Wednesday, July 12, 2006

Huff-ing (and other moves by the 'Stros)

Chron.com: Astros deal prospects for D-Rays' Huff

The Astros shook up the roster Wednesday, acquiring outfielder/corner infielder Aubrey Huff from the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. They also demoted slumping outfielder Jason Lane to Class AAA Round Rock.

“Huff brings to our club a polished, veteran professional hitter, something that we’ve been looking for, for a long, long time,” said general manager Tim Purpura. “The beauty of Huff is that he plays first, he plays third and he plays the outfield."

I really like this. We get a proven hitter in Huff who tends to play stronger in the second half and back up Berkman in the lineup. Odds are he'll split time between the outfield and third base unless Morgan Ensberg can get his stuff together and start producing with the wood again.

Let's just hope it doesn't take him long to adjust to wearing an Astros uni.

As far as sending Jason Lane down, well, it was needed.

Astros.com: Astros name Berry interim hitting coach

The Houston Astros announced today that the club has named Sean Berry interim hitting coach. Berry replaces Gary Gaetti, who has been relieved of his duties. The announcement was made by general manager Tim Purpura.

Berry was in his second year in the role of Minor League hitting coordinator for the Houston organization. He spent the previous two seasons (2003-04) on the coaching staff at Double-A Round Rock

This has got to be a good move considering some of the guys haven't been able to hit their way out of a wet paper bag lately.

I really can't say too much on this subject, so I'll just point you to the writeup on blogHOUSTON about it.

Technorati Tags: , , , , , (Cross-posted at Through our eyes)

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