Post by bstros on Apr 16, 2007 20:21:50 GMT -5
Mailbag: How soon will Backe be back?
Reporter Alyson Footer answers Astros fans' questions
By Alyson Footer / MLB.com
Could Brandon Backe really be back with the Astros by August? Isn't that a little quick for someone who had Tommy John elbow surgery last September?
-- Judy T., Houston
Up until recently, I gave Backe about a 10-percent chance to return to the mound before spring of 2008. You could say I've had a change of heart on this one. I've heard rumblings from several people "in the know" that Backe could be back soon. In a previous article, I said he could return as early as August, but to be honest, it wouldn't shock me if he was back soon after the All-Star break.
Backe's been ahead of schedule in his rehab and hasn't had any setbacks. That obviously could change, but if he stays healthy and continues progressing, he could return sooner than any of us originally thought.
I was curious about Rick White. He has looked pretty sharp so far this season, and it made me wonder if there would be an opportunity for him this year to get a chance at the closing role.
-- Josh D., Houston
I can't imagine White would ever win the closer's role outright. The plan right now is to give most of the save opportunities to Dan Wheeler with hopes that Brad Lidge will someday be able to reclaim his old job.
That said, White and Chad Qualls are going to be sharing the setup duties, and there will be days that Wheeler needs to rest, after making three or four consecutive outings or throwing too many pitches in one outing. On those days, Astros manager Phil Garner may turn to Qualls or White to close games.
I don't understand one thing. Why is Garner so lenient on the team when they get beat with a score of 10-1? All he can say is, "Well, we just didn't play good ball today." It's like a broken record every time. What is it going to take to get these guys to wake up? One more thing. Why is Craig Biggio getting so many starts when all I've seen him do is strike out at almost every at-bat? Hello, calling Hunter Pence, Pence, are you there?
-- Jason K., Houston
Garner deals with issues the way they should be dealt with -- behind closed doors. He's not one to air out the team through the media, although he took plenty of heat during the World Series in '05 when he said the team's performance was embarrassing. The easiest way for a manager to lose a clubhouse is to gripe about it through the media. I've heard stories of some fantastic Garner meltdowns after bad losses -- before the media was let in his office. Two weeks after he took the job in '04, he beat the door to his bathroom in his office so severely it had to be replaced, if I remember correctly.
By the time we reporters entered the room, however, he was calm, cool and collected -- and, most importantly -- diplomatic. That can go a long way in a clubhouse.
Regarding Biggio, the club has made the commitment to play him regularly as he pursues his 3,000th hit. I have no idea what will happen in terms of his playing time once he reaches the milestone. If he's still hitting .222 by then, I would imagine he'll share playing time with Mark Loretta.
If Adam Everett were to struggle as he has done previously, could you see Loretta starting, and Everett coming in as a defensive replacement?
-- Anthony R., Atascocita
No. I suppose if Everett was hitting .150 at the All-Star break they'd have to do something, but as long as he can hold his own, get a couple of hits here and there and do the little things like move some runners over and steal bases from time to time, he's not losing his job. Loretta can play second, short and third and I would imagine he'll see the least amount of playing time at short.
Who do you see taking over in center field in '08 when Chris Burke moves to second base?
-- Brent L., Beaumont
Barring any major trades or blockbuster signings, I would anticipate Pence getting a very long, long look at Spring Training next year and it would be safe to say that he'll be a favorite to win the center field job when camp breaks. That said, a lot can happen between now and then. But if Pence has a good year at Triple-A this year I see no reason why he can't be given a shot at the big leagues in '08.
On that note, it would not surprise me if Pence appeared in the big leagues at some point this year.
While I think Wheeler is a better option at closer than Lidge, I don't believe that he can be the closer that the Astros need. Are there any other players who are ready physically and mentally to step into the closer's role?
-- Mehran, Galveston
Not at this point. But down the road, right-hander Felipe Paulino could be a fit. He has a plus fastball and the makings of a couple of different breaking balls. He's been working through shoulder tendinitis and stayed in Florida for extended Spring Training, but the club is high on what he could offer in the future.
