Quote (Altuve @ Feb 19 2013 07:52am)

That's true. having the 1st draft pick isn't all bad, i just want to see us relevant again soon LOL

Quote (Madmartigan @ Feb 20 2013 12:54am)

I would anticipate that happening as early as 2015 or 2016. Let's take our lumps in 2013 and 2014 - pick up a few more first overall picks.

Quote (Madmartigan @ Feb 20 2013 01:03am)

We have the lowest payroll in baseball right now as well. Close to $24 million by opening day March 31.

Our highest-paid player right now is Bud Norris making $3 million this season. I'm surprised we haven't traded him yet. LOL.

For comparison’s sake, Alex Rodriguez ($28 million), Johan Santana ($25.5 million), Felix Hernandez ($25 million) and Cliff Lee ($25 million) will make more money this season than the entire 2013 Astros’ opening-day roster.

But the bottom line: Signability will not be a problem for the Astros during the next few drafts. Which is why I expect us to splurge for hometown pitcher and Stanford graduate Mark Appel with the first overall pick this June. The Pirates didn't pony up the big bucks to sign him last year but we sure will.

Quote (Madmartigan @ Feb 19 2013 11:52am)

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Roger Clemens is starting his part-time job with the Astros as a special instructor

Kissimmee, Florida – Just because seven-time Cy Young winner Roger Clemens plans to spend more time around the Astros in 2013 doesn’t mean he intends on coaching or managing full time. Clemens said golf is a bigger part of his life than baseball now. Clemens stays around the sport to support his sons who play baseball and because of a vow he made to his mother.

Clemens, 50, is scheduled to make three instructional appearances during Astros spring training. His first is a four-day session that runs through Wednesday. But Clemens has no intention of permanently returning to a dugout in the near future.

“Not right now. I don’t see that,” Clemens said Tuesday at Osceola County Stadium. “I’m in a spot kind of like where I was when I tried to retire the first time. … ‘Dad, when are you coming home?’ – I’ve already gotten those calls.”

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Quote (Madmartigan @ Feb 20 2013 06:56am)

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#15 Jason Castro worked hard in the off-season and prepares to be the everyday catcher in 2013

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qH8z6awEl3Q

I hope this is finally the year Jason Castro breaks through. He looked like a promising prospect in 2010, missed all of 2011 with an ACL injury that he suffered early in spring training, and then he only played in 87 games in 2012 but showed a little pop in his bat by hitting 6 homers.

I really like his arm behind the plate and he's always been a good defensive catcher that I've seen.

He's still young enough, 25 years old, to put a nice career together. He's projected to hit 7th in our lineup.

Quote (suhduelerz @ Feb 21 2013 01:29am)

I was thinking about the type of "special instruction" the roid man would give. Then you posted this:



Now it's clear he is instructing on how to use roids. ;D