I'm excited to see him starting in center field tonight. He's the best center fielder the Astros have had since Carlos Beltran in 2004. They really haven't had any all-star center fielders in ages. I know Carlos Gomez isn't having his best year this season, hitting wise, but he was an all-star the past two years. He still plays an excellent center field defensively. He'll do a lot of the things the Astros haven't had at that position.

You'll enjoy Brett Phillips. He may reach the big leagues faster on the Brewers than he would have with the Astros. A lot of baseball experts call Brett Phillips a future all-star in the Major Leagues and a five-tool player. You probably won't know for two or three years.

Had the Astros remained patient they could have had the answer all along in center field.
But they need to win now and plus Daz Cameron may be a future stud in center field like his dad.

Only problem is Daz is an 18-year-old kid. We drafted him in the second round. Probably won't be in the big leagues for another four or five years. We need to try and re-sign Carlos Gomez after 2016 (he's signed for next year too I believe). So he can bridge the gap until Daz Cameron arrives.

This post was edited by Madmartigan on Jul 31 2015 02:33am

kargus, here's a good article for you to read on Brett Phillips. The hype is real with this kid. His nickname is Maverick.

http://www.brewcrewball.com/2015/7/30/9076839/brett-phillips-brewers-astros-carlos-gomez-trade

He's the one guy the Astros really didn't want to trade but they didn't want to wait another two years for him.
The Brewers may rush him to the big leagues sometime next year. They are in a position to play young kids, IMO

On the Astros board I frequent, believe me, most every Astros fan is upset they dealt Brett Phillips.

This post was edited by Madmartigan on Jul 31 2015 02:29am

I knew all about him already but Domingo Santana is the really interesting piece a real boom or bust power hitter

He hit .256 with 2 HRs and 8 RBIs in his brief time with the Astros this season, after struggling last year when he was first called up. It looked like he was on the verge of turning the corner and becoming a good young outfielder but the Astros sent him back down to the minor leagues.

I thought he should have stayed up this year when George Springer had gotten hurt but we elected to start Preston Tucker, Jake Marisnick and Colby Rasmus with the weak-hitting L.J. Hoes off the bench. Even Evan Gattis, who usually DH's, started a few games in left field.

You can start Domingo Santana right now. That kid is ready to improve and become a good player. Eventually, I think he's a .280 hitter that can hit 25 home runs and drive in 80 RBis if he plays a full Major League season. He reminds people of Richard Hidalgo. A guy who once hit .314 with 44 home runs and 122 RBIs in 2000. But that was known as a the steroid era and Hidalgo likely juiced for that monster year.

I think he will hit for a lower average and higher power numbers to be honest maybe like a prime jay bruce

4 AM. The trade deadline is at 3 PM this afternoon (central time).
The Astros better finalize that rumored deal with the Padres soon.

I'll probably rest a little only to wake up to hear they failed to finalize a deal. #SadFace
Craig Kimbrel would make the Astros bullpen nearly as good as the Royals.

All the Astros bullpen really lacks right now is a hard-throwing closer who has filthy stuff.

I mean heck, the Astros have the third best bullpen ERA in all of baseball right now, behind the Royals and Cardinals.

http://espn.go.com/mlb/stats/team/_/stat/pitching/split/128

The Astros bullpen is the best in opponent batting average against, at .200 also.

But add a guy like Craig Kimbrel and this bullpen would be as good as any. Our main weakness in the bullpen right now is we have a struggling, weak-throwing closer. I heard an Angels fan yelling out loud, "Hey Gregerson, a blown save is on the way you pussy arm." LOL. It was a lady behind home plate wearing an Angels cap. LOL

Ideally, I'd like to see Luke Gregerson in the 7th (not 9th), Pat Neshek in the 8th (solid set-up man) and Craig Kimbrel in the 9th (closer). I'm feeling good with Mike Fiers eating innings starting or relieving, but Tyson Ross would be nice to have also. You can never have enough dependable starters.

Just seems too good to be true. But I'm hopeful the Padres GM will drool over the package we have to offer.

This post was edited by Madmartigan on Jul 31 2015 03:12am

I always laugh when people say "prime" Jay Bruce, he's only 28. He has been smacking the shit out of the ball, it seems his knee problems are gone

If Kimbrel goes to Houston, does he become the closer?

Yea

wat