They lost Petit, Clemons, and Terveras and added Jason Jennings and Carlos Lee. Will they be a better team? Where do you think they will finish?
2007-02-13 01:24:49 · 15 answers · asked by Willie 4 in Sports ➔ Baseball
Worse. And locking up Lee for that many years was a bad move. I think they'll have a tough time competing in their division this year, and there's a chance that Jennings performance last year could be a little flukish and adjust itself. See: Clement's last season for the Cubs vs Clement's first season for the Red Sox. It's also just plain hard to pitch around 3.00 ERA for multiple seasons in a row, no matter who you are. Expecting a high 3/low 4 ERA is about the best you can do, given his track record.
That's not going to replace Pettitte (though at least they'll get a full season, instead of half a season injured) and it's certainly not going to fill the spot Clemens left. Also, you forgot that they gave up Buckoholtz or whatever his name is. He wasn't great, but he could eat up some starts, which might be needed at the bottom of the rotation.
2007-02-13 08:35:52 · answer #1 · answered by loki_of_valhala 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can't see how the Astros could be any better than last year. What has made you competitive in the past few years has been your pitching and even though losing Pettite is no big deal, it's a very big deal losing Clemens. I don't see any 2 other pitchers on your staff making up for the 12-15 wins Clemens gives you in half a year every year he's been there. If your team would have stayed basically the same as last year and you acquired Lee and Jennings then I definitely would have said you were better. But as of now no way. The Astros have no reason that they shouldn't be better. What keeps them from winning is their ownership. They always keep mediocre players too long and let superstar players go. Especially if they are from another nationality other than white. Don't believe me just look it up.
2007-02-13 03:45:06 · answer #2 · answered by Dah veed 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I honestly think they will be about they same they were last year. sure they lost petite and Clemens, but they got Jason Jennings who was an ok pitcher on the Rockies and that is the hardest park to be a pitcher at. Also they got Carlos Lee who is good for 35 homers 100 RBIs Taveras was just a fast guy he really didn't help the team much
2007-02-13 02:24:45 · answer #3 · answered by naturaldisaster 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The Astros always manage to be competitive. A rather easy fete in the NL Central; where the only team that's not been very competitive over the last many years has been the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The Astros have a good manager who knows how to get the most out of his players.
A number of people are picking the Astros to win the Central or the Wild Card in 2007. We'll have to see what happens.
2007-02-13 01:39:44 · answer #4 · answered by rick4404 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The Stro's have lost 2 quality pitchers and other personnel so I believe they will be hurt by that,they have had trouble scoring runs in the past couple of years and I don't see anything different this year.But they have always seemed to be in the race every year for the Central crown,And I believe it going to be a real donny-brook in the NL Central this year
Lets get it on and see who can win the most out of 162 ball-games.Of coarse I will be picking the Cardinals to repeat as Central Winners,with the Astros,Cubs,Brewers,Reds,and even the Pirates having a say as to who wins the Division
2007-02-13 03:26:33 · answer #5 · answered by Ricky Lee 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They will be a worse team than last year. True, they signed a big bat in Lee to give Berkman a little more protection, but they lost a ton of pitching. They did not make up by signing anyone to fill the holes of Pettitte or Clemens. Bad Move!
2007-02-13 01:46:52 · answer #6 · answered by lighthouse_38 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Adding Jennings is a big plus for them, and look out for Roy Oswalt. He may finally get his due as one of the NL's top pitchers now that Pettitte is gone & Clemens is once again in limbo (looking for full time money while pitching only part time).
The key to Houston's success or failure may very well lie with Brad Lidge.
I'd say that they are a little better, plus they have a very good manager.
2007-02-13 01:34:54 · answer #7 · answered by Al 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Losing Pettitte is the only reason to even think they'll be worse. Taveras wasn't really a fit for that ballpark, especially since they're replacing him with Lee. As for Clemens, he won't pitch until June, regardless of where he goes, so the first two months won't be affected either way, and if Houston gets off to a fast start, they won't need him. If they struggle, he won't be able to help anyway. Unlike most baseball teams, Houston's fortunes depend on their hitting.
2007-02-13 06:23:23 · answer #8 · answered by Judge Ghis 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe the Astros are going to finish 4th in the division this year. Losing Clemens and Pettitte are going to hurt. Being a Brewer fan and seeing him live in person, Carlos Lee is not worth $100 million. They are going to score runs, I just don't see any pitching...
2007-02-13 01:47:38 · answer #9 · answered by Mr. Hole In One 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
They are much worse off - losing Petitte and likely Clemens will definitely hurt. No way Jennings will be able to step into that void. I have Houston (even though they play in a very winnable division) dropping to fourth or fifth place this year with St. Louis, Milwaukee, Chicago and maybe Cincinnati all finishing ahead of them.
If Clemens returns I see them finishing no higher than second.
2007-02-13 01:33:20 · answer #10 · answered by John T 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