Your 2008 Astros Part III
With the Position Players and Starting Rotation set, lets take a look at next year's Bullpen.
This year has a big bearing on the end of the Astros pen. Personally, I think Brad Lidge will never get over his mental problems closing. The Astros should have left him as a setup type guy since he performs like the Lidge of old in that role. Then they could trade him and get at least something in return.
But that wasn't the case. The Astros are putting him back in the closer's role and I think he'll be there next year as well. Ex-closer Dan Wheeler struggled just as much as Lidge did in the 9th inning. He'll likely return to his setup role next year. Both Lidge and Wheeler are arbitration eligible, meaning the Astros will likely have them back as long as both sides agree to terms.
With the 8th and 9th inning roles set, lets take a look at the middle innings. The 7th inning spot looks to be Chad Qualls again. He's arbitration eligible in the offseason as well. In fact, he's not a Free Agent until 2011. It appears the 7, 8, 9 rotation looks to be the same as it has been the last few years.
With the 7th, 8th and 9th inning roles set, lets take a look at the middle innings. Trevor Miller did excellent last year for the Astros but has fallen on hard times in 07 with a 7+ ERA this year. He'll be 35 in 2008 so look for the team to cut ties with him. Ditto for 35 year old Brian Moehler and 39 year old Rick White.
On the other hand, Mark McLemore and Dave Borkowski have shown enough to have the upper hand going in to next year. That leaves 3 spots up for grabs. Since MLB MGR's love going by the mythical "rules" of managing, the Astros will have to employ a lefty reliever. AAA farmhand Stephen Randolph has earned that shot. He's had a taste of the majors and at 33 desperately wants to get back. Unfortunately, he's black. So, on second thought, he'll be traded by then. But we'll keep him in line for 08 as of now.
With 6 spots taken, there are 2 left. Look for 24 year old Paul Estrada, the closer at AAA, to compete with Fernando Nieve, Jose Rodriguez and any non roster Free Agents the Astros sign this winter.
This year has a big bearing on the end of the Astros pen. Personally, I think Brad Lidge will never get over his mental problems closing. The Astros should have left him as a setup type guy since he performs like the Lidge of old in that role. Then they could trade him and get at least something in return.
But that wasn't the case. The Astros are putting him back in the closer's role and I think he'll be there next year as well. Ex-closer Dan Wheeler struggled just as much as Lidge did in the 9th inning. He'll likely return to his setup role next year. Both Lidge and Wheeler are arbitration eligible, meaning the Astros will likely have them back as long as both sides agree to terms.
With the 8th and 9th inning roles set, lets take a look at the middle innings. The 7th inning spot looks to be Chad Qualls again. He's arbitration eligible in the offseason as well. In fact, he's not a Free Agent until 2011. It appears the 7, 8, 9 rotation looks to be the same as it has been the last few years.
With the 7th, 8th and 9th inning roles set, lets take a look at the middle innings. Trevor Miller did excellent last year for the Astros but has fallen on hard times in 07 with a 7+ ERA this year. He'll be 35 in 2008 so look for the team to cut ties with him. Ditto for 35 year old Brian Moehler and 39 year old Rick White.
On the other hand, Mark McLemore and Dave Borkowski have shown enough to have the upper hand going in to next year. That leaves 3 spots up for grabs. Since MLB MGR's love going by the mythical "rules" of managing, the Astros will have to employ a lefty reliever. AAA farmhand Stephen Randolph has earned that shot. He's had a taste of the majors and at 33 desperately wants to get back. Unfortunately, he's black. So, on second thought, he'll be traded by then. But we'll keep him in line for 08 as of now.
With 6 spots taken, there are 2 left. Look for 24 year old Paul Estrada, the closer at AAA, to compete with Fernando Nieve, Jose Rodriguez and any non roster Free Agents the Astros sign this winter.
posted by christopher at 5:43 PM
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