Franco designated for assignment

[PopTop]

John Franco was the one cut loose today in order to make room for Ezequiel Astacio to start the 2nd game of the doubleheader.

[bagger]

:thumbsup:

now do we recall norton, or do we sign the recently released mike stanton? i don't see the team going long without a lefty, regardless of the need or lack thereof of a LOOGY at this point.

[Astro Annie]

How much better than Franco is Stanton? They might decide to try Gallo again as the lefty specialist.

I'm glad they got rid of Franco, though. Yes, he's had a great career and all, but this year he's been horrid. I wish he'd been pitching to us and not for us.

[Toy Cannon]

I think they'll send someone to NYY for Stanton. He's still Yankee property 'til after the All-Star break. Maybe they'll swap the two veterans for each other :loser:

[PopTop]

Screw Stanton and the Yankees! :angry: Why give them anything for the same trouble we just got rid of? If Franco wants to go to the Bronx, more power to him, he could have my blessing. But I don't want any garbage back for him, especially garbage that would carry some major league salary committments. If Stanton doesn't get claimed or traded between now and his waiver period, and he's willing to accept a AAA assignment to re-prove himself, fine. But why make any deal for him that would mean putting him on the MLB roster immediately?

[Toy Cannon]

Screw Stanton and the Yankees! :angry: Why give them anything for the same trouble we just got rid of? If Franco wants to go to the Bronx, more power to him, he could have my blessing. But I don't want any garbage back for him, especially garbage that would carry some major league salary committments. If Stanton doesn't get claimed or traded between now and his waiver period, and he's willing to accept a AAA assignment to re-prove himself, fine. But why make any deal for him that would mean putting him on the MLB roster immediately?
I totally agree. I didn't say that that's what I wanted , just what I thought would happen. You know someone will pick him up. It's that lefty veteran reliever thing that will never die.

[Astro Annie]

Why does the someone need to be us, though?

[Toy Cannon]

Why does the someone need to be us, though?
I agree, it doesn't, but does the Astro braintrust have faith in the LHP at AAA? Who is there? Martin, Gallo...anyone else?

[Toy Cannon]

I checked the Express roster and Tom Martin isn't listed. Did he ask for and get his release? I believe he had that written into his contract. Carlos is the other LHP on the roster along with Gallo and Denny McDaniel.

At Corpus, the Hooks have Mark McLemore, Blake Allen and Cuz. I say it's time Cuz was given some kind of look-see :thumbsup:

[bagger]

astacio down. gallo up.

i had forgotten we released norton. so whose pumped about a third season of mike gallo's left arm? i'm hoping it's improved over the last year, but the numbers aren't overwhelming--more than a hit an inning, about the same K and BB rates as always. he is allowing much fewer homeruns at round rock, so maybe that's reason for optimism (2 in over 50 vs. 12 a little less than 50 last season).

edit gallo actually didn't look that bad today. it was a throwaway 8th with the team up eight runs, but he didn't look as wild as he has in the past and actually got the lefty dunn out! and from the astros.com team notes...

"Being down there for three months humbles you," Gallo said. "I got to learn to pitch with all my pitches. I'm a way better pitcher now than I was when we broke camp."

[barzilla]

I was rooting for Cuz to get the promotion to AAA, but I haven't seen his name there. BTW, welcome back Austin.