No one wants an unproven pitcher who has had EVERY chance in the world to succeed, he'll he's had some of the greatest offenses in baseball behind him and he STILL couldn't make it work. I could care less about what we got in exchange for him, I wanted that guy off the team. He never gelled with the others in the club house, and obviously thought he was better then he was. On a side note, a decent catcher is a great thing to have in reserve... especially when Ausmus and Chavez left a lot to be desired last season. If you ask me we stole the guy... we gave up a guy who will most then likely have an ERA in the low sixes.
Good post. The catcher position is the most undervalued position by fans. If you have guy who is a leader, can handle a pitching staff effectively, get the defense in the right position and is willing to give his body and whole play for the team, you have yourself a damn good catcher and someone who makes your team that much better even despite a .200 avg. This is why the 'Stros made such an effort to re-acquire Ausmus a few years ago. The true testemant to a catcher's worth; is not his batting average, RBIs, etc; but that the pitching staff as a whole WANTS and feels very comfortable with him out there as their battery-mate. Outside of Oswalt, I can' think of one pitcher in Ausmus's stay with the 'Stros that wanted someone else behind the plate.
I used to think BP was the bible... but then they projected greatness for Kirk Sarloos (not one... but TWO years in a row), and I was thoroughly dissapointed both times.
I am not really all that found of them myself (especially on the Pitcher Abuse Points stuff). But a little Ausmus-bashing never did no one no harm no how.
This guy defines needing a new house IMHO. He'll do fine for SD. He was unlikely to ever succees in Houston (again IMO). I hope this kid catcher helps us forget TR even quicker.
Ridiculous. Stats have their place, but some groups take them too far, extrapolate too much, and arrive at utterly mindless and ridiculous conclusions. IIRC, there is an even worse one than BP--these guys need to get their face out of their screens, their heads out of their asses, and actually *watch* some baseball.
dude remember that shutout he pitched in '03? he probably gave up like 15 runs the next start but that vaseline or whatever he used to rub on the ball sure made it move, even if most of the time it ended up right back up the middle.
Ausmus is valuable because he calls a good game and can get every pitch. Chavez is something of a detriment, despite his arm, because he tends to call a lazy game and has trouble with more challenging pitches, like sliders. He's no spring chicken, either. I think this is a hell of a deal for the Astros.
Don't forget Brandon Puffer in the group of Astros-Turned-Padres. I wouldn't might having him right about now.
