Welcome To Case's Column
Let me say a big welcome to all of you for joining me here. I'm going to call these blog meetings Case's Column. I wanted to use "Corner", but that was already taken.
Since 2008, it's been a real privilege to come on here and share some of my life with you, and it's a big world where we live.
In these blogs, I'll just speak whatever is on my mind, but we will be playing within the rules here. I may pick a particular topic, point out an event, or shoot the breeze. I'm a little bit of an essayist at times, so I'll just speak what's on my mind, and I might tell a story or two. Or, I might spew out an opinion or three. There will be some serious moments, some tender, some poignant, but there will also be those moments that you'll just bust out laughing. But, hopefully, everything will be in good fun here. And, of course, there's a place below for your comments and thoughts as we go along here. So feel free to join me for the ride -- I sure as heck hope I'm doing this right and not making any mistakes.
Thanks for taking your time in reading Case's Column. Hopefully, you'll enjoy being entertained by it as much as I've enjoyed putting these writings together. And thanks for the time you spend in City-Data.com, where it's great to be alive!
Regards,
case44
Let me say a big welcome to all of you for joining me here. I'm going to call these blog meetings Case's Column. I wanted to use "Corner", but that was already taken.
Since 2008, it's been a real privilege to come on here and share some of my life with you, and it's a big world where we live.In these blogs, I'll just speak whatever is on my mind, but we will be playing within the rules here. I may pick a particular topic, point out an event, or shoot the breeze. I'm a little bit of an essayist at times, so I'll just speak what's on my mind, and I might tell a story or two. Or, I might spew out an opinion or three. There will be some serious moments, some tender, some poignant, but there will also be those moments that you'll just bust out laughing. But, hopefully, everything will be in good fun here. And, of course, there's a place below for your comments and thoughts as we go along here. So feel free to join me for the ride -- I sure as heck hope I'm doing this right and not making any mistakes.
Thanks for taking your time in reading Case's Column. Hopefully, you'll enjoy being entertained by it as much as I've enjoyed putting these writings together. And thanks for the time you spend in City-Data.com, where it's great to be alive!
Regards,
case44
Giles To Make Big Difference For Astros In 2016
Talk about a splash. The Houston Astros needed to do one thing at baseball's Winter Meetings in Nashville this past week. That one mission was shoring up the bullpen.
Now, you're probably saying, "Well, wait a minute, Case. They already have Luke Gregerson, Pat Neshek, and Will Harris. Just because they had rough outings in September and October doesn't necessary mean that they...."
I hear you, but it shouldn't be any indictment to the aforementioned.
Here's the deal: Lefty Tony Sipp, a very reliable reliever, had become a free agent. The Astros and GM Jeff Luhnow were successful in getting him back. Now, they needed a hard thrower. Houston was deep enough in its farm system that they were willing to part with a few established players plus a top prospect.
They did just that. What the Astros got was and is an up-and-coming hard thrower who has tasted big-league success last season with a rebuilding Philadelphia Phillies team and has the opportunity to become one of the game's elite.
Astros fans, meet righthander Ken Giles.
To get him, they parted with pitchers Vincent Velasquez, Mark Appel, Harold Arauz, and Brett Oberholtzer. Earlier, it was believed that outfield prospect Derek Fisher would be thrown in the mix to go to Philly, but that fell through due to issues with a physical. Top prospect Appel (also a former number 1 pick) was thrown in at the last second. It will be a win-win for both parties. In Houston, you better get ready. That splash I spoke of at the beginning? Well, we just got splashola!
I have taken the following item from a thread post done on the Baseball forum page, and this poster's contribution fits the subject matter very well (and not to mention the public service I present to you here....). Here, now, are his thoughts.....
They had a good bullpen, but they didn't make the right pitches in that eighth inning of Game 4. The Astros had a four-run lead and just could not contain Kansas City. Will Harris just didn't have his usual stuff (and he'd been lights-out in most of his appearances), and neither did the other peeps late in the game. That's why baseball is a funny game sometimes.
The Astros have the impressive Tony Sipp, who has improved and is a legitimate relief pitcher. Ken Giles, another one of the best in the game. And Luke Gregerson. The way I see it, that's 3 great relief pitchers, and Pat Neshek who's pretty good, as well, to add to the group. Plus, all your other guys to give them a rest.