Why did the Astros choose Chris Sampson over Fernando Nieve as the fifth starter? And why didn't Nieve at least make the bullpen? Is he no longer being looked at as a reliever or a potential closer? What are the Astros' plans for him at Round Rock?
-- Sue M., Houston
Nieve has not shown that he can be an effective starter, and by effective, I mean efficient. Nieve's numbers during Spring Training were good, but they didn't tell the whole story. He threw entirely too many pitches. He'd go four innings and be up to 75 pitches. That's not going to do the Astros any good to have to burn through the bullpen every time he pitches, considering Woody Williams is also one who's probably not going to go longer than five or six innings on most days.
Sampson throws strikes. He pitches quickly and efficiently and while I have no idea how he'll do over the course of a full season, he certainly is showing he can be counted for a solid start every fifth day.
The Astros would like for Nieve to be a starter, and he's in Round Rock's rotation.
I know it's way out there and "out-of-the-box," but do you think the Astros would entertain the idea of bringing Roger Clemens back as their full-time closer? He loves being in the spotlight (not to mention all the headlines that would result), he is great under pressure, and it would provide the opportunity to throw fewer pitches at a time so he could extend his career and possibly play with his son. It probably would never happen because of his traveling arrangements, but I just wanted to get your take.
--Scott, Spring
Ding ding ding! You answered the question yourself -- Roger's schedule would never allow for him to be a closer, because closers don't know when they're going to pitch and therefore have to be there every day. Clemens isn't going to go for that.
One thing I've learned about Clemens -- he doesn't need to create reasons to put himself in the spotlight. The spotlight follows him regardless of what he's doing. Joining the team midseason and putting up his usual spectacular numbers will be plenty to draw attention to himself. Closing games wouldn't be any more glitzy than starting games. Plus, he has no interest in being a closer.
I believe Roger could pitch another three years if he wanted to (and I don't think he wants to). Like his son Koby said in Spring Training, even though he has had to deal with leg, groin and back issues, the one thing that has never let him down is his arm. Koby said "it's almost like it's bionic."
Alyson Footer is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
Reporter Alyson Footer answers Astros fans' questions
By Alyson Footer / MLB.com
Could Brandon Backe really be back with the Astros by August? Isn't that a little quick for someone who had Tommy John elbow surgery last September?
-- Judy T., Houston
Up until recently, I gave Backe about a 10-percent chance to return to the mound before spring of 2008. You could say I've had a change of heart on this one. I've heard rumblings from several people "in the know" that Backe could be back soon. In a previous article, I said he could return as early as August, but to be honest, it wouldn't shock me if he was back soon after the All-Star break.
Backe's been ahead of schedule in his rehab and hasn't had any setbacks. That obviously could change, but if he stays healthy and continues progressing, he could return sooner than any of us originally thought.
I was curious about Rick White. He has looked pretty sharp so far this season, and it made me wonder if there would be an opportunity for him this year to get a chance at the closing role.
-- Josh D., Houston
I can't imagine White would ever win the closer's role outright. The plan right now is to give most of the save opportunities to Dan Wheeler with hopes that Brad Lidge will someday be able to reclaim his old job.
That said, White and Chad Qualls are going to be sharing the setup duties, and there will be days that Wheeler needs to rest, after making three or four consecutive outings or throwing too many pitches in one outing. On those days, Astros manager Phil Garner may turn to Qualls or White to close games.
I don't understand one thing. Why is Garner so lenient on the team when they get beat with a score of 10-1? All he can say is, "Well, we just didn't play good ball today." It's like a broken record every time. What is it going to take to get these guys to wake up? One more thing. Why is Craig Biggio getting so many starts when all I've seen him do is strike out at almost every at-bat? Hello, calling Hunter Pence, Pence, are you there?
-- Jason K., Houston
Garner deals with issues the way they should be dealt with -- behind closed doors. He's not one to air out the team through the media, although he took plenty of heat during the World Series in '05 when he said the team's performance was embarrassing. The easiest way for a manager to lose a clubhouse is to gripe about it through the media. I've heard stories of some fantastic Garner meltdowns after bad losses -- before the media was let in his office. Two weeks after he took the job in '04, he beat the door to his bathroom in his office so severely it had to be replaced, if I remember correctly.
