Well, friends, we’ve come to the end. The end of the major league baseball regular season.
Only a handful of games remain and there is little suspense, at least for the Astros. Well, at least if you’re talking about how this season will end. (Granted, there’s plenty of suspense for the future.)
The Astros have lost 100 games for the third straight year, we know a lot more about Bo Porter than we did six months ago, and I still have seen only a few games on television this season.
So as fans in other cities begin to talk about playoffs, post season awards and other fun stuff, we’re left to talk about what woulda, coulda, shoulda been. And, six or seven months ago, much of that “stuff” I wouldn’t have predicted would be at the center of our conversation today.
For example, back in March and April…
- You couldn’t have convinced me that, heading into the last week, the Astros would be staring the worst-ever season in the organization’s history square in the face. Maybe 100 losses, but even 101 or 102 losses would have been some improvement.
- If you’d suggested that CSN, George Postolos, the Astros’ wives’ gala, Kissimmee, Brian T. Smith and the Chronicle Fan Blog would all be 2013 casulaties, I might have laughed at you. Not so much now.
- I think Jeff Luhnow had more hair. And it was darker than it is now.
- Most of us were genuinely excited about Bo Porter, his enthusiasm, excitement and motivational skills. While I haven’t seen any “Fire Bo Porter” websites pop up yet, the honeymoon is definitely over.
- I was optimistic that the Erik Bedard and Rick Ankiel signings could be low-risk, high reward. I was also convinced Luhnow had made a mistake in signing Jose Veras to be closer.
- I would have laughed you out of the room if you’d suggested that the same player could lead the team in strikeouts, walks, runs scored, home runs and RBI, all while hitting .220. Seriously? Meet Chris Carter.
- All of us scratched our heads — and still are — over the Carlos Pena signing. Obviously a good clubhouse guy, but his release last month is the only thing that kept him from piling up 100 Ks in 2013.
- Though I’m not a betting man, I might have taken a bet the Astros wouldn’t have had the #1 pick in 2014 — for the third straight season. As I recall, Miami, the Cubs and White Sox were all early candidates for worse seasons than Houston.
- Despite the drug suspension, I was thinking that Jonathan Singleton would be in Houston by the All Star break and step into the three hole by season’s end. His name has been lost in a sea of other prospects already in Houston or likely to be in Houston before he is.
- If you recall, I suggested the Astros needed to find 3-4 “everyday” players to join Jose Altuve. Indeed, the Astros have apparently found 3-4 pitchers, but other than Jason Castro, there aren’t any sure things for the “everyday” lineup card.
Hearken back to spring training and the first days of the season. What are you surprised we’re talking about this week that you’d never dreamed would be in the discussion at the end of 2013?
ALL THINGS ASTROS 
15 responses to “Surprise! Our conversation coulda, woulda, shoulda been different”
In Feb I said I thought the Astros would be better defensively. Then they trade Lowrie, put Carter in left, Marwin and Cedeno at short and, later, Paredes in right., Dominguez had a bad 3 months defensively and they were bad at 1B and catcher. I never thought they would be the worst defense in baseball.
I never thought we would have the worst bullpen in baseball history, until 3 guys went out for the year and they kept the same horrible relievers they had in 2012.
I knew they were gonna strike out a lot, but I thought they would hit better. Altuve and Castro are the only two players who hit as well as I thought they would.
I never figured the Astros would be the worst baserunning team in baseball.
But I never, never thought it would be so hard to see the team play or listen to them on the radio. That is a bitter, putrid pill for a fan like me to swallow.
I am ready to talk about next year.
If I were Porter I would get rid of Clark, Mallee and Brocail. I would try to salvage my job.
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The defense is something to be concerned about. We focus on the putrid offense, but Miami and Chicago were clearly worse than Houston in 2013 and you can make arguments for additional teams being ranked below us. The main question this raises, to me, is how you can fill out a lineup with players with so many offensive holes in their games and NOT at least be compensating with average to above average defense.
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My prediction (guess) was the team as constructed would win 1/3 of their games. I vehemently disagreed with Crane/Luhnow for 2013 in the FAs signed (as you mentioned). But have to admire their guts in sticking with their plan. Again this Winter, they “shoulda’ looked for a couple or three 28-32 year old FAs to improve the team. Although a few of the older, poorer players were released, I am surprised that any remain. And everyone (including the Brass) has to be completely surprised that -0- new players added – stepped up and made you want to sign them to multi-year deals. One hope though, is the Astros have to be improved in 2014, because we skipped the waiver wire guys in the latter part of the season. And my final surprise to date, is there has been not an extension for Jason Castro.
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Yes, let me harken. Ankiel, Pena, and Cedeno were unmitigated disasters. They shoulda never signed Pena and gone with what they had in Wallace, Carter, and Frieman. They coulda picked up Mike Carp when they has the chance. Someone look up his stats. I think he is doing okay this year. If they woulda put the Astros on TV I’m sure I’d have much more to gripe about.
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Flash- AMEN!
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Yes the 2013 version of the team has left me using the “F” word. Frustrated.
The George Springer situation is the most frustrating to me. I don’t want to sit here watching Paredes and Crowe playing OF when there is a potential 40/40 guy getting 0 mlb ABs this season. By the way – OLD George turned 24 last Thursday.
A team that could bring up JDM at 23, Paredes at 22, Villar at 22, Altive at 21, and Lyles at 20, could not bring Springer up at 23/24. Maddening.
