[ESPN Rumor] Oswalt on trading block

[LonghornFan]

I was just watching baseball tonight and Gammons says his informants have given him information that Oswalt is on the trading block, and it's rumored that the Yankees are VERY interested in talking with the Astros.

This would severely piss me off if true. Anyone heard anything about this?

[Buck Turgidson]

I was just watching baseball tonight and Gammons says his informants have given him information that Oswalt is on the trading block, and it's rumored that the Yankees are VERY interested in talking with the Astros.

This would severely piss me off if true. Anyone heard anything about this?
It is complete b.s.

[DoitDickau]

I hope not.

[Storm Surge]

I'd do oswalt for A-Rod straight up...how sick would this be?

Bourn
Matsui
Tejada
A-Rod
Berkman
Lee
Pence
Towles
Pitcher

We would average 8 runs a game.

[yobod]

Laughable at best. Roy O. has a no-trade clause (which he might waive for the Yankees, but he doesn't seem like the New York type to me). Besides, WHY on Earth would we trade our only legitimate ace?

[Shroopy2]

A rumor with a star player and Yankees as a possible destination, how surprising

[Major Malcontent]

[Eastern Sports and Propaganda Network]- A player who doesn't play in New York or Boston is good...WHY...why would someone who doesn't play in NY or Boston be good.

This flies in the face of all we hold dear. Wait he is off to a slow start, so the fans of that, non East Coast, lesser team...might not burn the stadium to the ground if he got traded to New York. QUICK...post rumor articles saying its a done deal!

[The Cat]

I was just watching baseball tonight and Gammons says his informants have given him information that Oswalt is on the trading block, and it's rumored that the Yankees are VERY interested in talking with the Astros.

This would severely piss me off if true. Anyone heard anything about this?

This has gone on for years. Oswalt to the Mets is an annual rumor at the deadline, perpetuated by the New York media assuming the Astros want to do a firesale and throwing out hypotheticals. Now they've evidently moved on to the Yankees.

[Nick]

On the one hand, given that it would be very tough for the Astros to seriously contend this year, getting a boat-load of young pitchers/position players for Oswalt would be tempting.

On the other hand, its Roy freaking Oswalt... a guy I'd like to be an Astro for life, even if he ends up pitching on some less than stellar teams. Also, I do believe its possible to build around him... and I'd rather they trade Carlos Lee and Valverde in order to get the neccessary prospects back.

[DOMINATOR]

looks like it's a Yankee special tonight on BBTN... wait thats every night.
espn is just mad the young kids arent pitching well.

[VesceySux]

Another year, another rumor about Oswalt being traded to a NY team. Please God, make it stop...

[lalala902102001]

If the Astros don't become competitive soon, Roy will be traded.

[H-townhero]

Um, not happening. Oswalt will be here even if we don't contend. They will have to get more pitching not hitting to contend. We don't want or need A-Rod. He chokes in post season.

[CaseyH]

Why would we trade pitching?

This rumor happens every year.

[macalu]

Roy is the younger generation's Nolan Ryan. Trading Oswalt would seriously depress me.

[Buck Turgidson]

If the Astros don't become competitive soon, Roy will be traded.
You're basing this on what, exactly?

[LonghornFan]

DON'T. SHOOT. THE. MESSENGER. (!) :mad:

[tested911]

Is this a joke? Seriously Trading our only Ace? I get it it's still April

April fools!!

[VesceySux]

If the Astros don't become competitive soon, Roy will be traded.

Hmmmm, let me guess... to the Dodgers? :rolleyes:

[MaxwellsTemper]

I was just watching baseball tonight and Gammons says his informants have given him information that Oswalt is on the trading block, and it's rumored that the Yankees are VERY interested in talking with the Astros.

This would severely piss me off if true. Anyone heard anything about this?
Its a load of BS. MLB has blocked their reporters because of the Tejada thing and now they are reaching for stories.

[A_3PO]

I doubt very much anything happens soon. But when it becomes clear this team is awful and has no real hope of accomplishing anything, the Astros would be foolish not to consider trading him. Their sorry farm system needs help and a king's ransom for Oswalt would go a long way towards fixing that problem. His affordable contract makes Oswalt very attractive to other teams. The only significant player I wouldn't expect to be on the block is Berkman. But maybe if he shoots his mouth off again...

[ryan17wagner]

If the Astros don't become competitive soon, Roy will be traded.


Soon? We're competing now. 4 in a row and going for back 2 back sweeps tomorrow!

