Interesting stuff. Thanks fatty.
Good article, yerfatma. I think, though, it might cut Purpura a little too much slack. Going against the conventional wisdom of trading players a year too early rather than a year too late, Purpura missed opportunities to cash in on career years from guys like Lidge, Burke and Ensberg and failed to either open up spots for, or deal, prospects like Jason Lane and Luke Scott. Instead, he has the horrible Jason Jennings deal and the worthless Woody Williams signing as his legacy. The handling of the Jeff Bagwell situation was a PR nightmare. I have a hard time making a case to defend Purpura, but I'm not an Astros fan. Maybe somebody with a more in-depth knowledge of the club can do a better job. It is astounding how many outfield prospects fail to live up to their expectations in Houston. They either have to leave to rise up or they never make it at all. Berkman, of course, but otherwise: Luke Scott, Jason Lane, Chris Burke, Willie Taveras, Bobby Abreu, Richard Hidalgo, Luis Gonzalez, Kenny Lofton, Steve Finley, Eric Anthony, Brian Hunter, Daryle Ward -- all highly regarded prospects, none reached their perceived potential over a stretch of time as an Astro (admittedly some, like Anthony, may have been overrated to begin with).