I was wrong about the end result of this team – thought they would stay (barely) under 100 losses, though my psychic network did not work as far as telling me who and when folks would be traded.
My biggest frustration is watching so many guys that are just fillers – not part of the long term plan getting reps. At least we saw some potential folks over on the starting pitching side and that was a good thing. But so many ABs went to folks who won’t be here long term.
I think Porter is on long term thin ice. He could start throwing coaches under the bus, but it is not just the coaches – this team is diving down the stretch – something that did not happen the last few years. I wouold have more patience if I thought Porter was the long term guy – but I don’t think he is. I suspect he will get all of 2014 to show things – but I just do not see his style as working so far.
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I said that this club might lose 120 games in 2013. They really had no chance from the start; from the questionable rotation, lack of a pen, little offense and a poor defense. It was made worse by strikeouts at a record pace and the worst base running in MLB. My ongoing concern today is that while the rotation looks to be taking shape, and our defense in the outfield has improved, we’ve still got a long ways to go even if Springer comes along and owns center, as I think he will. I can’t really say I’m surprised about anything though, outside of a couple of the foolish PR blunders by the club. The most unfortunate thing is that there have been very few surprises.
No doubt, if the Astros stink up the joint in early 2014, continuing to play sloppy ball, Porter will be in trouble. And he should be. Mental mistakes should not happen at the ML level.
And what do you with Carter? I guess you hope he gets the average up to .240 or so and keep him out of the outfield. We really don’t have anyone to take his place.
Dominguez has 20 homers and 75 RBI’s. Is there another guy in the league with those stats and an OPS under .700?
The club simply has to strike out less. This too is ultimately on Porter. So is the worst base stealing percentage in the league. I don’t think any of the guys should have an automatic green light, including Altuve or Villar. Too often, we’re dumb rather than aggressive.
The clock is ticking on Luhnow, Crane and the whole operation at this point. It’s time to see some improvement on the field. It’s time to get a TV deal done. It’s time that the PR blunders stop. It’s time for some credibility.
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Dan Uggla – .181 / .310 / .368 – 22 HR, 78 RBI (.678 OPS) -1.1 WAR
Matt Wieters – .230 / .283 / .410 – 21 HR, 68 RBI (.693 OPS) 0.2 WAR
JP Arencibia – .196 / .230 / .363 – 20 HR, 53 RBI (.593 OPS) -0.0 WAR
Matt Dominguez – .244 / .288 / .408 – 20 HR, 75 RBI (.696 OPS) 2.3 WAR
No one else with 20 HR is under 700 OPS.
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Thanks Devin. Would be nice to see our guy learn to take a walk and still stay around 20/80. That would get him over .700.
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Who coulda thought:
Harrell would completely flame out, as well as Humber and Bedard.
Who woulda thought Dominguez would have 20HR’s, and Chris Carter would have 29 HR’s.
Castro having the BEST season yet, with doubles, and HR’s.
Who coulda predicted the CSN deal would be the WORST TV deal in history.
Letting Jimmy D. walk………(I watched WGN this weekend just to “hear” his voice).
Shoulda had a coaches only meeting, to let them know their jobs were on the block
if this team continued down like it did. Clark and Brocail….eyes are on you two guys.
I don’t think I thought this team would pass the 107 losses this year…….but it looks like they have given up, and so have we.
We are looking for a couple of good bats, and a #1 ace for the 2014 season………..
only problem is, Crane ain’t gonna give BIG bucks to anyone, and even if he did
the guy has to WANT to come here. Neither one is likely to happen.
I’ve beat Villar to death, so I won’t say anymore about that kid…………………..
My 2014 prediction: More than 100 losses again.
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Maybe Luhnow has Wladamir Balentien’s agent on the phone. MMP isn’t too different from a Japanese stadium…as least in RF. I’m with Becky though – for 2013 I thought Harrell would be consistent and Humber would deliver an ERA of about 5.60. Bedard wasn’t bad, but is a bottom of the rotation starter at this point. If he played for STL he might have 20 wins this year.
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Bedard is a bottom of the rotation starter on the worst team in baseball. That’s really the only reason he has a job.
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I don’t Becky – the additions of a full season of Cosart, assuming he can pitch at .500, and George Springer with late callups of McCullers and Singleton (yes I still believe) might stave off 100, or at least put it at around 100.
As for free agents – good luck convincing any to even come here. There is a reason we are a target for people trying to stay in baseball or get back in baseball (Hampton, Ortiz, Pena, etc.). It’s not all being cheap.
My personal target would be Nolasco – but it would take 4-5 years at 14-15 per, at my best guess. I don’t see any reason LA won’t fork it out to keep him. I would love to see us go after a “innings eater” much the same way that the last place (and 100 loss) Royals team did with Gil Meche in 2006. They had a 7 game improvment the next season, and 13 the season after taht. Unfortunately, as is the danger of those contracts, he was ineffective after two decent seasons in KC
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I think Folty is a late season callup possibility but not a 20 year old McCullers
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We coulda kept it under 100 loses if we woulda signed a few decent bullpen pieces, and maybe we woulda had a better offense and a lot fewer strike outs if our hitting coach worked with these guys on pitch recognition and plate discipline.
I’d hate to see my preseason prediction. I think I was a bit overly optimistic. Now if you’ll excuse me, I need a wash cloth to get this egg off my face.
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