Post by #1 Jays Fan on Mar 27, 2008 18:05:55 GMT -5
Last season: 73-89
4th in N.L. Central
Manager: Cecil Cooper, 1st full season, 15-16 (.484) career record
New faces: IF Geoff Blum, OF Michael Bourn, RHP Doug Brocail, RHP Jack Cassel, RHP Shawn Chacon, OF Jose Cruz Jr., OF Victor Diaz, OF Darin Erstad, RHP Geoff Geary, C J.R. House, 2B Kaz Matsui , OF David Newhan, RHP Chad Paronto, SS Miguel Tejada, RHP Jose Valverde, RHP Oscar Villarreal
Left town: RHP Matt Albers (BAL), OF Josh Anderson (ATL), IF Eric Bruntlett (PHI), IF Chris Burke (ARI), SS Adam Everett (MIN), RHP Juan Gutierrez (ARI), RHP Jason Jennings (TEX), 3B Mike Lamb (MIN), RHP Brad Lidge (PHI), LHP Trever Miller (TB), RHP Chan Ho Park (LAD), RHP Chad Qualls (ARI), IF Cody Ransom (NYY), OF Luke Scott (BAL)
Overview: Two years removed from a World Series appearance, the Astros regressed in 2007, leading to the in-season firing of manager Phil Garner and fourth place finish, 16 games under .500. That also led to a revolving door, with 30 different players either coming or going this off-season. And the biggest name they acquired, former All-Star shortstop Miguel Tejada, was named in the Mitchell Report as an alleged steroid user. He'll be joined this season by Kaz Matsui in a reformed middle infield. They also sent prospects and spare parts to the Diamondbacks to bring in new closer Jose Valverde and his 47 saves from a year ago. There's no doubt that the Astros will be able to score runs. Whether they can keep the opposition off the board remains to be seen. Hopefully an upgrade in their mid-infield defence will take some of the pressure of a sub-standard pitching staff.
Stat to ponder: New second baseman Kaz Matsui had 32 steals last season with Colorado. That's more than twice the number any Astros player stole last season. Top prospect: C J.R. Towles. Played at four different levels last season, finishing the year with the Astros. Didn't look out of place in the bigs driving in 12 runs in 14 games.
Hitting
2007 AVG (RANK): .260 (23rd), RUNS/GAME: 4.46 (24th), HR: 167 (17th)
Their offense struggled to score runs last season and the arrival of Tejada, a career .287 hitter, and Matsui with a career-high 32 steals last season, changes the offensive dynamic of the team. But Tejada failed to hit 20 home runs for the first time since 1998 and had health issues after playing all 162 games for six-straight seasons. If he can return to form, Tejada will join Lance Berkman and Carlos 'El Caballo' Lee in the middle of a potent line-up. The Astros are banking that Hunter Pence, and his all-out style, will rub off on a team that was decidedly flat in the second half of last season. Towles goes from prospect to everyday catcher, although his bat is more advanced than his pitch-calling skills and that may pose problems.
Pitching
2007 ERA (RANK): 4.68 (21st), OPP AVG: .273 (21st)
The Astros have a qualified ace in Roy Oswalt. His presence guarantees that they'll rarely go on a five-game losing streak. But after that, there's a steep drop off. Number two starter Brandon Backe missed five months last season after elbow surgery and his return to form will be imperative if the team is to improve. Woody Williams is penciled into the three-spot, but he's four years removed from his best season and will turn 42 this season. New closer Valverde was lights out last season but was deemed expendable by the Diamondbacks which makes one have to wonder. They are without a set-up after dealing away half of their bullpen since the middle of last season.
Statsman's non-binding prediction: 4th place looks about as good as it's going to get for a team in transition and without an identity.
4th in N.L. Central
Manager: Cecil Cooper, 1st full season, 15-16 (.484) career record
New faces: IF Geoff Blum, OF Michael Bourn, RHP Doug Brocail, RHP Jack Cassel, RHP Shawn Chacon, OF Jose Cruz Jr., OF Victor Diaz, OF Darin Erstad, RHP Geoff Geary, C J.R. House, 2B Kaz Matsui , OF David Newhan, RHP Chad Paronto, SS Miguel Tejada, RHP Jose Valverde, RHP Oscar Villarreal
Left town: RHP Matt Albers (BAL), OF Josh Anderson (ATL), IF Eric Bruntlett (PHI), IF Chris Burke (ARI), SS Adam Everett (MIN), RHP Juan Gutierrez (ARI), RHP Jason Jennings (TEX), 3B Mike Lamb (MIN), RHP Brad Lidge (PHI), LHP Trever Miller (TB), RHP Chan Ho Park (LAD), RHP Chad Qualls (ARI), IF Cody Ransom (NYY), OF Luke Scott (BAL)
Overview: Two years removed from a World Series appearance, the Astros regressed in 2007, leading to the in-season firing of manager Phil Garner and fourth place finish, 16 games under .500. That also led to a revolving door, with 30 different players either coming or going this off-season. And the biggest name they acquired, former All-Star shortstop Miguel Tejada, was named in the Mitchell Report as an alleged steroid user. He'll be joined this season by Kaz Matsui in a reformed middle infield. They also sent prospects and spare parts to the Diamondbacks to bring in new closer Jose Valverde and his 47 saves from a year ago. There's no doubt that the Astros will be able to score runs. Whether they can keep the opposition off the board remains to be seen. Hopefully an upgrade in their mid-infield defence will take some of the pressure of a sub-standard pitching staff.
Stat to ponder: New second baseman Kaz Matsui had 32 steals last season with Colorado. That's more than twice the number any Astros player stole last season. Top prospect: C J.R. Towles. Played at four different levels last season, finishing the year with the Astros. Didn't look out of place in the bigs driving in 12 runs in 14 games.
Hitting
2007 AVG (RANK): .260 (23rd), RUNS/GAME: 4.46 (24th), HR: 167 (17th)
Their offense struggled to score runs last season and the arrival of Tejada, a career .287 hitter, and Matsui with a career-high 32 steals last season, changes the offensive dynamic of the team. But Tejada failed to hit 20 home runs for the first time since 1998 and had health issues after playing all 162 games for six-straight seasons. If he can return to form, Tejada will join Lance Berkman and Carlos 'El Caballo' Lee in the middle of a potent line-up. The Astros are banking that Hunter Pence, and his all-out style, will rub off on a team that was decidedly flat in the second half of last season. Towles goes from prospect to everyday catcher, although his bat is more advanced than his pitch-calling skills and that may pose problems.
Pitching
2007 ERA (RANK): 4.68 (21st), OPP AVG: .273 (21st)
The Astros have a qualified ace in Roy Oswalt. His presence guarantees that they'll rarely go on a five-game losing streak. But after that, there's a steep drop off. Number two starter Brandon Backe missed five months last season after elbow surgery and his return to form will be imperative if the team is to improve. Woody Williams is penciled into the three-spot, but he's four years removed from his best season and will turn 42 this season. New closer Valverde was lights out last season but was deemed expendable by the Diamondbacks which makes one have to wonder. They are without a set-up after dealing away half of their bullpen since the middle of last season.
Statsman's non-binding prediction: 4th place looks about as good as it's going to get for a team in transition and without an identity.
