Morgan Ensberg designated for assingment

[tony2sweet]

Morgan Ensberg has been designated for assigmnet by the Astros. They now have 10 days to trade or release him as the Astros have already stated they will not expect him to accept a minor league assignment. This is according to the Houston Astros offcial website.

 

I guess this makes sense, since they just acquired Ty from the D-rays. Maybe the Brewers could give Ensberg a look, it should cost little to nothing to acquire him. He would be a nice back-up for third and first for us.

[MoneyballMan]

Weren't the Yankees taking a look at him?

 

If he was someone we could pick up after rosters expand that may be one thing, but I'm not sure who you'd release or send down to make room for him now.

[jlau20]

Yeah, I'm not sure we have room for Ensberg, especially the way his year is going.

 

I was somewhat surprised to see him getting DFA'd, being a slightly bigger name and all, but with Wiggington going to Houston, I suppose it makes sense.

 

Granted, he was really only decent from '03-'05, with I think it was like 35 HR's in '05. Still a little surprising for me, since I guess I haven't really followed him ever, I still thought he was a somewhat decent player.

[brettac1]

He was good last year, too, he had over 100 walks.

[razzzorsharp]

Any chance he has some OF experience in his past history? I wouldnt think it would be much of a reach for a 3B to go to a RF/LF spot. His arm has gotta be plus as well as his reactions.

[sbrylski]

I'd take him on as a replacement for Mench. Ensberg is a lefty killer and a high OBP guy.

[Phenomenal Smith]

He needs to find a team that will let him have his approach to the plate without whining that he needs to be "aggressive". The Astros never really liked Ensberg's patience, even when it was working in 2003, 2005, and early 2006.

[mothershipconnection]

Somebody will trade for him. The guy has been above average for the previous 2 years. They may not get much, but I'd be shocked if they don't get a return.

[dadofandrew]

At $4.35M, he may well go unclaimed and untraded. There will be plenty of interest in him for $320K, however.

[bklynbrewcrew]

I believe he was teammates with Jenkins at USC. Maybe Jenkins can convince him to come aboard to platoon with him. Anything to get rid of Mench.

[homer]

Mench vs. lefties this year: .325/.350/.556

Mench vs lefties career: .307/.363/.562

 

He is not a problem at all if he's used correctly.

[dadofandrew]

Homer, this is not the place to bring out facts.

 

If Ensberg hits lefties that well, he does truly mash them. However, it's unlikely he can play LF and RF at at average level that quickly.

[dadofandrew]

Mench vs. lefties this year: .325/.350/.556

Mench vs lefties career: .307/.363/.562

 

Ensberg versus LHP '07: .330/.459, 789

Ensberg versus LHP career: .407/.528, 935

 

Morgan can be used in the same breath as Kevin, but I'd only see him as a reserve, maybe giving Prince a day off once or twice a month, as Braun hits LHP just like Mench and Ensberg.

 

It's astounding how many people do not value the fact Mench hits LHP at a 925 clip. We need more splits like that, not fewer.

[PeaveyFury]

Homer, this is not the place to bring out facts.

 

I'm not sure why that backhanded slap was necessary at all.

[dadofandrew]

Peavey, that's called humor. It's a fact that no one uses facts, just incorrect nuggets of info. Mench has a stellar OPS versus LHP, so he needs to be replaced? What?

[gbpacker40]

Ensberg pre-Braun at 3rd wouldve been a decent option, compared to Counsell, but post-Braun, pass.

[PeaveyFury]

Peavey, that's called humor.

 

Ah. Then I hope you'll forgive me for missing the humor in something as unfunny and condescending as that.

[brewers19]

It's a fact that no one uses facts, just incorrect nuggets of info.

 

That's not humor, Al. That's an unfair and impolite generalization that you're making about everyone (except for yourself, of course) on this board.

[Never Outhustled]

As we've seen this year, players with extreme splits aren't nearly as useful as they used to be, because starting pitchers pitch so few innings. You can start your lefty masher against lefties, but the lefty only pitches 2/3 of the game, and the extreme splits player is forced to take important ABs against pitchers who can easily exploit him. I was a big fan of platooning entering the season, but that has lost some of its luster with me.

[homer]

X,

But I would be fine with Mench getting 2/3 of his ABs against lefites. The problem is that Yost plays 'hot hand' and starts him against righties too. Also Yost rarely if ever pinch hits the other side of the platoon in late innings. I realize his hands are ties sometimes, but not all the time.