Houston makes another move (No, not a pitcher)

[SportsWorld]

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd ... &fext=.jsp

HOUSTON -- Outfielder Darin Erstad has reached an agreement with the Astros on a one-year contract, general manager Ed Wade confirmed on Thursday.

Erstad, a veteran of 12 big league seasons, will provide a left-handed bat off the bench, as well as serve as a backup outfielder. The 33-year-old has experience at all three outfield positions and first base. In his career, Erstad has played 499 games in center, 272 in left, 10 in right and 601 games at first base.

"He'll be a left-handed bat off the bench," Wade said. "He has a lot of versatility. He's a great makeup guy. He's the prototypical professional player -- he brings a lot to the table and we're glad to have him."

Erstad played 11 years with the Angels before signing with the White Sox prior to the 2007 season. He has a career batting average of .284 with 118 home runs and 657 RBIs.

[A.J.]

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071227&content_id=2336982&vkey=hotstove2007&fext=.jsp

HOUSTON -- Outfielder Darin Erstad has reached an agreement with the Astros on a one-year contract, general manager Ed Wade confirmed on Thursday.

Erstad, a veteran of 12 big league seasons, will provide a left-handed bat off the bench, as well as serve as a backup outfielder. The 33-year-old has experience at all three outfield positions and first base. In his career, Erstad has played 499 games in center, 272 in left, 10 in right and 601 games at first base.

"He'll be a left-handed bat off the bench," Wade said. "He has a lot of versatility. He's a great makeup guy. He's the prototypical professional player -- he brings a lot to the table and we're glad to have him."

Erstad played 11 years with the Angels before signing with the White Sox prior to the 2007 season. He has a career batting average of .284 with 118 home runs and 657 RBIs.

he will take palmeiro's spot, and will be a valueable person off the bench for our playoff run.

[SportsWorld]

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he will take palmeiro's spot, and will be a valueable person off the bench for our playoff run.

Playoff run? When is Wade going to sign a pitcher?

[A.J.]

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Playoff run? When is Wade going to sign a pitcher?

to answer your question in the Ryan Mallett thread..yes, im going to OU simply because they sent me a letter that they have interest in me playing baseball for them, and also it came down to a family decision.

i do believe we have a shot at making the playoffs....and wade said he has interest in Kris Benson, but i think our rotation should be fine.

[trwi7]

Come on Coop, start him over Pence! You're not getting any more grit from Biggio you need some and Erstad will provide it.

[Pats19andO]

This makes the astros instant contenders. They might even beat the Redsox in the WS!

[Da Schwab]

Ha! They just signed Oscar Villarreal to a 2-yr deal.

[Scalabrine]

Whats there starting rotation?

I know they have:
1. Pence
2. Matsuie
3. Berkman
4. Lee
5. Tejada
6. Wiggington
7. Erstad
8. Towles
9. Pitcher

for a NL lineup thats pretty nast offensively they have guys that can get big hits and others that do little things like steal bases and bunt runners over. Othere than Oswalt there pitching seems awful though.

[SportsWorld]

Whats there starting rotation?

Oswalt
Woody Williams
Crap
Crap
Crap

[bigboy1234]

^Actually Woody is crap too, but Wandy is pretty decent.

[SportsWorld]

^Actually Woody is crap too, but Wandy is pretty decent.

I don't know much about Wandy but he always pitches well against the Cubs. That being said, all no-name pitches pitch like Cy Young against the Cubs.

[TSC25]

Good pick up if he's healthy.

[TSC25]

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to answer your question in the Ryan Mallett thread..yes, im going to OU simply because they sent me a letter that they have interest in me playing baseball for them, and also it came down to a family decision.

i do believe we have a shot at making the playoffs....and wade said he has interest in Kris Benson, but i think our rotation should be fine.

Good luck at Oklahoma,what position will you be playing for them,I know a kid at Mississippi (Lance Lynn) who I look forward to see get drafted again,he was drafted by Seattle a couple years back,and his brother said the Yankees have intrest in him after this upcoming season.I personally hope he ends up in Oakland.

[A.J.]

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Good luck at Oklahoma,what position will you be playing for them,I know a kid at Mississippi (Lance Lynn) who I look forward to see get drafted again,he was drafted by Seattle a couple years back,and his brother said the Yankees have intrest in him after this upcoming season.I personally hope he ends up in Oakland.

i will be playing 1st base....i hope they bench me the first year, because i need to get a little stronger.

[WEFFPIM]

Woo, Oscar Villareal!! Hand them the pennant already!

[trwi7]

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i will be playing 1st base....i hope they bench me the first year, because i need to get a little stronger.

Why not just redshirt and give yourself another year of eligibility?

[A.J.]

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Why not just redshirt and give yourself another year of eligibility?

yeah, thats what i meant, i hate using the word redshirt....lol

[Bleeding Green]

It's hard to hate 1-yr deals but when they involve the worst player in baseball you make exceptions.

If Darin Erstad has a .600 OPS or greater I'll eat an Astros hat.

I love all these moves the Astros are making in an attempt to be competitive. It's setting them back bigtime at a chance to win 84 games and miss the playoffs.

[trwi7]

It's setting them back bigtime at a chance to win 84 games and miss the playoffs.

84 wins with that pitching staff?

[SportsWorld]

The sad thing is, 84 wins may be enough to win the NL Central. Maybe not though because the Cubs and Brewers or at least the Cubs improved this offseason. Not so sure about the Brewers yet losing CoCo and getting Gagne.