Climbing Tal's Hill » Hot Stove http://climbingtalshill.com A Houston Astros Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More Fri, 24 May 2013 03:11:18 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 Brett Myers Signs with Indians http://climbingtalshill.com/2013/01/01/brett-myers-signs-with-indians/ http://climbingtalshill.com/2013/01/01/brett-myers-signs-with-indians/#comments Wed, 02 Jan 2013 02:48:29 +0000 Brian Hamilton http://climbingtalshill.com/?p=5283 Former Astros starter and closer, Brett Myers, has agreed to a one year deal with a club option with the Cleveland Indians. Myers owns a career record of 97-93 with a 4.20 ERA in 11 seasons with the Phillies, Astros and White Sox. Having closed for the Phillies and Astros in the past, Myers is expected [...]

Brett Myers Signs with Indians - Climbing Tal's Hill - Climbing Tal's Hill - A Houston Astros Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

]]> Former Astros starter and closer, Brett Myers, has agreed to a one year deal with a club option with the Cleveland Indians. Myers owns a career record of 97-93 with a 4.20 ERA in 11 seasons with the Phillies, Astros and White Sox. Having closed for the Phillies and Astros in the past, Myers is expected to slot into Cleveland’s rotation for the 2013 season. He will be reunited with former Astros manager, Brad Mills, who now serves as Cleveland’s third base coach under new manager Terry Francona.

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]]> http://climbingtalshill.com/2013/01/01/brett-myers-signs-with-indians/feed/ 0 Special Interview with topprospectalert.com http://climbingtalshill.com/2012/12/25/special-interview-with-topprospectalert-com/ http://climbingtalshill.com/2012/12/25/special-interview-with-topprospectalert-com/#comments Wed, 26 Dec 2012 02:32:56 +0000 Alex Sandoval http://climbingtalshill.com/?p=5232 I had the great opportunity to have a few questions answered by the people at topprospectalert.com, a website I really respect and enjoy reading. During our interview we discussed a variety of topics ranging from the Astros to the entire MLB when it concerned the minor leagues. I really hope everyone enjoys and gets a [...]

Special Interview with topprospectalert.com - Climbing Tal's Hill - Climbing Tal's Hill - A Houston Astros Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

]]> I had the great opportunity to have a few questions answered by the people at topprospectalert.com, a website I really respect and enjoy reading. During our interview we discussed a variety of topics ranging from the Astros to the entire MLB when it concerned the minor leagues. I really hope everyone enjoys and gets a glimpse of what is to come.

(more…)

]]> http://climbingtalshill.com/2012/12/25/special-interview-with-topprospectalert-com/feed/ 0 Astros’ bullpen has potential to be nasty in 2013 http://climbingtalshill.com/2012/12/22/astros-bullpen-has-potential-to-be-nasty-in-2013/ http://climbingtalshill.com/2012/12/22/astros-bullpen-has-potential-to-be-nasty-in-2013/#comments Sat, 22 Dec 2012 16:25:12 +0000 Alex Sandoval http://climbingtalshill.com/?p=5191 Nasty in a very good way as recent additions have turned the Stros’ bullpen into something intriguing and worth watching. Starting with the addition of Josh Fields, who throughout baseball was considered almost a lock to go number one in the Rule 5 Draft. Now, throw in the addition of Jose Veras who has been [...]

Astros’ bullpen has potential to be nasty in 2013 - Climbing Tal's Hill - Climbing Tal's Hill - A Houston Astros Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

]]> Nasty in a very good way as recent additions have turned the Stros’ bullpen into something intriguing and worth watching. Starting with the addition of Josh Fields, who throughout baseball was considered almost a lock to go number one in the Rule 5 Draft. Now, throw in the addition of Jose Veras who has been pretty good over the last three season, including very nice strikeout numbers, and you have potential. The one person who could turn this into an intriguing group is Jarred Cosart who has been speculated to be in the Stros bullpen plans. That trio could be pretty interesting and potentially lights out.

Jose Veras: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports

For a rule 5 addition, Josh Fields might be the closest thing to a lock to be in the Astros bullpen as can be expected. He could be the 7th or even 8th inning guy and given the expectations, could be exceptional in that role. His age and pedigree seem to fit the bill as a very good reliever, with the ability to get a strikeout when needed. The same could be said for Jose Veras, as the underrated reliever had his worst season in the last three in 2012. Yet, in 2012, Veras had a very nice 3.67 ERA and a nice strikeout ratio of 10.6 per 9 innings. Walks were an issue and have been throughout his career, that would be something to keep an eye out for. Those two should create at least a little buzz with some pretty electric stuff but a third member could make the Stros bullpen a difference maker.

When the Stros acquired Jarred Cosart, more than a few baseball experts thought that his eventual role would be as a dominant closer. The Stros are banking on using his incredible stuff to become a number one or at the very least good number two starter. So, while I’d be concerned about using him out of the pen, as a baseball move, it would set him up as a potential future closer and get him MLB innings. Cosart, whether as a closer, 8th inning or 7th inning guy, has the potential to have a Brad Lidge type climb.

While Fields, Veras and Cosart all have big question marks, if they are answered, it could get fun in the late innings. For a young team, defense and bullpen are incredibly important, so setting up a strong pen is the right way to go for Jeff Luhnow. While not flashy acquisitions, adding Fields and Veras could be moves that make Luhnow look like a genius in 2013. We will see about Cosart but the potential is there to be a scary good 7th, 8th and 9th inning trio.

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