Wandy Rodriguez to Start

JoseA · 02-16-2007, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Despite a deep pool of skeptics, lefthander Wandy Rodriguez would have to flop, be injured or traded to not earn a spot in the starting rotation if the Houston Astros' don't acquire a veteran lefthander.

With that in mind, righthanders Fernando Nieve, Chris Sampson, Brian Moehler, Dave Borkowski, Matt Albers and Ezequiel Astacio are the top contenders for the other starting spot.

Wandy likely to start for Houston - Rumors - MLB - Yahoo! Sports

So, so, I see Wandy having alot of potential, but he hasn't been pitching the greatest the past 2 season, but he is young enough yet...

aCutb · 02-16-2007, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JoseA

Wandy likely to start for Houston - Rumors - MLB - Yahoo! Sports

So, so, I see Wandy having alot of potential, but he hasn't been pitching the greatest the past 2 season, but he is young enough yet...

But he has won more games than he has lost the past two years, and we don't have that many options in our rotation, so I don't mind Wandi being our #4 starter. I believe that Nieve or Sampson will be the #5 starter and the other being a bullpen pitcher. I believe Sampson will be the starter and Nieve the bullpen pitcher.

bigheadache · 02-17-2007, 11:45 PM

I don't think Rodriguez will automatically get a spot because he is the only lefty in the mix. I do think he will get a spot if things are relatively even between him and the other contenders. The Astros have more decisions this Spring Training than they have had for a while. The back of the rotation is just one of them.

My expectation (and it changes daily) is that Rodriguez goes to the pen as a second lefty in the pen behind Trevor Miller. Nieve also goes to the pen due to his late off season elbow surgery. That makes Sampson and Albers as the front runners for the 2 rotation spots. I expect that Albers will start the season in Round Rock and won't be called up until a 5th starter is needed. Brad Moehler wil be the final pitcher in the pen, serving in long relief.

I also expect the Astros to make at least 1 trade before Spring Training is over.

02-17-2007, 11:45 PM	#3 (permalink)
bigheadache Moderator Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roswell, NM Posts: 737	I don't think Rodriguez will automatically get a spot because he is the only lefty in the mix. I do think he will get a spot if things are relatively even between him and the other contenders. The Astros have more decisions this Spring Training than they have had for a while. The back of the rotation is just one of them. My expectation (and it changes daily) is that Rodriguez goes to the pen as a second lefty in the pen behind Trevor Miller. Nieve also goes to the pen due to his late off season elbow surgery. That makes Sampson and Albers as the front runners for the 2 rotation spots. I expect that Albers will start the season in Round Rock and won't be called up until a 5th starter is needed. Brad Moehler wil be the final pitcher in the pen, serving in long relief. I also expect the Astros to make at least 1 trade before Spring Training is over.