By the time we reporters entered the room, however, he was calm, cool and collected -- and, most importantly -- diplomatic. That can go a long way in a clubhouse.
Regarding Biggio, the club has made the commitment to play him regularly as he pursues his 3,000th hit. I have no idea what will happen in terms of his playing time once he reaches the milestone. If he's still hitting .222 by then, I would imagine he'll share playing time with Mark Loretta.
If Adam Everett were to struggle as he has done previously, could you see Loretta starting, and Everett coming in as a defensive replacement?
-- Anthony R., Atascocita
No. I suppose if Everett was hitting .150 at the All-Star break they'd have to do something, but as long as he can hold his own, get a couple of hits here and there and do the little things like move some runners over and steal bases from time to time, he's not losing his job. Loretta can play second, short and third and I would imagine he'll see the least amount of playing time at short.
Who do you see taking over in center field in '08 when Chris Burke moves to second base?
-- Brent L., Beaumont
Barring any major trades or blockbuster signings, I would anticipate Pence getting a very long, long look at Spring Training next year and it would be safe to say that he'll be a favorite to win the center field job when camp breaks. That said, a lot can happen between now and then. But if Pence has a good year at Triple-A this year I see no reason why he can't be given a shot at the big leagues in '08.
On that note, it would not surprise me if Pence appeared in the big leagues at some point this year.
While I think Wheeler is a better option at closer than Lidge, I don't believe that he can be the closer that the Astros need. Are there any other players who are ready physically and mentally to step into the closer's role?
-- Mehran, Galveston
Not at this point. But down the road, right-hander Felipe Paulino could be a fit. He has a plus fastball and the makings of a couple of different breaking balls. He's been working through shoulder tendinitis and stayed in Florida for extended Spring Training, but the club is high on what he could offer in the future.
Why did the Astros choose Chris Sampson over Fernando Nieve as the fifth starter? And why didn't Nieve at least make the bullpen? Is he no longer being looked at as a reliever or a potential closer? What are the Astros' plans for him at Round Rock?
-- Sue M., Houston
Nieve has not shown that he can be an effective starter, and by effective, I mean efficient. Nieve's numbers during Spring Training were good, but they didn't tell the whole story. He threw entirely too many pitches. He'd go four innings and be up to 75 pitches. That's not going to do the Astros any good to have to burn through the bullpen every time he pitches, considering Woody Williams is also one who's probably not going to go longer than five or six innings on most days.
Sampson throws strikes. He pitches quickly and efficiently and while I have no idea how he'll do over the course of a full season, he certainly is showing he can be counted for a solid start every fifth day.
The Astros would like for Nieve to be a starter, and he's in Round Rock's rotation.
I know it's way out there and "out-of-the-box," but do you think the Astros would entertain the idea of bringing Roger Clemens back as their full-time closer? He loves being in the spotlight (not to mention all the headlines that would result), he is great under pressure, and it would provide the opportunity to throw fewer pitches at a time so he could extend his career and possibly play with his son. It probably would never happen because of his traveling arrangements, but I just wanted to get your take.
--Scott, Spring
Ding ding ding! You answered the question yourself -- Roger's schedule would never allow for him to be a closer, because closers don't know when they're going to pitch and therefore have to be there every day. Clemens isn't going to go for that.
One thing I've learned about Clemens -- he doesn't need to create reasons to put himself in the spotlight. The spotlight follows him regardless of what he's doing. Joining the team midseason and putting up his usual spectacular numbers will be plenty to draw attention to himself. Closing games wouldn't be any more glitzy than starting games. Plus, he has no interest in being a closer.
I believe Roger could pitch another three years if he wanted to (and I don't think he wants to). Like his son Koby said in Spring Training, even though he has had to deal with leg, groin and back issues, the one thing that has never let him down is his arm. Koby said "it's almost like it's bionic."
Alyson Footer is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.