| Team History: Pat inherited the organization when Rich fled the NL Central for Yankee Stadium. This team was i rough shap and Pat has put a lot of effort into fixing it up. Lineup: an excellent 3-5, any lineup with A-rod in it is dangerous and Thome is an incredible slugger. He may get walked a lot as pitching to Hillenbrand would be more desirable since he has such a low OBP. No true leadoff guy, but they're hard to find anyhow. Rotations: Jennings is an up and coming pitcher, but this rotation is very Old Reed, Finley, Ashby and Benes are al closer to the fading twilight than the blazing noon of their careers. When they're healthy they're all pretty good though. Bullpen: Nothing special, no real stoper who makes you think "Shit here he comes" when the manager brings him in. Bench: Glanville and Young are nice options off the bench. Defense: A-rod is a hell of a SS in all aspect of the game and that includes defensively. Otherwise a pretty average D, though Thome is a liability at 1b Minors: Some interesting players including the only knuckleballer in the minor leagues that I know of (Jared Fernandez). Condry will get playing time next year for certain. Over/under (who overperformed, who underperformed): Under - Arod, any time he's not threatening to break a single seaons record by a ss, it's a disappointment. Over, Macias has played well above expectations. Grade: B, Pat's done a hell of a job considering what he started with. Prescription: Youth to the Rotation and solidify the Pen. Being in the NL Central is tough luck, but things could change and the divison could soften. |
| HOUSTON ASTROS *NOTE - This analysis is strictly the opinion of the Red Sox GM, and was done as objectively as possible and strictly for the fun of it |
| GM Pat Gillespie RECORD 70-92 6th NL Central |
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| LINEUP 1. Terrence Long CF 2. Chris Gomez 2B 3. Alex Rodriguez SS 4. Jim Thome 1B 5. Shea Hillenbrand 3B 6. Gabe Kapler RF 7. Brandon Berger LF 8. Ben Davis C 9. Pitcher ROTATION 1. Jason Jennings 2. Rick Reed 3. Chuck Finley 4. Andy Ashby 5. Andy Benes |
| BENCH John Flaherty C Aaron Guiel OF Doug Glanville OF Dave Berg 2B BULLPEN B.J. Ryan Jamie Walker Denny Reyes Carlos Silva Kyle Farnsworth Armando Almanza Julian Tavarez Juan Acevedo (Closer) |
| INACTIVE Travis Hughes (AA) Dee Haynes(AAA) Julio Mateo RP Colby Lewis SP Jared Fernandez SP Eric Junge SP Francisco Rodriguez Dmitri Young Clay Condrey Jose Macias |