too much playing time. But Lance Berkman, Andy Pettitte, and Roger Clemens could easily tweak something and have it bother them for awhile. On the up side, the Astros don't get into the hitting groove usually until late May, so this may speed things up for Berkman and Ensberg and allow them to have a lengthier "Spring Training." Just for you Astros fans, the Dominican Republic will play the Astros in an exhibition game on March 5 at Osecola County Stadium in Kissimme. Hopefully some network will air the game. It will be a good chance to see our young guns in action.

Other Astros News...Dan Wheeler, Brad Lidge and Adam Everett all were signed to deals by the Astros. Morgan Ensberg is the only arbitration eligible player that hasn't been signed.

Otherwise, we've entered the more boring part of the season. With the Hot Stove basically ice cold, and Spring Training about a month away, we've still got some waiting to do. Until Next Time!

LETS GO 'STROS!

First, thanks to Strifevaleric for correcting me...The insurance agency would be be paying around 15.6 million of his 17 million contract, not the Astros taking back his money. Sorry guys.
Second, I'm really confused by our front office. During the Beltran ordeal, they made such a big effort to try and show Beltran that it wasn't about the money. Now, with Bagwell, it seems that money is the only thing that they are worried about. When we signed Preston Wilson, I was expecting the Astros to trade Lane or Taveras to the ChiSox or somewhere, just to clear a spot for Bags. Now that no trade seems likely, I have to question the front office. What are they thinking? Bagwell clearly wants to play. It's not for the money (which is extremely rare these days) and I don't think its for Bagwell's career statistics either.
Looking at those statistics here:
Hits: 2,314 HR: 449 RBI: 1,529 Career AVG: .297 2B: 488 BB: 1401

I just don't see any career numbers that Bagwell could want to chase, save maybe for 500 home runs, or raising his career avg. to over .300. 3,000 hits is out of the question, and 2,000 RBI's is unreachable. I doubt that bagwell is just hanging around to boost a few numbers up to maybe make the Hall of Fame attainable. I think Bagwell wants to go out with a bang, by playing one healthy season and see if he can get some respectable totals to go out on. I would love to see Bags hit 20 or so home runs and drive in 60-70, and then tip his cap on the last day of the season/playoffs. For Bagwell and Houston, that would be great.

I am appalled at the way the Astros have chosen to deal with Bagwell. For a guy who has given himself to the organization and made it his personal job to try and better it in anyway possible, the Astros brass have sure "shown" their appreciation. I really think that McLane should quit penny-pinching like usual and just accept Bagwell as part of the team. McLane should have more than enough money after making it to the World Series. It is not a do or die matter. We aren't about to file for bankruptcy. Give Bagwell what he is owed. He has, in fact, on several occasions allowed the organization to use his money to better the club, while agreeing to get payed later.

McLane, don't be stupid. Bagwell is the heart of the Astros. Don't run him out of town because of a bad shoulder that wasn't his fault.

Thanks for your comments on Bagwell. I think all Astros fans stand united here. Keep 'em coming!

LETS GO 'STROS!

Jeff Bagwell has been the face of the Astros throughout the 90's and one of, if not the greatest player to wear an Astros uniform. Recently, he has suffered so much pain from shoulder "arthritis" and wasn't able to play much at all last season. He works every day trying to strengthen his arm so he can throw a baseball come spring training, and hopefully play first base for the Astros in April. However there is talk that Drayton McLane, the Astros owner, wants Bagwell to declare he is unable to play every day do the Astros can collect around 15 million dollars out of the 17 that Bagwell is due. Remember, Bagwell was a guy who would allow the Astros to take some of his money earler on so that we could add some players if the payroll was tight. Now we are trying to take that money away from him. I really can't believe the Astros organization would do something like this to a guy like Bagwell...Do we really need the money that bad? Bagwell has been one of my favorite Astros players ever, and one of Houston's favorites too. Is this the way we want to end it? Just cutting Bagwell off completely. For as classy as the Astros organization tends to be, this has got to be one of the most-heartless requests from the Astros. Hunsicker would have never asked Bagwell to do this. For as much as Bagwell has done for this organization, we aren't showing him really any gratitude for it.  Bagwell, don't let this fool you, Houston still loves ya, even though McLane may not.

