WTF?!?! Astros Sign Brad Arnsberg

I just read on the Sportsnet ticker that the Houston Astros have plucked Brad Arnsberg from the Blue Jays.

What a terrible decision for the Blue Jays to allow this to happen. Arnsberg, now the former pitching coach of the Blue Jays,  was one of the few reasons why the Blue Jays won as many games as they did.

I give him credit for singlehandedly transforming the Jays’ pitching staff from unknown to good. He developed the Jys’ young arms and made them into serviceable Major League pitchers.

Do you think anybody would have heard of Jesse Litsch, Shawn Marcum, Mark Rzepczynski, Scott Richmond, or Robert Ray if it wasn’t for the efforts of Arnsberg?

Unlikely.

The Blue Jays have replaced Arnsberg by promoting Bruce Walton. He will have his hands full this coming season with a lot of young arms coming up and the possibility of no Doc Halladay.

I know I haven’t blogged in a long, long time, but I could not let this issue pass without it being discussed. Arnsberg will be successful wherever he goes and Houston is lucky to have him.

Just like the Jays when Arnsberg came in, the Astros have some questions in their rotation. Under the tutelage of Arnsberg, there is no doubt the Astros will be a better pitching team led by Arnsberg’s new Roy – Roy Oswalt.

On behalf of Jays fans everywhere, good luck Brad, and thanks for everything you have done in Toronto.