Lyles probably back in the minors, probably anticipating some trades at the deadline for Myers and/or Wandy. Looks like signing for depth. One of these guys will probably be the Brian Moehler swingman type.
How there is a bargain basement veteran ready to step in at just about every position if the young guys falter. It’s not unlikely that Altuve, Paredes, Wallace, Martinez, Lyles, Sosa, and the pitcher we got from the red sox need to spend more time in the minors. If Schafer can’t handle it we have JB. The only guy I want to have a really long leash is Bogusevic because this is pretty much his one shot to establish himself and he does have some skills but the odds are against him at this point. I would still like to pick up another option either at third base or second base so if both Altuve and Paredes need more time in the minors we can cover both of their positions. That’s why I’d like to pick up that second baseman the As designated for asignment if he is still available
The fans in OKC are in for a show in the first half of the season. After the desolate AAA roster we fielded for much of last season it must be a welcome change for the fans up there.
Livan Hernandez is a good replacement for Brett Myers if Myers is traded. Like Myers, Hernandez’s value is pitching deep into games…innings eater. Between Duke and Hernandez, Astros are cornering the market on successful low velocity starters.
Luhnow likes Livan’s innings eating ability. He thinks that Livan can still pitch in the majors.
Livan thanks the Astros for having some faith in his ability; says he can help tutor the young pitchers; he is very proud of never being on the DL (and that is quite an accomplishment at his age) and says that he can be there every fifth day.
I’m surprised Hernandez couldn’t land a minor league deal somewhere. He would make a nice #5 starter on a lot of teams, and is a lock to give 200+ innings.
That Cespedes would be the number one prospect in most teams in the league and a surefire top 20 guy. I am a bit skeptical about that personally but it does show that scouts think of him very highly.
That’s even his real age. Obviously scouts know more than I do but I just have a bad feeling about him like he won’t make enough contact to use his speed and power. But I will be very curious to see how he does.
That’s according to Levine’s article this morning. Levine points out that there are players with major league experience behind every presumed starter. Luhnow said that he will continue to be opportunistic if good deals arise. Speaking of the depth behind Lowrie at shortstop, Luhnow said that the Astros hope to sign Angel Sanchez to a minor league deal so that he can compete with MarGo for the back up position.
I’m glad you posted that. Yesterday I got to thinking that I vaguely recalled Mike Fast with some articles that looked at pitch f/x for Livan Hernandez. But I couldn’t immediately locate them. Fast has an interest in using pitch f/x to get beyond DIPS theory (e.g., pitchers who are prone to weak contact). Livan has always been one of those interesting inquiries for pitching analysts because of his success working with low velocity (which is unusual for a RHP).
Livan should be a contrast with Figueroa from last year. Figueroa, for some reason, was one of the worst pitchers in baseball at getting strike calls. Livan is one of the best.
I hope, for the fans sake anyway, that Livan is able to land a spot in the Astros starting rotation.
He’ll have a few games when he’ll get killed, but for the most part he keep the team in the game until the 7th and every once in awhile he’ll through a real gem.
But win or lose you will love watching him work.
(And as an added bonus he can hit and bunt!)
I hope, for the fans sake anyway, that Livan is able to land a spot in the Astros starting rotation.
He’ll have a few games when he’ll get killed, but for the most part he keep the team in the game until the 7th and every once in awhile he’ll through a real gem.
But win or lose you will love watching him work.
(And as an added bonus he can hit and bunt!)
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/01/astros-sign-livan-hernandez.html
MlbTradeRumors says that he did not obtain any guaranteed money from the Astros, and this move is rotation depth.
conroestro - January 31, 2012 via mobile
Should be some heavy competition for that 5th spot. This and the Duke signing make me think a trade of Wandy and/or Myers is imminent.
Snake Diggity - January 31, 2012
I agree, but it seems like we’ve been saying that forever now.
conroestro - January 31, 2012 via mobile
Not that a trade is eminent
But that if we were to trade one of them, we would be prepared to fill that spot in the rotation.
