http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/3107554 KISSIMMEE, Fla.-- The Astros trimmed eight players from their spring training roster today, re-assigning pitchers Dave Burba, Travis Driskill and Phil Norton, catchers Chris Tremie and Dax Norris, infielders Mike Coolbaugh and Carlos Rivera and outfielder Trenidad Hubbard to Class AAA Round Rock. The only real surprise was Burba, who was a candidate for the fifth spot in the pitching rotation. The righthander hadn't pitched particularly well this spring, going 1-1 with a 9.26 ERA in four appearances, including two starts. He tossed 4 1/3 innings of scoreless ball in a minor-league game Monday. Burba, a 15-year veteran, wasn't sure if he was going to report to minor-league camp and was hopeful to latch on with another major-league club. "They said they didn't see me making the team and they sent me down and told me I had the option to check in with other teams," he said. "I don't know what I'm going to do if I don't get a major-league assignment. I'll have to talk it over with my wife and do some hard thinking whether it's an avenue I want to take or go home. I still want to play, so the question is if I don't get a major-league job do I want to play Triple-A baseball?" Brandon Duckworth, who started today's game against the Cleveland Indians, and rookie Ezequiel Astacio are the front-runners for the final spot in the rotation. Duckworth has likely secured a spot on the roster to start the season. The Astros have 29 players remaining in camp and must pare the roster to 25 by Sunday.
Doesn't shock me about Burba...he sucked before we got him, sucked when we got him and sucks now. Hopefully Zeke can shw something to lock up that 5th spot. I'd hate to think about Duck going out there this year.
We have Franco so no need of gallo, he sucks and he can't even get lefties out. Qualls is also nasty against lefties.
I disagree that Gallo sucks. His problem is consistency--he had some outings that were brilliant, some that were average, and he laid a few turds. The problem is, folks remember only the turds and then say that he sucks. Unlike your average lefty specialist, he doesn't have any more luck against lefties than against righties, but he is a serviceable middle innings guy nonetheless--as long as he gets more consistent.
We have 13 pitchers in camp right now, so only 1-2 cuts left there. I think Gallo goes, or at least I hope he does. Neither Franco nor Gallo has exactly endeared himself this spring- Gallo's sporting an 11.37 ERA in 6.1 innings compared to Franco's 9.53 in 5.2 innings. Franco only gave up 4 hits, but 7 walks. Gallo gave up just 2 walks, but 12 hits. Then again, all of the relievers, save Lidge and Qualls (and Zeke or Duckworth if they're in the pen) are sporting 5+ ERAs. It'll be curious if Springer makes it as a non roster invite We have: Clemens Roy Pettitte Backe Zeke/Duckworth with: Lidge, Qualls, Wheeler, Harville, Gallo/Franco, Duckworth/Zeke, and Springer. With the possibility of going to a 4 man rotation early, we could see Zeke sent down to start the year and getting in a AAA start before making regular starts as the #5. The position players is a little trickier. If we carry 12 pitchers, we have to make 3 cuts. Bagwell, Biggio, Everett, Ensberg, Lamb, Vizcaino, Palmeiro, Ausmus, and Lane are locks for the roster. (Berkman starts they year on IR). That leaves 4 slots for Scott, Burke, Bruntlett, Chavez, Quintero, and Taveras. If Biggio is at 2B, we need to carry at least 2 more OFs between Scott, Burke, and Taveras until Berkman comes back. That leaves 2 slots for Chavez, Quintero, and Bruntlett, plus whichever OF doesn't make the top 4. Either Chavez or Quintero has to make the team as Ausmus' backup. I think Burke's upside is greater than Bruntlett's, and he's a better 2B than Bruntlett. With Everett healthy, and Viz the utility guy, I don't see a need for Bruntlett. My cuts from here on out would be Bruntlett, Quintero, and Gallo, with Berkman going to the IR. Scott, Burke, and Taveras will be playing for their jobs until Berkman returns, with the loser getting sent down. If all are playing well, a guy like Springer would be on the chopping block for me.
In reality, only 1 more roster move is to be made. There are currently 29 on the active roster. Berkman will surely go on the 15 day DL, Humberto Quintera will be moved back to AAA, and even if Astacio wins the #5 role, he'll still go to AAA until April 17th to get some work in. That brings it down to 26. I'd say it's between Gallo and one of Burke (most likely), Taveras, and Scott for the last spot. I am assuming that Eric Bruntlett makes the roster as the 2nd utility infielder. I think the OD 25 will be... Outfield Lane Palmeiro Scott Taveras Infield Bagwell Biggio Everett Ensberg Lamb Bruntlett Catcher Ausmus Chavez Starting Pitchers Oswalt Pettitte Clemens Backe Duckworth Relief Lidge Franco Qualls Wheeler Gallo Harville Springer Depending on production, either Scott, Gallo or Bruntlett will go back to AAA once Berkman is healthy.
I think you have to keep Chavez for now since you don't really know what to expect from Quintero....as for Bruntlett, i think he should be sent down so Burke can stay up
It's a backup catcher spot, what's the worst that can happen? Unless they want to give Quintero more development time. I mean, it's not like we're putting an unproven commodity at a crucial position (starting LF, CF, SP) or anything.
i hear what you are saying...but oyu can make the same "whats the worst that can happen" argument the other way too...i just think its more that its Chavez's job until Quintero shows he is clearly better
Quintero just got there today. I don't think he's exactly ready for their staff just yet. If he does well, he'll be brought up. To do what? Be a utility infielder? That doesn't help his development any. Bruntlett can play all 4 infield positions and can hit a little. His career is going to be a utility player. Burke's career is at 2nd and needs to be playing everyday.
That's the thing. Once a guy's proven himself in AAA, he doesn't benefit from being a utility player in the Majors, but neither does he really benefit from more AAA time. A guy like Burke needs to play every day in MLB to progress. Jason Lane's been in that same boat the past few years, at least now he'll get a shot.
IMO, we have 2 choices with Burke.....put him on the bench or trade him. I agree that he will be better served in AAA where he can play every day but my guess is that he is hoping for a nice paycheck twice a month and wont mind taking his lumps on the bench in the bigs. I say, ship him out if we can get good value for him if he isnt going to play every day.
