From: eebonar@sn01.sncc.lsu.edu (Dave Bonar)
Subject: Re: Houston Protected List
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Reply-To: eebonar@sn01.sncc.lsu.edu
Organization: News and Views from LSU
Date: Mon, 16 Nov 1992 13:29:26 GMT
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In article <16NOV199200420483@rosie.uh.edu>, st1rp@rosie.uh.edu (Schwam, David S.) writes...
>In article <1992Nov13.143333.21811@cs.tulane.edu>, eebonar@sn01.sncc.lsu.edu writes...
>> 
>>	I did the mock expansion draft Astro's list so I figured I should
>>comment on this one (the 'official' list).  One note; it seems that the
>>Tribune and the RM News disagreed on one person.  Since I don't know of a 
>>Todd Jones I assume that Jimmy Jones is correct.

	We have all since learned about the real Todd Jones.  I'm not really
impressed by him but I suppose that its better to protect a 25 year old who
might get some control then to protect Jimmy Jones.

>>	Sorry to shout at everyone.  But this is idiotic.  Doug Jones is a
>>36 (during next season) year old pitcher who looked horrible in '91.  Yes,
>>he had a very good year in '92 but how could you think that he would be
>>someone that the expansion teams would want.
> 
>     I think the people of Houston would disagree with your assessment
>of Doug Jones.  In '91 Houston had a terrible season because it lacked
>a closer (among other things).  The addition of D. Jones to the bullpen
>changed the team around.  Not only did he post an ERA under 2, but if
>you combine his wins with the number of saves he accumulated, you will see
>that he had some part in an overwhelming majority of the Astro victories.

	I'm not saying he is bad.  At the begining of the season I thought
that Houston had made a great move in signing Jones to a AAA contract.  There
was basically no downside (if he stunk like '91 they could get out of it
for peanuts) and a great potential upside (as he showed).  He's proven to
be a valuable pitcher for the Astro's; easily their best last year.
	However, he's 36, and only one year away from a horrible year.  I can't
see an expansion team taking him.  Thus, I'd go for the (in my opinion minor)
risk of not protecting him and use the slot to protect Jeff Juden.  Juden
didn't look as good this year but he is still a good young pitcher.  If I
was running an expansion club I'd much prefer to draft Juden then Doug Jones.

>    While he may be the 'old man' of the Houston pitching staff, he
>remained healthy through most of the season and pitched an incredible
>number of innings.  Art Howe (manager) knew that he could rely on D. Jones
>day in and day out.  Without Jones, Houston has no effective closer.

	How do we know if Houston has an effective closer?  In '91 Osuna
and Hernandez both looked good.  Hernandez looked great again this year. Why
can't he close?  Osuna didn't look so hot but I haven't given up on him.  Boever
has closed before (and looked very good).  If Doug Jones is such a commodity
that Houston has to protect him in the draft then they should be able to
swing a decent deal and get a real rightfielder for him.

Dave
__________
Dave Bonar
eebonar@lsuvax.sncc.lsu.edu
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