BustaPozee - January 31, 2012
Duke and Hernandez >>>>>> RRS and Figgy, in any case
Methinks…
linkxmalon - January 31, 2012
Definitely
BustaPozee - January 31, 2012
More likely just a depth signing.
mike_o - February 3, 2012
ERR???
Why?
Lyles probably back in the minors, probably anticipating some trades at the deadline for Myers and/or Wandy. Looks like signing for depth. One of these guys will probably be the Brian Moehler swingman type.
CRPerry13 - January 31, 2012
Does there need to be a why for minor league signings?
OremLK - January 31, 2012
True. No big deal. Depth is good.
conroestro - January 31, 2012 via mobile
Cuban companion for Soler or Cespedes?
jmike - January 31, 2012
Maybe. But more likely innings eater and second pitching coach.
Hal J - January 31, 2012
I've been fearing this signing for about 5 years now.
I don’t mind it at all. I just wanna see a 55 mph throw(?).
ccislanders - January 31, 2012 via mobile
"Show 'em the Eephus, Livan!"
xD
linkxmalon - January 31, 2012
That's the spirit!
BustaPozee - January 31, 2012
PS, someone else made this
BustaPozee - January 31, 2012
I like
How there is a bargain basement veteran ready to step in at just about every position if the young guys falter. It’s not unlikely that Altuve, Paredes, Wallace, Martinez, Lyles, Sosa, and the pitcher we got from the red sox need to spend more time in the minors. If Schafer can’t handle it we have JB. The only guy I want to have a really long leash is Bogusevic because this is pretty much his one shot to establish himself and he does have some skills but the odds are against him at this point. I would still like to pick up another option either at third base or second base so if both Altuve and Paredes need more time in the minors we can cover both of their positions. That’s why I’d like to pick up that second baseman the As designated for asignment if he is still available
ntn - January 31, 2012 via mobile
Sizemore?
ccislanders - January 31, 2012 via mobile
No. Adrian Cardenas.
It took me forever to find his name bc my phone gets crappy reception in the bar in which I watch the bruins game.
ntn - January 31, 2012 via mobile
He’s not a bargain basement veteran but he’s a bargain basement young guy who has hit in the minors.
ntn - January 31, 2012 via mobile
Got it.
I remember a conversation here about possibly picking him up. I’d take a shot at him.
ccislanders - January 31, 2012 via mobile
One thing is likely.
The fans in OKC are in for a show in the first half of the season. After the desolate AAA roster we fielded for much of last season it must be a welcome change for the fans up there.
Crzycjunx76 - February 1, 2012
Solid grab
Livan is a workhorse and a great stopgap option/AAA depth guy in case one of the current guys falters. Another little tip of the cap to Mr. Luhnow.
kyuss94 - January 31, 2012
Livan Hernandez is a good replacement for Brett Myers if Myers is traded. Like Myers, Hernandez’s value is pitching deep into games…innings eater. Between Duke and Hernandez, Astros are cornering the market on successful low velocity starters.
clack - January 31, 2012
Too bad someone else signed Jamie Moyer first.
jmike - January 31, 2012
huge oppurtunity gone.
ccislanders - January 31, 2012 via mobile
I probably would have driven down to see him pitch a game or two. Its not often that you get to watch a player (almost) older than the owner
maroonedTexan - January 31, 2012
I dont think he wants to pitch anywhere except Boston.
but Tim Wakefield is still out there.
Crzycjunx76 - February 1, 2012
Fox interview with Livan and Luhnow....
Mildly interesting quotes.
Luhnow likes Livan’s innings eating ability. He thinks that Livan can still pitch in the majors.
Livan thanks the Astros for having some faith in his ability; says he can help tutor the young pitchers; he is very proud of never being on the DL (and that is quite an accomplishment at his age) and says that he can be there every fifth day.
clack - January 31, 2012
left out the link.
clack - January 31, 2012
I like the idea of him teaching the other pitchers
If he can teach our guys to do more with less I think our staff will be better for it.
maroonedTexan - January 31, 2012
I’m surprised Hernandez couldn’t land a minor league deal somewhere. He would make a nice #5 starter on a lot of teams, and is a lock to give 200+ innings.
