 |
|
|
| |
« MLBTR Live Chat | Main | Mets Moves: Valentin, Armas, Spivey, Nieve »
Astros Acquire Jeff Keppinger
According to John Fay of the Cincinnati Enquirer, the Astros acquired out of options infielder Jeff Keppinger from the Reds for a player to be named later. Looks like Keppinger will be Houston's third base addition. MLB.com's Alyson Footer says he'll complement Geoff Blum at the hot corner and also play the middle infield positions. Hal McCoy of the Dayton Daily News says the minor leaguer the Reds will receive must be chosen by May 1st.
Keppinger, 29 in April, hit .266/.310/.346 in 502 plate appearances last year while playing all around the infield (mostly shortstop).
Comments
Verify your Comment
Previewing your Comment
This is only a preview. Your comment has not yet been posted.
As a final step before posting your comment, enter the letters and numbers you see in the image below. This prevents automated programs from posting comments.
Having trouble reading this image? View an alternate.
Top Stories
Search MLBTR
MLBTR Features
Recent Posts
Rumors By Team
Monthly Archives
Live Chats
Tuesdays at 2 p.m. CST
yuck.
Posted by: kct003 | March 31, 2009 at 03:33 PM
Very underwhelming consider there were more interesting options out there, but I suppose it's better than having Blum as our full-time 3B.
Posted by: ARusonis | March 31, 2009 at 03:33 PM
good luck to kepp but i like the move. reds needed to open the door for janish or rosales instead of keppinger blocking one of them from making the roster. he never seemed the same since the broken knee cap
Posted by: redsfan | March 31, 2009 at 03:34 PM
I was really hoping for Dallas. All that power at Minute Maid. Would have been nice.
Posted by: kct003 | March 31, 2009 at 03:34 PM
I think this is a better move than many astro fans may think. Gives them another super sub along with Blum.
Posted by: whitesoxfan424 | March 31, 2009 at 03:39 PM
He's probably just a stopgag until they can get something more permanent.
Anything is an upgrade over Blum.
Posted by: venn177 | March 31, 2009 at 03:42 PM
It's not like they gave up anything important for him.
Posted by: venn177 | March 31, 2009 at 03:43 PM
I agree Sox Fan. He is a above avg, but not quite great super sub. though. Is anyone having a hard time following the link? I can't get anything to come out. Does it say anything about the parameters of the deal?
Posted by: AstrosCoverage.blogspot.com | March 31, 2009 at 03:44 PM
No, Uncle Drayton will be happy with this move and will consider the situation resolved. The only other move that might be made at third is bringing up Chris Johnson later in the year if he is tearing it up in AAA and our two "big leaguers" are doing terrible.
Posted by: kct003 | March 31, 2009 at 03:46 PM
I think this is as good a move as any, and better than some others. Keppinger has played well at 3B, and his splits make him an excellent candidate as a platoon mate to Blum.
Most of my "Astros Buddies" concur insofar as I've seen on the boards.
Posted by: _sturt_ | March 31, 2009 at 04:11 PM
McPherson would've been a great move, but I think this is still solid.
Keppinger posted a pretty low .275 BABIP last season, but in 2007 he was actually a really, really good hitter.
His defense at third has been solid, so I think that overall he's surely worth a look, much more so than Geoff Blum.
He really profiles much better on the bench, but he's better than any of Houston's internal options.
Posted by: scribbletone | March 31, 2009 at 04:39 PM
keppingers a rally killer he grounds into too many double plays and he has no range on defense
Posted by: redsfan | March 31, 2009 at 04:39 PM
Look at Keppingers splits, both last year and career. That is why he was brought in. He will play against lefties, and his history suggests he should do great.
Posted by: seanbergmanrules | March 31, 2009 at 04:41 PM
I remember him with the mets. He may not be much with the glove, but he can hit.
Posted by: maristmetsfan | March 31, 2009 at 05:14 PM
"keppingers a rally killer he grounds into too many double plays and he has no range on defense "
haha you forgot we had tejada, who led the majors in dps. On a positive note though in case no one noticed, He doesn't walk a ton true, but he had the best strikeout ratio in the majors with 1 strikeout per 20 abs. So I kinda like that.
Posted by: tmengd | March 31, 2009 at 06:06 PM
I like the signing, overall. Obviously Blum will be platooning with Kepp who will hit the lefties. At least, that's my impression at the moment. The only way it changes is if Blum gets hurt/sucks it up like the prom date whore after half a bottle of 20/20. Kepp really does have some good stuff even though his numbers haven't shown it really this spring, I imagine it will only be shown with legit playing time, which is a good possibility with the holes in the infield. I would def. keep an eye out on him being 3B1 at some point, with Blum serving the hot corner on Tejada's day off/Blum at 3Rd if Kaz gets hurt. This really gave the 'Stros some insurance at 3 positions as opposed to one like everyone is thinking. I'm pretty happy, in general, with the signing. I still haven't heard the specific parameters of the deal though, except for the "player to be named" thing.
Also, Kep grounded into 14 DP's last year which was tied for like 14th in the NL. He was only 18 less than Tejada. Just sayin. Not pretty, but not as bad as Miggy.
Just my two cents.
Posted by: AstrosCoverage.blogspot.com | March 31, 2009 at 07:49 PM
as an astros fan, i think this is better than what i thought at first. he hits lefties pretty well. blum is just not that good. he has spurts against righthanders though.
Posted by: stephen | March 31, 2009 at 08:18 PM
Keppinger is a good guy to have around for injuries and pinch hitting or batting against lefties. I am happy for him. He should get playing time with the Astros. I always thought he was one of those guys that was all about team too. Going to be weird when Cicncy and the Astros play this year seeing him on another team. Good luck Kepp. You held the fort down for us for a while hope you can do the same for the Astros.
Posted by: JayTheRed | April 01, 2009 at 12:19 AM