World Cup, Astros Moves

World Cup
The World Cup is winding down to the knock out rounds. I can't really say it's been the most exciting World Cup. In opening games, teams played tentative and appeared happy with a draw.

The second games provided a little more entertainment as teams started to think about points and goal differentials for advancement. Today is the first day of third games. FIFA mandates that the last games are played concurrently to avoid game day shenanigans.

South Africa earned the distinction of first host country not to advance. It's a shame to say the least. They acted as great hosts and there hasn't been much negative said about the venues. The worst thing that can be said is the sound of vuvuzelas making the stadia sound like beehives. I have no problem with it but some "traditionalists" have complained about it. Deal with it. If the fans didn't like it they wouldn't keep bringing them into games. It appears the foreign travelers to South Africa are enjoying making the noise as much as the natives.

The traditional European powers have played less than impressive. France ends the tournament in disarray. England hasn't managed to win in playing two lackluster games against the United States and Algeria. Spain lost a mild upset to Switzerland. Germany lost a stunner to Serbia after an opening 4-0 rout of Australia. Portugal managed a 0-0 tie versus Ivory Coast but embarrassed North Korea 7-0. France goes home with no wins and one scored goal. England is on the bubble to advance. Right now the name of the game is just to get the next round and start anew.

Team USA faces Algeria and with a win USA goes through. Conceding early goes has been USA's flaw. Algeria pressed impressively against England. USA needs to assert themselves early and not play from behind. The defense must play strong in the back third. Landon Donovan needs to impose his will on the game. They cannot come out flat and worry about getting help. They just need to go in and handle business.

Astros Call Ups
The Astros made five roster moves calling up three players and designating two players for assignment.

Astros 2008 top pick Jason Castro, 3rd baseman Chris Johnson and outfielder Jason Bourgeois join the Big Show from AAA Round Rock. Catcher Kevin Cash and outfielder Corey Sullivan received the designation for assignment tag.

Ed Wade probably convinced owner Drayton McLane that the season is in the tank. McLane is a stubborn blind old man. I think the scores of empty seats helped convince McLane to approve the moves. McLane always believes the Astros are one or two players away from contention. I believe he also thinks fans love the team so much they will show up on game day no matter what. Fortunately Astros fans are smarter than Cubs fans. Cubs fans show up no matter what and for years gave ownership no incentive to improve the team. Astros fans won't show up to watch a lousy team. McLane build up a lot of goodwill over the years with winning teams. His mismanagement of the team has driven it into the ground. Fans finally see McLane for the snake oil salesman that he is.

If McLane has finally given Wade full run of the team then that is a major step in the right direction. The call ups aren't meant to salvage a season but to give the players major league experience in a lost season. Castro needs the experience calling games from behind the plate and the sooner the better. Pedro Feliz has been a disaster at 3rd. Johnson is expected to split time with Feliz. I think if Johnson outplays Feliz, not a difficult task, then Feliz will be given his outright release.

Of the call ups, I think Bourgeois is the most interesting and might be a signal to a future move. Or not. With an outfield of Carlos Lee, Michael Bourn and Hunter Pence, Bourgeois will languish on the bench. I think the Astros will look to move Lee's bat in return for a prospect or two and try to get as much of his salary off payroll. They probably won't be able to trade Lee without agreeing to absorb part of his salary. Pitcher Roy Oswalt and first basemen Lance Berkman may also end up in other uniforms before the trade deadline.

I'm Back Astros

Like a jilted lover, I'm back with the Houston Astros. For the last two years I've not only been boycotting the Astros but praying for a complete collapse. I prayed for disaster so people would stop going to games and force Drayton McLane to either sell the team or reexamine the business model.

I've been very critical of McLane and how he's run the Astros lately.

For starters, while many view him as cheap, I think that's a misconception. This years payroll of approximately $92 million ranks 13th in the Major Leagues. In 2009, the Astros ranked 8th with a $102 million payroll. Call it anything you want but don't call it cheap.

What McLane has done has spent his money unwisely. An examination of the 2010 payroll explains what I mean.

• Lance Berkman = $14.5 million
• Carlos Lee = $19 million
• Kazuo Matsui = $5.5 million
• Roy Oswalt = $15 million
• Wandy Rodriguez = $5 million
• Total = $59 million

Damn, I had to double and triple check my math but it's right. $59 million on five players on a twenty five player roster. That's about 64% of salary tied to 20% of the roster. I understand why Berkman, Lee and Oswalt are highly paid. Berkman and Oswalt are icons and McLane knows they are who fans want to see. Lee was a high priced free agent signing that probably hurt the team in the long term. Matsui is a bust and Rodriguez is overpaid for what he's done so far.

That is not good use of team resources. Couple that with the fact that McLane didn't believe in paying signing bonuses to rookies and it further explains the damage. McLane failed to realize the long term savings of locking up a player at a lower cost on the rookie contract. As a result the farm system is in shambles.

So to get back to the point on why I'm back. McLane says he finally gets it and understands drafting and player development. So I'm willing to take the Astros back on a trial basis.

Deep down I'm a sports guy. I like baseball. I don't love baseball. The Astros will never break the pecking order of the Texans, Houston Cougars, San Antonio Spurs or Pittsburgh Penguins. Texans and Cougars will always be my first loves. Spurs are my hometown team and are the only reason I watch any NBA basketball. The Pens I've been in love with since the Super Mario days.

Then come the Astros. I want to enjoy baseball and the fun involved with being in a Major League city. I want to see players develop and blossom into solid major league players. I want to savor the World Series again...this time on the winning side. Baseball is a beautiful game. So with these hopes and dreams, I once again reclaim my rights as a Houston Astros fan.

Drayton McClane's Cheap Ass Strikes Again

Drayton McClane strikes again. I've been silent lately on the Astros. Mainly cause there isn't much to talk about. McClane opened up the bank for two retread players. Not wanting to tender an offer to Ty Wigginton. I'll be honest, I don't know what Wigginton would have cost the Astros. I'm assume quiet a bit since McClane let him walk. Looking at his numbers, they were not bad and he had a little pop in the bat with 23 homers and 58 RBIs with a .285 average over 111 games.

So who does the Astros brain trust bring in? Aaron Boone. A 35 year old retread. It's just a sorry ass signing by cheap ass McClane. What the Astros get is an 11 year vet who batted .241 for 4 HRs and 28 RBIs. That's just a freaking terrible trade off in order to save a few bucks.

Ever since McClane's ego ran off Gerry Hunsicker, the Astros have wallowed in mediocrity. McClane's goal is remain marginally competitive. Just enough to tease and keep fans interested through out the season. Sprinkle in a few big name veterans like home grown Lance Berkman and Roy Oswalt and an occasional big free agent splash like Carlos Lee and he can point and say look at all he's doing to get them to win.

I've harped on it before and I'll continue to harp on it. He's to cheap to give signing bonuses to drafted players. As a result the farm system is rated the worst in the league. There are virtually no prospects in the pipeline to make the major league club. How telling is it that the Astros signed aged Mike Hampton instead of bringing up a couple of young arms to compete for the starting job? I think it points to the complete breakdown of the minor league clubs.

Mike Hampton. That signing is just a complete joke. They are bringing a broken down player who more than likely won't last the season. He had 13 starts in 2008 and was out completely for 2006 AND 2007. I'd rather the Astros take a chance with a young arm who just might last the season. Oh that's right, there is no one coming up.

Once again I will vote by my wallet and not put any money directly into Drayton McClane's team by going to the games. I know I'm just one person but I've had it with the Astros and McClain's ego getting in the way of what has been and could be a premier franchise in the Major Leagues.