What's wrong with the Astros?
1. Lee is too heavy to run the bases or pick up a ground ball in left field.
2. Valverde acts like a "prima-dona" half the time.
3. Tejada is a show boat trying to field gounders with his bare hands and when using his glove, cannot get the ball out of the mit.
4. Geoff Geary pitches like he wants to be traded.[/quote]
In order:
1. Lee I think is a bit lazy and shows it. If he gave a damn half the time, they'd have fewer runs scored on them. Even I know - and I never played the sport competitively (and even there not much), that if I wanted to guarantee myself a base to hit to his field because he'd not run for it.
2. Valverde and prima donna - you'll have to clarify a bit. I personally do not mind his emotion during a game or a strike out because he's been pitching better when he's allowed to show his emotion.
Now, if it's in regard to his recent injury, I'm not sure why he's acting like that. He's good, but not that good because he can only pitch a couple of innings and that's it. (Man - if he could pitch like that for a whole game we'd actually have a good pitcher though).
3. Tejada is showboating a bit admittedly, and what's sad is he's one of out better hitters and players right now. While he is playing better I think because he doesn't have the pressure from lying to Congress (meaning he's paying his dues too), he needs to not show off because it'll affect runs.
4. Geary and trading - this wouldn't surprise me with him or other players.
I think the biggest problem, and why No. 4 has an impact is that I think Cooper is not invoking any confidence in the team. I've noticed the moment Cooper became coach, the team's gameplay went down. Even when they went on that hot streak last year - when they lost at that "home" (yeah... Milwaukee is closer to Houston than Chicago, and I'm the Queen Mother), instead of telling the team they could overcome it, Cooper seemed to give up along with the team. They then crashed and burned and eliminated themselves from contention.
What the team needs is a manager who can instill that confidence as well as young talent. I've said elsewhere the Astros' charm in the past was being full of no- or little-known names that grew up, and they've done well since - some, even if they're on a different team, being important to winning a World Series.