Astros don't lose!
Cecil Cooper is not a happy man. He was more frustrated after the Astros 2-2 tie with the Nationals Friday night than I've seen all spring.
"We can't go one stinking game without making an error," he said. "And they're easy errors. That's what I don't understand."
Asked if he was happy with some of the individual performances, Cooper said, "I wasn't happy, totally not happy. We're hitting .220 as a team in Spring Training. No one hits .220 in Spring Training. Come on. Two hundred. Are you kidding me?"
Thank goodness for Jason Smith, I guess. He's hitting .500 on the spring. But then again, he did make two errors in the game against the Nationals.
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Mike Hampton, on his scoreless outing Friday night: "Before I went out there [to start the game], I said, [to the coaches], "What do you want?" They said, "four innings, around 65 pitches."
Hampton threw four innings, and 65 pitches.
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Cooper mentioned today that he went golfing on the off day Thursday -- the first time had golfed in about five years. So we asked him why did he go now, after being away from it so long? His answer: "I had to hit something."
And he's going golfing again on the next offday on Monday.
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Losing isn't fun, even during Spring Training. That's probably why you may see more veteran players making more road trips.
According to Coop, everyone will go to the game Sunday at Disney. By everyone, you have to assume he's talking about Lance Berkman, Carlos Lee, Miguel Tejada and Co.
Speaking of Tejada, I sort of thought he'd be back in camp today now that his Dominican Republic team was bounced from the World Baseball Classic. He was apparently a no-show Friday but guaranteed Coop he'd back back Saturday, ready to play.
"He's going to play [Saturday], that's all I know," Cooper said. "I don't have any issues with that."
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I was happy to see that Pudge Rodriguez is no longer mentioning the Astros as the teams who are supposedly interested in him. The latest news I read listed only the Mets and Marlins. That is good, because after checking with Ed Wade yet again today, I can assure you the Astros are not pursuing him. And judging from the irritated look on his face, I can also assure you I won't be asking him about Pudge again anytime soon. At least not for two weeks. Or maybe 10 days. At the very least, I'll wait a week.
Oh, and he's not bidding on Pedro Martinez, either.
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Picture time:
This is a peek into the exciting world of PFP [Pitchers fielding practice]. As you can see, part of the exercise involves occupying your time while waiting for your turn.
Here we have Round Rock pitching coach Burt Hooton, rounding up the troops to begin the PFP session. I believe his exact words were "Who wants to do a little PFP?" And if I remember correctly, the response was a mixture of groans and gaping silence.
Here's Chris Sampson, in his final tuneup before appearing in a live game for the first time this spring.
And here's your daily dose of the Puma, compliments of radio announcer Dave Raymond:
Yippeee, the Astros didn't lose. Yeah lets all get worried about the Astros once they lose some real games.
For someone who doesn't like the camera, Puma sure likes to ham it up. Any chances of seeing the sumo suit again?
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Since Nieve was placed on wavers, and claimed, does that mean that the Mets have to work out a trade with us, or did we basically just give him away?
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Hey Alyson,
I would love to know the teams thinking in not trying to sign Pudge. I don't think he is a savior but he is cheap and it is clear this team is going to have SERIOUS issues on offense.
A light hitting CF, a so-so 2B, no offense at 3B, next to nothing at C, and the P spot.That is over half your offense.
Add in a suspect at best pitching staff.
WHERE IS THE GLIMMER OF HOPE??
Many would argue that signing Pudge would bring in more revenue than takeout if the team is winning.
I just want and answers as to the reason we have ZERO interest if they have not given up on this season already.
"Q" and Towles are a problem not a solution.
Thanks for your work and blog.
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Hey Alyson,
What are the chances that Cecil Cooper's head explodes before the start of the season? He strikes me as the kind of manager that puts alot of pressure and stress on the players without offering anything constructive. Am I wrong?
Mike
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Also what kind of spring would Chris Johnson have to put together to make the club as the starting 3B? It seems like this would be a perfect season to see how he handles the Majors.
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jafarmer: The Astros don't get anything in return for Nieve, which is pretty appropriate. No big loss there.
philgoner: I don't know what else to say about this Pudge thing; the reality is the Astros payroll is at $107 million and that's where it's likely to stay. I don't think it's unreasonable to think Pudge could help the team, and like I've said all spring, I've never been convinced the Astros are entirely comfortable with Quintero as their No. 1. That said, and I know I am repeating myself, the Astros are not dumb enough to start making bids to Scott Boras. The last time the two sides talked -- about two months ago -- Boras asked for $3.5 million plus incentives. The conversation pretty much ended there.
We can go on and on and on about this and I understand why everyone keeps asking about him. But there's nothing more I can say about it. If Pudge wanted to play here for $500,000, I'm sure the Astros would jump on it. But a Boras client accepting a half-million has about as much of a chance of happening as me waking up in central Florida tomorrow morning and saying, "Man, I really love it here."
mike re: Coop is feeling the stress, no doubt about it. But we also had some laughs in his office yesterday morning during his daily media session. He'll be OK.
I don't see Chris Johnson making the team out of Spring Training but if he blows through April at Triple-A, don't rule out a mid-season appearance.
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Hey Alyson,
Thanks for your response. I think the biggest question every Astros fan asks is WHERE DOES THIS TEAM STAND? They make a move at the deadline(Wolf) when just about everyone gave up on them and then ask why are they buyers. The demand for Pudge as a fan is so high because catching and 3b are such a glaring weakness with Pudge as not only best available but would possibly be third best hitter on the team.
It is frustrating as a fan to know there is such a HUGE upgrade out there for a low price with no long term commitment. They did nothing to improve this off season and I hate to see them playing out the season with some of the talent they have come June.
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Hey Alyson it looks like your badgering of Ed Wade has pressured him into getting Drayton to sign Pudge.
Nice Work.
Can you start badgering about Pedro now?
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Alyson;
So how sure are you the Astros will not sign Pedro? :-)
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Better chance of me playing 3B than them signing Pedro.
I am content with the signing of Pudge.
They showed me enough to say we are willing to try this thing.
I only have opening day tix but will look for games 2 and 3 now.
If you see Drayton, tell him he has won over some fans with this move. Hope it translates into wins and better gate.
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