Thursday, July 06, 2006
Howdy/Willis
Howdy Folks!!!!!
Not sure there are many of you folks out there, but this is the Bvich Report, one of those neat blog thingies where I will comment on the sports world, although it may be very Longhorns and Astros centered, as my first post will be. I hope y'all enjoy!! Now it is time for business.
My first post ever will be about this:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/scorecard/07/05/truth.rumors.mlb/index.html
At first, I thought this was just Austin American-Statesman columnist Kirk Bohls just spouting rumors out of his butt, because it was the only mention I had heard of the Astros being interested in Willis. But something about this rumor showing up on CNN/SI makes one think that it would indeed be credible.
The deal seems far fetched, however.
It would be a great deal for the Astros. Imagine this for a starting rotation: Roy Oswalt, Dontrelle Willis, Roger Clemens, Andy Pettitte (who would have ever thought of Pettitte as a fourth starter) and Brandon Backe (assuming he returns soon after the All-Star break as has been speculated.) That would be an amazing rotation.
The Astros should probably look to improve the bullpen before the starting rotation, but this would help the bullpen in two ways. First of all, this pushes Fernando Nieve and Taylor Buchholz from the rotation and the bullpen, which would improve the pen. Also, adding Willis to the rotation would eat more innings and hopefully not force the Astros to use the bullpen as much. Willis is currently averaging more innings per start (6.83) than all but one Houston pitcher, Roy Oswalt.
At the same time, however, it seems like the Marlins would be asking for more than the players they have asked. Wandy Rodriguez will be a fine Major League pitcher, but he does not appear to have the stuff to one day be dominating, and Charlton Jimerson, while a decent hitter, has struck out 124 times in 320 ABs this season, and may never sniff the Major Leagues because of his tendency to swing at just about every pitch.
Of course, the reasons that this is far fetched are the reasons that Astros GM Tim Purpura should have made this deal yesterday if it is sitting on the table. The Astros would not be giving up great players, and Willis would improve the team as stated above.
More than likely, however, the Marlins would probably want the Astros to put one or both of AA outfielder Hunter Pence or AAA starting pitcher Jason Hirsh.
Not sure there are many of you folks out there, but this is the Bvich Report, one of those neat blog thingies where I will comment on the sports world, although it may be very Longhorns and Astros centered, as my first post will be. I hope y'all enjoy!! Now it is time for business.
My first post ever will be about this:
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/scorecard/07/05/truth.rumors.mlb/index.html
At first, I thought this was just Austin American-Statesman columnist Kirk Bohls just spouting rumors out of his butt, because it was the only mention I had heard of the Astros being interested in Willis. But something about this rumor showing up on CNN/SI makes one think that it would indeed be credible.
The deal seems far fetched, however.
It would be a great deal for the Astros. Imagine this for a starting rotation: Roy Oswalt, Dontrelle Willis, Roger Clemens, Andy Pettitte (who would have ever thought of Pettitte as a fourth starter) and Brandon Backe (assuming he returns soon after the All-Star break as has been speculated.) That would be an amazing rotation.
The Astros should probably look to improve the bullpen before the starting rotation, but this would help the bullpen in two ways. First of all, this pushes Fernando Nieve and Taylor Buchholz from the rotation and the bullpen, which would improve the pen. Also, adding Willis to the rotation would eat more innings and hopefully not force the Astros to use the bullpen as much. Willis is currently averaging more innings per start (6.83) than all but one Houston pitcher, Roy Oswalt.
At the same time, however, it seems like the Marlins would be asking for more than the players they have asked. Wandy Rodriguez will be a fine Major League pitcher, but he does not appear to have the stuff to one day be dominating, and Charlton Jimerson, while a decent hitter, has struck out 124 times in 320 ABs this season, and may never sniff the Major Leagues because of his tendency to swing at just about every pitch.
Of course, the reasons that this is far fetched are the reasons that Astros GM Tim Purpura should have made this deal yesterday if it is sitting on the table. The Astros would not be giving up great players, and Willis would improve the team as stated above.
More than likely, however, the Marlins would probably want the Astros to put one or both of AA outfielder Hunter Pence or AAA starting pitcher Jason Hirsh.
# posted by Bevo @ 2:53 PM 
