The Astros Report - Offseason Edition

Because I had to settle a bet.

Some Wisdom in Trading Away The Farm

There is some wisdom in what the Astros did during the off-season, in the trades that brought them Miguel Tejada, Jose Valverde, and Michael Bourn.  While Ken Rosenthal can rail against the deals all he wants, there is one thing you need to keep in mind.

None of the players traded was really a superstar.  In fact, many weren't really all that good.

Yes, I know, Chad Qualls and Brad Lidge are plenty badass.  But Lidge was likely gone in a year and Qualls, while solid, isn't a lights out reliever.

And of the prospects, the only one of real note was Troy Patton, who was sent to the Orioles.  Everyone else that was dealt was either a disappointment or wasn't a world beater. 

Overall, the Astros likely looked at their system, didn't like what they saw, and decided to spent what little collateral they had to improve their team.  So long as they draft the best player available from now on, there is every reason that the Astros can replensih the farm in a short period of time.

That's IF they spend money and IF they draft the best player available, not just who will sign.

Koby Clemens Moving To Catcher

After another year of disappointment, the Astros are moving Koby Clemens back to catcher.

Originally drafted as a catcher, the Astros moved Clemens to third base, feeling that he would his stocky frame would allow him to take the abuse of catching, and his arm would be more than adequate from behind the plate.  His bat, which has been disappointing thus far, would also look a lot better from behind the bag as well.

It's clear that there was some pressure on the Astros to draft Koby due to his dad, who was on the staff, but really, the Astros would have been better off spending the six figure bonus on someone else.  Anyhow, Clemens could really provide some value from behind the plate if he's able to be a adequate catcher.  Catching prospects are currently lacking in the majors and if Clemens can turn into at the very least a Gregg Zaun type of player, he's got a lot of value.

Astros Need To Re-Establish International Presence

Okay, one more, because quite frankly, I've had enough.

The Astros need to figure out why their pipeline to Latin America has dried up.

In the past, the Astros were kings of the Venezuelan Talent Market, with them signing player after player that was a serious talent.  Some of the former talent mined from Venezuela:  Bobby Abreu, Richard HIdalgo and Freddy Garcia, all of whom have enjoyed solid big league careers.

The talent has dried up.

Part of it has been Drayton McLane's tightening of the purse strings and refusing to pay up for big money talent in the draft or abroad.  But the other part is that the Astros didn't evolve  They weren't able to adjust for the times and as a result, several other teams now dominate the Venezuelan market and the Domincan, areas where the Astros did relatively well.

Whatever the case, it's time for Houston to re-establish their presence on the International Market.

Because all of the patch jobs, no matter the price, won't keep the franchise stable for much longer.

Friday Morning Closer

Here’s my five pitch outing for today.

Hey, Ken Rosenthal Ripped Me Off

If you all checked out FoxSports.com on Saturday night, you’ll see that Ken Rosenthal conveniently titled his post On The Block.  A screenshot is available here.

I do a Tuesday and Thursday feature on FoxBlogs called On The Block.

I blog it.  He does it via video.

Which leads me to ask one thing?

Is he a reader?

Hall of Fame Numbers to Change?

Let’s face it.  300 wins in today’s game is going to be hard to achieve.

Most pitchers, despite the improved facilities and such available, aren’t going to make 300 wins, making the feat a rarity.  Nowadays, prospects are kept in the minors till they’re 24 or so, and the use of bullpens have robbed several pitchers of the ability to hold on for the win. 

So, 300 game winners are going to be rarer and rarer.

What does this mean?

It could mean that the Gold Standard Rule of 300 wins being an automatic lock for a player to get into the hall could have to be changed.  It could be possible that only 250 to 280 wins could be considered to be Hall of Fame worthy.  Randy Johnson is going to get in (his 4000+ strikeouts punched his ticket).  It’s likely Curt Schilling will get in.  John Smoltz will get in, but I think his two year tour as the Braves’ closer helped cement his ballot status.  Pedro is going to get in.  And all four of these men have one thing in common.  All will likely retire short of 300 wins.

The problem with this is that this will re-open the debate on which players should be allowed into the Hall.  If Johnson and Smoltz get in, then don’t Tommy John and Bert Blyleven deserve to make it too.  What about David Cone, whose career is very similar to that of Schilling.  Orel Hershiser?  Jack Morris?

There lies the other side of possible relaxing the standard.  John and Blyeven should be in, but Hershiser and Morris don’t.  And there is the argument that Cone deserves to get in instead of Schilling because Cone has more titles and pitched a perfect game.  There is also the argument that Schilling didn’t suffer a complete flame out like Cone did at the end of his career.

If the standards do change, the Hall of Fame voting is suddenly going to be much more complicated.

Danny Almonte To Remain in New York?

Publicity freak show Danny Almonte was invited by the Yankees to attend a pre-draft workout at Yankee Stadium.  Almonte, however, was unable to attend because his team is still alive in the PSAL playoffs, according to league rules against working out for MLB teams while a team remains in season.  Almonte is expected to be drafted by either the Yankees or the Mets.  Marvelous.  Just what these two teams need.  More publicity.

 Leo Mazzone's Rep Is Questioned in Baltimore

The Baltimore Media is freaking out over the Orioles’ shoddy rotation.  And Mazzone apparently is to blame.

Here’s a news flash to you O’s fans. 

You guys were in crappy shape before.  It’s going to take some time for Mazzone to work things out.  It took Mazzone years to get things going in Atlanta.

And while the same media hammers Orioles management for not making a play for some of the free agents available, none of the better starters, such as Millwood, Washburn, or Weaver would have been willing to jump into that cesspool that is the Baltimore Orioles.  Plus, all three have had their own health issues, meaning that Peter Angelos would have blown any deal out of the water.

As for the talent level in Baltimore, most of that pitching staff really isn’t that good.  There is talent, but it needs to be honed and sharpened for it to be major league ready.  And frankly right now, that’s a hefty job on Mazzone as it is.  Combine that with Peter Angelos’ mistrust of free agents and some of the most terrible drafts in recent years and you see that the Orioles problems range much more than just the pitching staff.  The best thing for the Orioles to have done was trade Miguel Tejada, their most valuable trading chip, to a prospect rich team and get some building blocks for the future.

Have we overrated Mazzone as a pitching coach?  Yes we have.   But still, things take time and as it is, the Orioles media and fanbase, clearly tired of years of sucking with style, want a miracle to happen. 

That’s not going to happen.

 Bargain Hunting?

Speaking of the Yankees, they seem to be stretching as far as available talent.

Take this example:

The Yankees are in discussions with former Houston Astro and former Texas Ranger Richard Hidalgo.  He’s working out for them in Tampa and could get a minor league contract.  Hidalgo’s last good season was in 2004, but if he manages a Aaron Small-style comeback, it’s possible that he could develop into a average outfielder.  He’ll be nothing like Matsui or Sheffield, but could give Bubba Crosby-ish production.