The Astros officially ended ties with outfielder Orlando Merced, right-handers Rick White and Brian Moehler and left-hander Ron Villone on Sunday by choosing not to offer any of the free agents arbitration. They now cannot re-sign with Houston until May 1
I liked what Villone did...too bad, he seemed to finally be getting the control down, and that allowed his talent to shine through. DD
I agree. I thought Villone did a good job for us last season. He finally began to take control of his games. He was doing pretty well.
I'm a little surprised. Villone did a solid job, and he was a lefty who could both start and relieve. On a team lacking starved for starting pitching, that seems an odd move. What happens if they don't get Pettite?
Villone will be missed as an enforcer on the pitching staff. Too bad the Astros missed on their chance to get another veteran pitcher in Chad Fox, but it was encouraging to see them try. from http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/n...nt_id=613331&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb The Marlins avoided arbitration by re-signing right-handed reliever Chad Fox to a one-year deal worth $1.3 million. The Marlins, who initially offered Fox $700,000, were outbid by the Houston Astros by $100,000 before giving Fox a counter offer Sunday afternoon that cinched his return to Miami.
So I guess that means that Jimmy's boy Geoff Blum has been offered arbitration? No way he is worth $1-2 mill/yr to this team. Ensberg has got to be pissed. Another year of platooning for him. Should have kept Villone as insurance and a bullpen lefty. I thought we learned that lesson last year.
The only one on their you could really argue about keeping after last year is Villone and it's not like he's had the most stellar career. Wish we would've kept him, but losing him along with the other three isn't quite sad.
So wait a sec here...keeping Blum as an insurance/utility guy at $1-2M is a terrible move, but keeping Villone as an insurance/bullpen guy at $1-2M is good? Stros have plenty of options for the rotation, especially given that they're expected to sign another starter: Oswalt FA Miller Redding Hernandez/Robertson/Duckworth/various non-roster invitees; Personally, I'm hoping Carlos comes back healthy & Duckworth can move to the 'pen.
Getting rid of the 3 pitchers they did, does not quite equal "seriously trying to clear house". Villone was spectacular in June and July. No quesiton about it. He faded to a 4.72 ERA in August and 7.03 in September. Moeller pitched 3 games and then got hurt. There is some doubt as to whether he will even be able to pitch next season. White is a journeyman and easily replaceable. Regardless of the Pettitte situation, it is doubtful they would have offered arbitration to any of these guys.
i'm sorry, bobrek..you make too much sense. it's more fun to blast the astros for letting these "valuable" cogs go. damn, i hardly slept last night with the loss of moehler. and white?? holy crap...when I think Houston Astros...i think Rick White!!!
You could argue that after Oswalt, Villone was as good as any other starter for the Stros last season. Oswalt 10-5, 2.97 era, 1.14 whip Redding 10-14, 3.68 era, 1.39 whip Miller 14-13, 4.13 era, 1.31 whip Villone 6-6, 4.13 era, 1.30 whip Robertson 15-9, 5.10 era, 1.52 whip Duckworth was a brutal 4-7, 4.94 era, 1.52 whip last year. Actually an improvement from 2002. At least he's young enough to improve. Like Buck, I'm hoping Hernandez is healthy enough to fill the fifth spot in the rotation, because I have no confidence in Robertson or Duckworth. The whole rotation would look excellent with an ace inserted into it. Oswalt doesn't stay healthy enough to be a #1, but he'd be a great #2. Miller isn't consistant enough to be #2, but with his stuff he could make a really nice #3. Redding's not a bad 4 by any means, and he's got room to improve.
I can understand getting rid of Orlando because he didn't do much of anything last season but I think Villone would be a nice 5th starter.
I don't get it. Villone has pitched very well for Houston both times he's been here and costs almost nothing. Why do they keep getting rid of him?
Let's see: - The Astros pursue or sign high priced free agents, they get criticized - The Astros don't pursue or sign high priced free agents, they get criticized - The Astros keep veterans at the expense of younger players, they get criticized - The Astros don't keep veterans at the expense of younger players, they get criticized - The Astros resign their own free agents, they get criticized - The Astros don't resign their own free agents, they get criticized - The Astros sign their aging players to long term deals, they get criticized - The Astros don't sign their aging players to long term deals, they get criticized - The Astros trade youngsters in order to win now, they get criticized - The Astros don't make any trading deadline deals, they get criticized I think that about sums it up.
I liked Merced, but last year, he really didn't do anything...From a utility perspective, I like Blumm, but I don't think he needs to be platooning with Morgan, because 3rd base is his... I liked Villone too, but hopefully these moves are for better things ahead...