Stupendous Man - January 31, 2012 via mobile
*major league deal
Stupendous Man - January 31, 2012 via mobile
175+ innings
Astro#1fan - February 1, 2012
At least
They didnt throw away a lot of money on Yoenis Cespedes. He seems like an imposter ‘young player.’
ntn - January 31, 2012 via mobile
Baseball America recently said
That Cespedes would be the number one prospect in most teams in the league and a surefire top 20 guy. I am a bit skeptical about that personally but it does show that scouts think of him very highly.
OremLK - February 1, 2012
My issue is he is already 26
and Cuban baseball is akin to something between high A and AA… I would say he is waaayyyyy old for his level.
Crzycjunx76 - February 1, 2012
I believe whoever signs him will expect him to play in the majors sometime this year
OremLK - February 1, 2012
If
That’s even his real age. Obviously scouts know more than I do but I just have a bad feeling about him like he won’t make enough contact to use his speed and power. But I will be very curious to see how he does.
ntn - February 1, 2012 via mobile
I think the Astros would be much better suited
to throw their cash at Jorge Soler.
kyuss94 - February 1, 2012
Luhnow satisfied with depth on 40 man roster...
That’s according to Levine’s article this morning. Levine points out that there are players with major league experience behind every presumed starter. Luhnow said that he will continue to be opportunistic if good deals arise. Speaking of the depth behind Lowrie at shortstop, Luhnow said that the Astros hope to sign Angel Sanchez to a minor league deal so that he can compete with MarGo for the back up position.
clack - February 1, 2012
Angel Sanchez will come to spring training as a non roster invitee
http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/02/angel-sanchez-clears-waivers.html
Looks like Luhnow has his veteran in place at short as insurance as well.
conroestro - February 1, 2012 via mobile
My best case scenario; Lowrie and MarGo are healthy and make the team, while Angel hangs out in AAA just in case.
MadMartygan - February 1, 2012
Here is a really good article over at BP with a lot of Livan details
Livan is good at what he does, and what he does will help the Astros a bit.
http://www.baseballprospectus.com/article.php?articleid=12965
CRPerry13 - February 2, 2012
And for what it's worth
The guy who wrote this article was hired by the Astros 2 weeks ago as a data analyst slash expert.
CRPerry13 - February 2, 2012
I’m glad you posted that. Yesterday I got to thinking that I vaguely recalled Mike Fast with some articles that looked at pitch f/x for Livan Hernandez. But I couldn’t immediately locate them. Fast has an interest in using pitch f/x to get beyond DIPS theory (e.g., pitchers who are prone to weak contact). Livan has always been one of those interesting inquiries for pitching analysts because of his success working with low velocity (which is unusual for a RHP).
clack - February 2, 2012
Livan should be a contrast with Figueroa from last year. Figueroa, for some reason, was one of the worst pitchers in baseball at getting strike calls. Livan is one of the best.
clack - February 2, 2012
I wonder if his World Series MVP has something to do with it.
Timothy De Block - February 2, 2012
Livo
I hope, for the fans sake anyway, that Livan is able to land a spot in the Astros starting rotation.
He’ll have a few games when he’ll get killed, but for the most part he keep the team in the game until the 7th and every once in awhile he’ll through a real gem.
But win or lose you will love watching him work.
(And as an added bonus he can hit and bunt!)
PerryMason - February 4, 2012
Livo
I hope, for the fans sake anyway, that Livan is able to land a spot in the Astros starting rotation.
He’ll have a few games when he’ll get killed, but for the most part he keep the team in the game until the 7th and every once in awhile he’ll through a real gem.
But win or lose you will love watching him work.
(And as an added bonus he can hit and bunt!)
PerryMason - February 4, 2012
Oops, sorry bout the double post
PerryMason - February 4, 2012
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