re: DAT -- Why are the Astros singled out when their plan is clear?

What would you like us to use?

"Temporary Suckage?"

They should waste money and continue to suck.

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I'm all for calling it rebuilding...i don't see the aversion that the astros have placed on using it.

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Que?

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The almost Perfect Game

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Almost or not - the Astros lineup was simply owned last night. Unfortunately, I believe there will be many high-K, low scoring efforts for the Astros this year. The roster is full of high-K but big power guys -- last night will repeat itself. Sure, they may get a hit in the first inning or so, but I suspect there will be many 1 or 2 hit shut-out nights coming the Astros way.

That said, I can see the team also having a bunch of 8 - 2 games in their favor just like opening night. This team will be the definition of feast or famine.

As for Carter, I like his swing. However, I'm not sure he has a good eye for strikes - I hope he improves there. I can see him being another Jason Lane. I'm more excited about Brett Wallace. Sure, he looked inept against Darvish last night - but his swing is much improved over last year. I think the guy will put it together this year.

I think the argument of the Astros playing for the 1:1 pick this year is valid. However, MLB is a business. Crane has every right to manage his business for long-term growth and profit. Right or wrong from an 'unstated rules' point of view, I like how Luhnow is managing the process. I still think Crane is an idiot and should never talk in public. But he made a smart move in hiring Luhnow.

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It seemed like everytime that had a player worth a damn like Hunter Pence or Michael Bourne, they cut them loose and got draft picks. You keep doing that, you will never build a consistent winner.

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This is true -- they did move their better players for prospects. However, keep in mind, the Purpura regime had several years where they simply did not put any new talent in the farm system. Pence was the last young talent they had available -- he is not a guy you can build a team around. He is a guy you add as a finishing touch to complete a contender roster (see SF Giants).

Also keep in mind that this is the first year where the Astros are not over-paying for under-performing "Stars" -- Wandy and Carlos Lee were waaay overpaid for what they brought the team. Now that the payroll is freed up, once the Astros have a nucleus of young talent - they'll add the star-power to get them to be contenders again. Simply put, very few of the players that are every day starters on this team would be everyday starters anywhere else. Until that changes, don't expect a lot of money to be invested in FA.

Don't expect the "rebuilding/temporary suckage" period to be over until 2015 season.

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when their plan is clear?

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What exactly is the plan?

stros do not have prospects nearly as good as yelich and hernandez

The national talking heads were fapping last night, not because Darvish was throwing a perfect game but because they wanted to say I told you so about the Astros.

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Just heard on ESPN "Does the fact that Yu Darvish was facing the Astros take anything away from his near perfect performance last night? We'll talk to ESPN baseball expert Buster Olney." Oh give me a fricking break. Did the poor pathetic pitiful Astros not just beat that very same Rangers team by 6 runs 2 nights ago?

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I kind of agree with you, but when you have to fill up the meaningless hours before games start i can see this being a talking point. And there is a kernel of truth in there. Coming close to no hitting the other 29 teams in baseball would be more difficult.

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This is true -- they did move their better players for prospects. However, keep in mind, the Purpura regime had several years where they simply did not put any new talent in the farm system. Pence was the last young talent they had available -- he is not a guy you can build a team around. He is a guy you add as a finishing touch to complete a contender roster (see SF Giants).

Also keep in mind that this is the first year where the Astros are not over-paying for under-performing "Stars" -- Wandy and Carlos Lee were waaay overpaid for what they brought the team. Now that the payroll is freed up, once the Astros have a nucleus of young talent - they'll add the star-power to get them to be contenders again. Simply put, very few of the players that are every day starters on this team would be everyday starters anywhere else. Until that changes, don't expect a lot of money to be invested in FA.

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Exactly. WTF is so hard about understanding the plan the Astros have? Strip the roster, draft well, actually sign your picks (something they haven't done in the last decade), and spend money when the time is right. Why the hell would I want my team, who I know will not be competitive, to give someone like Edwin Jackson a 4 year deal? With this TV deal, Crane will spend the money when their big prospects come up.