ASTROS CONTINUE BARGAIN SHOPPING
Written by H5AB, Friday December 17 2010
BY RANDY BYERS / HOUSTON5ABASEBALL.COM
Within the last month the Houston Astros officially announced they were for sale, traded for a light hitting SS, Clint Barmes who hit 237 for the Rockies in 2010 (something they have plenty of), and now they have signed Bill Hall.
Hall, a second baseman by trade hit 18 HR and drove in 46 RBI in 2010 for the Boston Redsox. He is a versitile player who can play nearly all infield positions and even some outfield but a source inside the Astros has indicated Hall will likely play second base.
The inherant problem here is the Astros already have Jeff Keppinger on the roster. Keppinger hit 288/6/59 for the Astros in 2010 and while doesn't possess the power of Hall, he handles the bat much better and is a wash in the field with Hall.
So why sign Hall?
Good question! Since 2007, nobody has been able to figure out the Astros and many of their moves although most appear to be financial. The only real thing hall brings to the table that Keppinger doesn't is power. In 984 career games Hall has produced 425 RBI. In 487 career games Keppinger has produced 180 RBI. But, does Keppinger handle the bat better than Hall who has a lifetime AVG of 250 vs Keppinger's 281.
Hall sports 3140 career at bats while Keppinger has accumulated just over half that number with 1695 career at bats.
This is likely a gamble by Ed Wade, Astros GM, that Hall will break out in a bigger way than Wade's first free agent aquisition at second base, Kaz Matsui who they paid $5,000,000 in 2010 not to play.
So is this a move for depth? Doubtful. It is has already been speculated by many writers that Keppinger is on the way out. So is it financial? Not likely as Hall will likely make twice that of Keppinger in 2011. So anyone thinking they have the Astros front office figured out; you are back to square one.
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