That being said, with a strengthened bullpen, are the Astros now a very well-rounded team from all angles?
Yes, they are. They just needed a hard thrower to complement the finesse Gregerson, and now they have that in Giles. The Astros are better. In fact, even better than last year if A.J. Reed can make the cut at first base, and I'm betting he will. I don't have to tell you about Jose Altuve, George Springer, Carlos Correa, and the others; you already know what they'll bring.
The rotation will have Dallas Keuchel and Collin McHugh at the top. With Brett Oberholtzer gone to Philly and Scott Kazmir a free agent, it opens the door for another lefty, which I'd like to see in the rotation. Scott Feldman should return for one more year, and Lance McCullers, Jr, will get an opportunity as a sophomore in the bigs. If everyone stays healthy (especially Springer), then watch out.
Yep, hate to see Obie go, but I wish him all the best in Philly. I think he will reach superstardom there. And the Astros? Ken Giles will make all the difference in closing games this season, creating even more excitement at Minute Maid Park.
Now, you're probably saying, "Well, wait a minute, Case. They already have Luke Gregerson, Pat Neshek, and Will Harris. Just because they had rough outings in September and October doesn't necessary mean that they...."
I hear you, but it shouldn't be any indictment to the aforementioned.
Here's the deal: Lefty Tony Sipp, a very reliable reliever, had become a free agent. The Astros and GM Jeff Luhnow were successful in getting him back. Now, they needed a hard thrower. Houston was deep enough in its farm system that they were willing to part with a few established players plus a top prospect.
They did just that. What the Astros got was and is an up-and-coming hard thrower who has tasted big-league success last season with a rebuilding Philadelphia Phillies team and has the opportunity to become one of the game's elite.
Astros fans, meet righthander Ken Giles.
To get him, they parted with pitchers Vincent Velasquez, Mark Appel, Harold Arauz, and Brett Oberholtzer. Earlier, it was believed that outfield prospect Derek Fisher would be thrown in the mix to go to Philly, but that fell through due to issues with a physical. Top prospect Appel (also a former number 1 pick) was thrown in at the last second. It will be a win-win for both parties. In Houston, you better get ready. That splash I spoke of at the beginning? Well, we just got splashola!
I have taken the following item from a thread post done on the Baseball forum page, and this poster's contribution fits the subject matter very well (and not to mention the public service I present to you here....
). Here, now, are his thoughts.....Quote:
Originally Posted by ParaguaneroSwag
So, after a successful 2015 season, most Astros fans would agree that the one piece missing to make the Astros just that much better was a more solid bullpen. The Astros were 2 innings away from beating the World Series champions and advance to the championship series, when the bullpen breakdown happened. In other words, the Astros seriously had a shot to go all the way if they had a better bullpen.
Quote:
Originally Posted by ParaguaneroSwag
The Astros have the impressive Tony Sipp, who has improved and is a legitimate relief pitcher. Ken Giles, another one of the best in the game. And Luke Gregerson. The way I see it, that's 3 great relief pitchers, and Pat Neshek who's pretty good, as well, to add to the group. Plus, all your other guys to give them a rest.
That being said, with a strengthened bullpen, are the Astros now a very well-rounded team from all angles?
The rotation will have Dallas Keuchel and Collin McHugh at the top. With Brett Oberholtzer gone to Philly and Scott Kazmir a free agent, it opens the door for another lefty, which I'd like to see in the rotation. Scott Feldman should return for one more year, and Lance McCullers, Jr, will get an opportunity as a sophomore in the bigs. If everyone stays healthy (especially Springer), then watch out.
Yep, hate to see Obie go, but I wish him all the best in Philly. I think he will reach superstardom there. And the Astros? Ken Giles will make all the difference in closing games this season, creating even more excitement at Minute Maid Park.
Total Comments 1
Comments
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Mark Appel has expressed his sadness for not making his big-league debut with his hometown team. He is, after all, from the Houston area. It wasn't meant to be. Admittedly, when the final decision was made, I was a bit surprised myself, thinking he'd have a chance with Houston in Kissimmee in March.
Forget it. He's going to get an opportunity in a Phillies uniform now. Don't be surprised if both he and Obie make the rotation this coming spring.Posted 12-12-2015 at 01:28 PM by case44
