Links for Friday on the 25th anniversary of Roger Clemens' first 20 strikeout game…
- MLB officials say Jim Crane is still on track to buy the Astros from Drayton McLane, according to Richard Justice of the Houston Chronicle. Justice argues that Crane should bring Lance Berkman, Andy Pettitte and former GM Gerry Hunsicker back to Houston if he does take over.
- Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports argues that manager Charlie Manuel needs to be cautious with his rotation, because it’s “by far the Phillies' biggest strength.”
- Former Blue Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi told Tom Verducci of SI.com that he liked Jose Bautista enough to trade for him, but wasn’t expecting historic production from the former utility player. “If you told me he would hit 20 home runs, I would have believed it because you could see the power,” Ricciardi said. “But no way could you see 50.”
- D'Backs GM Kevin Towers was on hand to watch high schooler Bubba Starling play yesterday, according to ESPN.com's Keith Law (on Twitter). A two sport athlete, Starling is arguably the top high school position player in the 2011 draft.
J.P. Ricciardi just gave one reason to why he is no longer the GM.
um why? because he couldnt see bautista hitting 50 home runs? ya what a fool
lol yes because lots of other people projected bautista to hit 50
oh really like who o.O
is o.O some kind of sarcasm marker? i prefer (!), myself. or did you not get the sarcasm in lb45’s post?
Well of course you got the sarcasm, you are a super-intelligent monkey. Not everyone is as well blessed with such a special hat.
Epic retort. I want a damn special hat too, thank you very much.
Bring Pettitte back? To do what?
For once, Richard Justice is right about something
There’s not one thing that Richard Justice have ever been right about, which makes me question the validity of this article.
Good luck getting Berkman back from the Cardinals.
And Pettitte back from retirement.
Why do they need luck to Get Berkman on the team next year? He’s one a one year deal with STL, and is a FA at the end of the season. Sounds like everyone can bid on his services to me.
I don’t think Berkman would go back to the Astros
I don’t think there’s any doubt that he would. He’s a local boy, loves Houston, the fans still love him (how many times does a division rival get a standing ovation?), he’s owned Minute Maid Park, and he understands the business. Putting him back in LF next season, or even back at 1B if Wallace doesn’t turn things around, seems like a good fit to me.
Then again, the real question is whether the Astros would pay him…
If Wallace doesn’t turn things around?
He’s batting .373! He’s batting .765 over his last 5 games!
If Wallace doesn’t turn things around?
He’s batting .373 and he’s 13 for his last 17!
emphasis on 17
But small sample sizes are the best way to determine how good a player is…I mean look at the prominent and HOF worthy career of Aaron Small
It is a small sample size, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Wallace finished the season with a .300+ average. Unfortunately, I also wouldn’t be surprised if he hit fewer than 10 HR this year. He has just 1 after 84 AB(including his first AB tonight in which he singled).
Exactly, and first base isn’t exactly a position where a high average with no power is coveted, especially in a division that has Joey Votto, Albert Pujols (for now), and Prince Fielder (for now).
Rosenthal with some really insightful analysis there.
His next article: “Evan Longoria’s return to the Rays will improve the team,” followed up by “The Twins aren’t playing up to expectations” and “In case you haven’t noticed, it’s been a long time since the Cubs won it all.”
Bubba is a beast, from one of the smallest towns i have ever been in . The dude is a god there. Bing Bong
If Pettitte chose retirement rather than pitch for the yankees, then there’s no chance he comes out for the Astros. Not being a homer questioning how someone can choose a team other than the yankees, but I think he’d want to be in a position where he’d get another ring and the Yankees have a better shot to do so than the Astros at this point.
Not unless Roger comes out of retirement with him. Say, maybe if we called up Koby…
oh so you’re now allowed to pitch from prison according to the CBA? haha