So is it not getting Dunn or is Justice covering both Sides?

I agree that Helton's numbers at home are inflated - but that's to be expected. If Pujols played at Coors, he'd bat 0.400 at home and 0.340 on the road. My point was that Helton, on the road, is still one of the top hitters in baseball, and far better than anything else on the trade market. Will he bat 0.380? No. But in 2003 and 2004, he's batted 0.325 on the road with an OPS near 1.000 - that's Berkman-level numbers. Imagine the impact of adding a second Berkman into our lineup.

 

Why does Purpura look like an idiot? For giving Taveras, Burke and Lane a chance? For losing Beltran, whose numbers are worse than Taveras? For not spending ridiculous money on crap like Finley?

 

I'd agree with you Major, if Helton was doing his usual thing. This year he's well below those numbers on the road and noticeably below his usual numbers at Coors. Given his age and contract, I think it's a gamble that isn't worth it.

 

IIRC, the insurance only kicks in if Bagwell misses an entire season. If he does not come back next season because of the shoulder, insurance will pay his salary for 2006. The Astros are not getting anything back for this season.

 

True, but he has gotten very hot as of late. His numbers are creeping back towards normal for Helton. He'll get over .300, hit 25 hr's, and be close, if not over, 100 rbi by seasons end.

 

I didn't say I thought he looked like an idiot now, only that he does to most with their wait-and-see approach with Beltran and the handling of the Jeff Kent situation. I have no problem with him thus far. But if he opts to not add a bat this year, then he is an idiot. Fair?

 

depends on who is truly available and what the cost is

 

B.S. Max. It was quite easy on my Playstation.

 

I think the only way the Helton gets traded is if the Rockies pick up some of his contract. I remember reading an article about him in a recent issue of ESPN the magazine and he basically said that he'd never come out and ask to be traded because it would break his heart to see the Rockies win and not be a part of it. In the article, they speculated that because his contract is so bloated and such an albatross for the Rockies, they'd have to cut their losses and take a hit in the short term (by paying some of his guaranteed money) in order to gain that financial wiggle room they would receive by having him off their roster.

It's simply a case of pay me now or pay me later. The sooner they can get him off their books, the sooner they can replenish and restock their team. With his FULL salary on their books, it's cost-prohibitive for them to address other needs.

FWIW, Helton's MMP numbers vs. Coors Canaveral over the past three years (2002-2005)

(MMP - Coors)
AB: 33 - 851
H: 14 - 323
R: 9 - 224
HR: 2 - 62
RBI: 8 - 197
BB: 6 - 174
AVG: .424 - .380
OPS: 1.215 (.488 +.727) - 1.181 (.482 +.699)

he'd have a higher OPS at MMP

 

yeah, i suppose everyone's available that way.

there was a pedro/johan santana trade in my fantasy league. get 'er done, timmy!!!

 

I think he has to try, but if nothing's available to a decent price, I wouldn't force a move just for the sake of it. I think the real test will be to see if the guys we might want (Helton, Dunn, etc) get traded elsewhere and at what price. I hope we don't just make a move for a Millar or someone like that out of desperation.

If Burke and Lane improve as the season progresses, then that's the equivalent of adding a bat right there, so I don't think it's impossible to win without an extra bat.

 

Those two guys hit more homers while hitting for a much higher average. The Reds are asking alot for a guy with a serious flaw and Purpura should be hesitant about doing the deal.

 

please don't ever compare Sammy Sosa and Mark McGwire to Adam Dunn ever again thanks in advance for your cooperation with this matter.

 

I said it once and I'll say it again....I think this (between now and the deadline) is where we are really going to miss Hun. I hope I am wrong...but I think we will. Hun seemed to always get our hat in the ring where we never thought it was possible...hopefully Tim can do the same.

 

It will absolutely positively be a failure if Pupura can't get us a bat before the trade deadline. We all know one is needed, Drayton will give the go-ahead on salary, and there are bats out there to be had. The turnaround this season has been remarkable, and I'm starting to believe, but the offense still needs help. 3 regulars hitting .240 or below, and that's not including Adam Everett's poor season. The fact that they're in contention with all that is testament to how amazing the rotation (and Ensberg) has been.

 

but at what cost??? and who, specifically??? another half-season rental??

 

Lane will heat up again, extreme streakiness is his trademark going back to the minors. He's much better suited to hit 6th (he's by all accounts a serious grinder, and needs someone to take a little pressure off him). Berkman should keep improving. Moberg is due for a bit of a dropoff from his ridiculous recent hotstreak.

Burke gives them nothing they really need right now, other than a warm body in LF who's been the "best" of a truly horrible group of performers at the position. He'd be serviceable on a team where he could play 2nd, hit 2nd or 7-8, surrounded by actual run producers in the lineup. The trickle-down effect of his playing every day - Lane hitting 5th, forcing you to put Everett in an RBI spot (6th) - is a huge problem.

They need someone to hit in the 5 hole, desperately. Lane/Everett/Ausmus isn't a bad 6-8 at all, but the total lack of production from the 5 spot has killed the team, and continues to do so.

It doesn't have to be a superstar, either. Just a solid bat that may be available far cheaper than the *rumored* price tag for a guy like Dunn. I listed a few guys somewhere in another thread that fit this bill, but from the quotes we've seen, even these lower-tier guys are crazy overpriced in the current trade market (Millar for Qualls, anyone?).

Well, that was basically a roundabout way of saying what we already know - they need another bat. We'll see how it shakes out.

 

Yea, I think you take a half-season rental if you have to. How can you not give Roger another shot at the postseason with the year he's had? As for specifically who, there have been lots of hitters mentioned. Just look for good hitters on teams who aren't going anywhere, and move on them. Crawford in Tampa, Sweeney in KC, Sexson in Seattle, Dunn in Cincy, Helton in Colorado, Lawton in Pitt, Alou in SF... I bet any of those guys can be had for the right package. And not necessarily our top prospects either.

 

There isn't a player available who doesn't have question marks. That's the difference from last year. On top of it, the Astros gave away almost nothing for Beltran. They traded a struggling Dotel (whose kept on struggling and then got hurt) and a once promising catcher prospect who had lost some of his luster and hasn't done anything to get it back. The demands teams have this year seem to be ridiculous. For the Astros to make a trade just so they make a trade would be silly and will do more harm than good.