The Astros made their second acquisition of the season by signing left reliever Trevor Miller to a 1-year, 1.3 million dollar contract. (Is it just me, or is that a heck of a lot of money for a reliever?) Anyway, Trevor boasts a 2-2 record with a 4.04 ERA last year for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. (And we gave him 1.3 million?) he will give us a second lefty option in the pen, but I'm still wondering why he is making more than Brad Lidge. Strange.
The Astros have been involved with two rumors, one with the Chicago White Sox, where the Astros would give up Willy Taveras for starter Jose Contreras. The other one has the Orioles getting Adam Everett, Brad Lidge and a top prospect for Miguel Tejada. These are two stupid trades, ones which the Astros shouldn't do. Don't trade Taveras; we don't what he is capable of. He has had one season, one which he started everyday when the season before he was in Double-A. Taveras has LOTS of room for improvement, and could be a great Carl Crawford like outfielder with work. Don't give up on Taveras just because he had worse numbers towards then end of the season...It was his first full one!

And with Lidge, don't be dumb enough to let go of one of the game's best closers. He had a rough postseason, granted, but that doesn't mean he is washed up. Trading Lidge would be like the Yankees trading Derek Jeter or the Cardinals trading Pujols...It just doesn't make sense. Plus, Tejada would probably go for free agency after one year with the 'Stros just to get more money anyway...So why do it?

Otherwise, in baseball...

Jeff Weaver won't be a Dodger since both sides didn't agree on a contract before the deadline passed, meaning he will have to wait until May 1st, or sign with another team. Its a mystery who he would go to...The Orioles?

Corey Patterson's era in Wrigley is over. He was traded to the Orioles for minor leaguers...At least Chicago is rid of him now. But then again, I liked it when he was in center and would slip on the wet grass against the Astros...

That about does it for today. Not much news in baseball, and probably should be slow until spring training...Leave any comments or trade rumors you may here!
LETS GO 'STROS!

Right before I go off to bed, let me congratulate Texas on it's 41-38 win over USC in the Rose Bowl. One of the greatest games I have ever seen, along with a great performance by Vince Young and the Texas defense to stop Reggie Bush. If I am Casserly (GM of the Texans) and Young goes into the draft, I would be thinking about getting him instead. I'm going to get some sleep. HOOK 'EM HORNS!
'06 Rose Bowl Champs!

Tim Purpura succeeded is signing his first free agent outside the club in his two year career by netting former Nationals/Rockies centerfielder Preston Wilson to a 1 year, 4 million dollar contract. This was a risky acquistion, but one which could pay off. Wilson has good power numbers (25 HR while batting half the season in RFK stadium) and had a career high 141 RBI in '03. However, Wilson has high strikeout numbers (151 K) and is injury prone. (played only 58 games in '04)In the long run, if Preston can stay healthy, then he will be able to get some hits with runners in scoring position. Now that the Astros have added a little pop to their lineup, there are some bigger problems to address.
First, the Astros have now seven outfielders on the team, Lance Berkman, Willy Taveras, Jason Lane, Chris Burke, Luke Scott, Orlando Palmeiro and Eric Bruntlett. With this massive overstock of OF's, the Astros will surely be shipping someone off in order to acquire another starter, or another bat. Here is where the speculation begins. Will the Astros trade Jason Lane, or Willy Taveras, or Chris Burke? The Red Sox and Orioles have some holes to fill at first and in the outfield, and have some prominent names like Miguel Tejada and Manny Ramirez to bargain with. Could the Astros possibly package a deal for either one of these all-stars?

Or, the Astros could acquire another starter, like Jose Contreras or Barry Zito, if either team would accept some outfielders in exchange for these pitchers.

Astros fans, if you were sleeping before, now is the time to wake up. The Astros are certain to start getting very active in trying to trade some of our OF's.

Leave some feedback on any trades you would like to see the Astros make, or how you feel about the acquisition of Preston Wilson.
Till Next Time
LETS GO 'STROS!