From: eebonar@sn01.sncc.lsu.edu (Dave Bonar)
Subject: Re: Houston Protected List
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Date: Tue, 17 Nov 1992 19:27:36 GMT
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In article <17NOV199212034310@rosie.uh.edu>, st1rp@rosie.uh.edu (Schwam, David S.) writes...
>In article <1992Nov16.134444.12663@cs.tulane.edu>, eebonar@sn01.sncc.lsu.edu writes...

[my comments on Doug Jones deleted.  Basically he's 36 and not particularly
proven]

>    Well, you have to consider where Houston stands as a team now.  I believe
>that they have ended their rebuilding stage and are seriously looking to 
>contend next season.  There has been a lot of talk about acquiring Ozzie
>Smith to fill the shortstop gap (he was here last week to meet with the
>Houston people) as well as picking up a couple of quality starters.  
>While losing Juden won't be the greatest thing, I think Houston considered
>the need to retain a quality reliever in order to contend next season to
>be more important.

	This is one of the places where we differ.  Before this year I thought
Houston would have a chance to contend in 93.  However I feel that 94 is the
year now.  There are too many offensive holes in the team.  If they can sign
Ozzie Smith and one of the better pitchers they might be able to contend.
Right now they have offensive holes at catcher and shortstop; roughly 
average production (which is an overstatement in some cases) from 3b, lf, and
rf; and only 3 solid starters.
	Plus, the Astro's had a great record in 1 run games.  Some of this
is due to the success of the bullpen but some of it is chance. 

>>	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.
> 
>     Osuna just doesn't have the consistancy that is needed for a closer.
>He just isn't able to get the job done.  He's fine for middle relief, but
>I would rather see Jones close.  Hernandez has been with Houston for
>awhile (mostly in the minors).  He makes a fine setup man, and an occasional
>closer, but once again consistancy is the problem.  I think he needs to
>have another season like last year in order to really prove himself.  Like
>I said earlier, I think the chance for contending has made it necessary
>to protect Jones instead of passing the torch to a younger player.  Plus
>the people here in Houston really like him.

	I think I'm giving you the wrong impression.  I want the Astros to 
hold onto Doug Jones.  However, I feel that he isn't an attractive pick for
an expansion team.  Thus I feel that Houston is risking some of their more
valuable minor league talent by protecting Jones when they don't have to.
With the way the Rockies are drafting you might be more correct (Charlie 
Hayes and Jerald Clark?)

>    AND WHAT'S WRONG WITH ERIC ANTHONY?  He finally did something last year
>and I hope that he continues belting them out.

	I thought that would draw some attention. :)

	Anthony is a good looking prospect.  But even after his '92 season
he really hasn't shown much at the major league level.  He hit well but not
great in the minors.  Additionaly, he has only been so-so at drawing walks.
Sure he has great power.  But that is about all he has.  I expect that he
can put up .250/.310/.440 numbers if he has a pretty decent year.  That doesn't
cut it as the right fielder of a contending team (unless everything else is
rock solid).  To me he looks a lot like a left handed version of Pete Incaviglia.

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