Odds and Ends: Bass, Astros, Beltre, Marlins

That LaRussa article is good stuff. I agree with what he has to say, and think the Cards need to show their fans that they care and go get an impact free agent. Maybe Hudson or Burnett...a front 3 of Carpenter, Wainwright, and Burnett would be pretty sick.

How the hell does a Major League team only draw 600 fans? I know it's hot in Florida and all, but goddamn, it's hot in Dallas and the Rangers have to got to be pulling in at least twice that.

Um…Colonel Tim, I hope you’re not suggesting that Wade would have been better served holding on to Brad Lidge. Granted, Lidge has seen a resurgence in his career since being traded to the Phillies, but I think most Astros fans will agree with me when I say that his time in Houston was done-for. Numbers wise, yes, Lidge is indisputably having a better year than Valverde. But Jose is none the less holding his own, plus he brings a lot of life to the bullpen and energy to the mound that we didn’t have with Brad. It is widely accepted by many Astros fans that he wouldn’t be doing as good as he is now if it weren’t for the change of scenery he received when he was sent packing to Phillie. Even though I’m a huge Lidge fan, and he still remains my favorite relief pitcher, I’ll take the animated Valverde blowing a few saves a season any day over watching Brad-the-bad-Lidge do his patented post-Pujols panic squat (as a hanging slider is sent into orbit).

The 600 fans isn't as big a deal as you'd think. Paid attendance was over 11,000.

The Marlins have a terrible stadium lease. The Miami Dolphins get all the profits from concession sales at Marlins games, so, actual attendance really doesn't matter to the Marlins until they get a new stadium.

I would gladly take Lidge back as an Astro if he could repeat that great 2005 performance. Or even better yet, this season's performance. The simple fact is this: he was not going to have that same sucess in an Astros uniform again. So I'll take the next best thing, which is what we got in Valverde.

Yeah, 600 fans sucks. It creates horrible publicity.

But over 11,000 fans paid for tickets. The Marlins get that money whether they use the tickets or not. The Marlins stadium lease sucks, so they don't get any additional money if the fans show up. If it was any other team, yeah, 600 fans would be horrendous as there would be no one buying peanuts and crackerjacks, so there would be a lot of money lost. But it makes no difference to the Marlins.

600 fans is horrific.
no offence to the marlins fans, but theyre a disgrace to the MLB.

I wonder if the Marlins and the Diamondbacks could hook up this offseason.

Maybe 2B Dan Uggla and C Mike Rabelo for P Micah Owings, C Miguel Montero and 3B Jamie D'Antona? Owings stock is down this year but has potential, Montero could start behind the plate for the Marlins and D'Antona could compete with McPherson at third base with Cantu sliding over to play second base. Rabelo could replace Montero as the backup in Arizona and Uggla would fill a big hole at second base, while giving the Diamondbacks a much needed bat. The Marlins also get to unload one of their arbitration cases, and Owings might free them up to deal Olsen in another trade (thus getting rid of yet another arbitration case).

C'mon Devlsh. Dan Uggla is maybe the 2nd best 2nd baseman in the game. He's a STUD! Yes Owings will become a Red this winter.