I've always liked Keppinger, and players like Kepp (i.e. Mark Loretta) but they never seem to stay very long in Houston. Through other fanposts and game discussion threads we've talked about possible returns for Bourn, Pence, Wandy etc... but don't think we've spent much time on Kepp. In fact, he might be the most coveted and easiest peice to trade. After his strong season last year, he's continuing it this year (knowing that he's been playing well I still did a double-take when I glanced at his .336 AVG this morning).  He's not an All-Star but still a very valuable player and if you put him on a winning team with many good players around him he could improve a team dramatically IMO.

So I pose these questions.

Could he bring a solid return by himself? (Talking about a B prospect)

Would we be better suited to package him with a flashier name like Pence or Bourn to get a top-notch prospect?

Or, am I over-stating his value...and most teams probably just view him as a bench player?

Let me first point out that this post is trivial. I do not believe that Young for Lee will happen but simply want to start a discussion as to why (maybe) it should happen (for both teams)... and want to talk baseball as everyone anxiously awaits the beginning of spring training. 

Continue reading this post »

In light of the Shaun Marcum to Milwaukee for top 50 prospect - Double A - second baseman Brett Lawrie (to Toronto) trade.......I wonder what will happen to Aaron Hill.

Continue reading this post »

Does anyone have (or know) of an in-depth scouting report on Shuck? Since he was recently promoted to Round Rock I'm thinking he might be part of the Astros 2011 plans (If they can unload Lee or make a bold move with Bourn or Pence). I've heard mixed reviews on him. Most commonly (from national media or scouts) that he's a 4th outfielder but with his good avg. and high OBP in the minors it seems like he might have a chance as an everyday player.

Just curious as the Astros finally have a plan for the future and have taken steps toward the future with the trades last week.

Has anybody seen him play?

Any comprables?

Thanks.

How are all these teams getting players such as Victor Martinez, Cliff Lee, Jake Peavy ... and so on..... without giving up their main prospects?

Continue reading this post »

Amongst all the Roy Halladay trade speculation ( & prospects the Blue Jays will receive speculation) I happened upon an Article by Baseball America that lists their new mid-season top 50 prospect rankings.  I'm not a BA subscriber so I couldn't tell you how to get there from their page and I have no idea how to post links ... so I'll just have to tell you how I got there. 

Went to mlbtraderumors.com and clicked on the link called Baseball America ranks under the rumor titled Roy Halladay Rumors:  Prospect Update.  (It's in the section talking about the Cardinals prospects & Brett Wallace).

Anyway, Jason Castro ranks # 19 and if you can count on your own Jordan Lyles ranks #41.  Not bad for an organization that ranked dead last in farm systems last year.  This obviously is nothing but possitive news.  I, for one, am sick of the national media bashing the Astros organization every chance they get.  Whether it's how imcompitent Ed Wade is - or how old and bound for failure our current roster is - or how inept our farm system is ... the national media seems to enjoy ripping us. 

No matter what happens the rest of this year and how the FO handles our Free Agent (i.e. Tejada, Valverde, Hawkins) situation at least we can look forward to hearing some possitive talk about our farm system.  I would consider Castro untouchable and probably wouldn't trade Lyles but it means we could at least seriously entertain trade talks for Jake Peavy when that surfaces again this off-season.  As I said ... I'm not advocating doing that and trading away our future but at least we got options.  And having options has got to be good.

Hey .... In Bobby Heck we trust!! ... Right?

I'm an Astros fan but I visit other teams fan blogs to check out different perspectives on their players and what fans think their teams should do.  With that in mind...

With the news of Jake Peavy being available and him being interested in coming to Houston... most Astros fans are salivating at the opportunity of seeing him and Oswalt atop our rotation.  Obviously we would have to give up a lot and we don't have very much in our farm system.  Realizing that it would probably take a 3rd team involved to bring Peavy to Houston... I figured the Indians might be a good candidate for that third team. 

I believe the Indians are looking for a closer and third baseman so if the Astros offered Valverde & Wigginton what would you be willing to give up.  Obviously it would have to be young players and players that the Padres would want.  I just wanted to check and see if those players interested Indians fans and what the possibilities were.