Jimy is a misspell

Hi, Jimy. Are they spiking the Kool-Aid at MMP or something? I grant that I have only skimmed this thread, but your toolish behavior in it is not what I remember to be your M.O. I agree. I always thought he was fairly respectful and a decent poster. [Jessup]I'm a fair guy, but this heat is making me absolutely crazy ...[/Jessup] :)

I'll bump this thread by June 1st, after he makes his first start this year.

Well yeah, Clemens has been a total hermit all through the baseball season. He's been all over the place here in Houston. That's what most people don't understand. He's just opened a new sports bar here, he's part owner of another place that's about to open, he's all over the local car dealer's advertisements, he's spotted around town all the time, the guy's a God here and he has a very big vested interest in keeping the citizens of Houston in his corner and patronizing his establishments. Couple that with the fact that his family lives here and the 'stros have started out well w/o him, and I just don't see him going anywhere else. I DO think he'll use the other clubs to bid up the asking price and get McClane to open up the pocket book for him.

Yup, you beat me to it.

Clemens was at the game last night. Article in the paper today says McClane will call him and his agent May 1st. It's going to happen.

He'd never come to Chi-town anyway.

:D Well said. Fair enough!

I've been around here longer than you. Of your opponents, only CIN is better than 7th in the NL in runs scored. Chicken or the egg? Ausmus was the best hitter on the team after the break last year. Everett there for his glove, obviously, but his bat was unusually bad last year. I don’t think Everett hits this was all season, but Ausmus could outperform his norm, esp. if takes off where last season ended. So far he has. And I don’t think the ‘Stros will end up 3rd in the NL in runs. I was simply pointing out that this team has more than Berkman and Ensberg hitting. Either way, this is a much better offensive team to this point than what it was last year. First isn't a given, second almost certainly is. Cards have a more balanced rotation ,esp in the back end. But they, and nobody else in the majors can match a 1-2-3 of Oswalt, Clemens and Pettitte. Not to mention the fact that Rodriguez and Buckholtz have looked good so far. As is the same with some of the Cubs young arms, who knows what they’ll do over the course of a season? But if Clemens comes back, only a fool would argue that the Cubs or Cards can match that rotaion. I could tell you Maddux will start pitching like last year soon. Who’s right? Neither of us really know, pretty stupid statement to make. Against weaker hitting teams Stop. Rewind. Play. Who knows what those guys will do or how long they will be able to do it. You can’t assume they will give you ANYTHING at this point. How long has that happened, for like 3 consecutive months? Stop. Rewind. Play. Also, who is this coming from, the people inside the Cubs organization? They have always been so honest and forthcoming regarding Woods and Prior’s injury status. In your little world.

Houston in 3rd in the NL in runs and 3rd in the NL in BA. The Cubs are 11th in the NL in runs. Now they don't have Lee.

Interesting points, but you haven't been paying attention if you think Berkman and Ensberg are the only ones hitting. Houston in 3rd in the NL in runs and 3rd in the NL is BA. The Cubs are 11th in the NL in runs. Now they don't have Lee.

Maybe :) Based on what, three starts? :D Based on what, three starts? :lol: OK, you lost ALL credibility there. :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

when Roger Clemens comes back to the Astros at the first of June? What team in the NL will be able to compete with them at that point? The Cards are the only one I can think of, and I still think they'll be the underdog.

May be not. But your team has survived without some of its best players for extended periods. There is no reason we cannot do the same. I have said it several times since Wed.: The way they won that game in L.A. (coming back after Lee got hurt) is a very good sign. That's b/c the Astros have usually had very good, proven and healthy arms. A luxury the Cubs do not have.

LOL, Brewers fans. I didn't even know there was such a thing. How many times have the Astros been to the playoffs in the last decade. You boys need some skins on the wall before you address a real baseball team. :lol:

I got one of those at the game, can't believe someone is paying you for that piece of crap.

I'm sure losing you best hitter and defensive player for three months will only cost you a couple of wins. :shock:

1. Backe – Good big game pitcher, hasn’t been able to sustain it over the course of the season thus far. Very popular here in Houston, but is a stretch as a #3 starter IMHO. More like a solid #4, but still young so maybe he will continue to improve. Wandy Rodriquez is likely your #4. Probably expect somewhere around 13 wins +/-3, with an ERA in the 4s. Not dominating stuff, needs to avoid the big inning. I guess, in today’s era, is a decent back end rotation guy. #5 will either go to Astocacio, Hernandez, or Buckholz. Astacio you guys saw last year. Hernandez is the kid who came on like gangbusters about 3 or 4 years ago, then blew up his shoulder sliding headfirst into second base. He’s been working ever since to get his arm back, apparently had to completely change his approach on the bump. He has gotten some of his velocity back, but will be hurt by his time away for the WBC Venezuela club. Buckholz has the most raw talent of the group, but he’s coming off an injury and has looked tentative this spring. Might be a little green. Overall, I give the #3 starter a solid “C+”, #4 a “C-/D+“, and #5 an incomplete. 2. Good question. Seems to be but who really knows. 3. He is so much better at this point, from a pain standpoint, than he was at any time last season. He has arthroscopic to remove some additional BS, and apparently is has really helped. He should return to his pre 2005 form, around .300/30/100. Pick this guy up in your fantasy drafts, he will likely drop below market value and could be a steal. 4. You get exactly what you had last year. Decent pop, streaks of greatness, likely will tire out for long stretches. Still an effective player. Expect to see Burke more, whether at 2B, SS or LF. 5. Remember that last year was his first real healthy year. 6. Ausmus was the best hitter on the team last year after the break. Probably will end up around .240. Everett, well, he can’t be any worse than last year. I’m off the mind set that his glove more than makes up for his bat, but a lot of people disagree. Either way, expect to see Burke some at short. ‘Stros have as good of a 1, 2 as any rotation in baseball, to go along with their great pen. And who knows, Clemens may just be back come early summer. If the ‘stros are in the hunt, I would almost count on it.

Edited to remove an entire article, which we do not allow at NSBB.

I think the Cubs finish 4th in the central, which might actually be good for you b/c Baker will finally be gone.

That could be problematic. ;)

Did you say that about Nolan Ryan too?

Yeah, Houston is such a classless, poorly run organization. :roll:

haha i know i couldn't. But honestly i'm torn about whether I'd want Clemens on the Cubs. Oh I know he could really help the team. I've never admired him though. Perhaps it's unjustified, but he's always been one of my least favorite players. I view him kind of like I view Barry. Am I foolish for seeing it that way? You're comparing Clemens to Bonds? :roll: I wouldn't call you foolish, just biased. Maybe a little bitter, too.

Even though this benefits the 'stros, I feel bad for Prior. He had a great future in front of him until Dusty pitched his arm off. Ruin a Promising Pitcher's Career for Dummies - by Dusty Baker