[MaxwellsTemper]

I doubt very much anything happens soon. But when it becomes clear this team is awful and has no real hope of accomplishing anything, the Astros would be foolish not to consider trading him. Their sorry farm system needs help and a king's ransom for Oswalt would go a long way towards fixing that problem. His affordable contract makes Oswalt very attractive to other teams. The only significant player I wouldn't expect to be on the block is Berkman. But maybe if he shoots his mouth off again...
His affordable contract is the reason he isn't gonna be moved. Drayton has a top 10 pitcher who is priced at a great salary. Plus, he knows it would be seen as a move indicating the team is "giving up", and he's always going to be a win-now guy who doesn't want that kind of press.

[Cannonball]

You're basing this on what, exactly?

Last year. We sucked, we weren't competitive and as a result, we traded Roy to the Mets in a 3 team trade with the Rangers. Don't you remember?

[solid]

I can't imagine why the Astros would do that when their starting rotation is so thin.

[Nick]

I can't imagine why the Astros would do that when their starting rotation is so thin.

Forget about the fact that Roy Oswalt is involved.

If you have a team with a relatively high payroll that's not really a contender and doesn't have much of a farm system, with zero blue-chip prospects knocking on the door, you're basically stuck in baseball purgatory.

Trading an established star won't make you better right away... but it does give you some additional flexibility currently with the payroll, while adding some pretty good prospects/young established everyday players (which would be the asking price for this established star).

All this being said, I don't want to trade Oswalt. I would, however, trade Carlos Lee in a second if it allowed us to get some young quality pitchers.

[jopatmc]

I doubt very much anything happens soon. But when it becomes clear this team is awful and has no real hope of accomplishing anything, the Astros would be foolish not to consider trading him. Their sorry farm system needs help and a king's ransom for Oswalt would go a long way towards fixing that problem. His affordable contract makes Oswalt very attractive to other teams. The only significant player I wouldn't expect to be on the block is Berkman. But maybe if he shoots his mouth off again...

Get out your asbestos suit, cuz you're gonna get flamed.

[arkoe]

All this being said, I don't want to trade Oswalt. I would, however, trade Carlos Lee in a second if it allowed us to get some young quality pitchers.

Same here. I'd be happy trading anyone on the team that's not Oswalt. The only thing worrisome about Oswalt is him saying in the past he doesn't plan to pitch too far into the future. If that was indeed true, I would consider trading him.

[clutch citizen]

I wouldn't dismiss Oswalt's on the trading block. But the article makes it seem like the Yankees are the ONLY team interested. It just says the Yankees are interested. That doesn't mean Boston, SF, Oakland, etc. are not interested as well.

I think Wade is seeing what he can get for Oswalt. Maybe a bunch of young arms to spread the talent out overall, instead of having just one ace and a bunch of 4th starters.

A trade is highly unlikely since I don't think Wade can get a group of young pitchers. But it doesn't hurt to look.

Just curious...would you trade Roy O. for young pitchers to spread the talent?

[DreamRoxCoogFan]

what? if your team buys you a bulldozer, you are not gonna get traded...

http://houston.astros.mlb.com/images/2005/12/19/fbN66COg.jpg

signed,
http://www.cantstopthebleeding.com/img/mclane-824.jpg

[CometsWin]

If anyone's on the block it should be Lee, Berkman, or Tejada. Trading Oswalt right now would be retarded.

[Major]

If anyone's on the block it should be Lee, Berkman, or Tejada. Trading Oswalt right now would be retarded.

Except Oswalt's the most valuable of the bunch. Around July, when there are a bunch of teams in the playoff hunt, an ace is what those teams want. Hitting is nice - but teams with playoff dreams want an ace in their rotation to carry them. Oswalt would fetch far more than any of the other guys you mentioned.

[CaseyH]

Except Oswalt's the most valuable of the bunch. Around July, when there are a bunch of teams in the playoff hunt, an ace is what those teams want. Hitting is nice - but teams with playoff dreams want an ace in their rotation to carry them. Oswalt would fetch far more than any of the other guys you mentioned.
Its always easier to fit a pitcher in to your team. To trade a position player you have to have somewhat of a hole at a postion they can and are willing to play.

However since Drayton was so attached to Lidge even though he failed so hard, its basically a promise that he will never approve a trade with Roy O.

[Jared Novak]

Its way too early in the season to start talking about who is on the block and who isn't, IMO.

I highly doubt that the Wizard is traded, because Uncle Drayton loves Roy like he loved Bags and Bidge. I agree with CW that if anyone is going to get traded this year it will most likely be Tejada, Villarreal, Lee (if he waives the No-No) and Loretta barring the Astros falling out of contention; Which is at least two and a half months away from being determined.

If the Astros do fall out of contention, if they decide to put up the fire sale sign, they should target prospects that are obviously rated high and that are less than two seasons from contributing. Along with what I think we all hope will be a stellar draft this season and next the Astros could build up their farm system and contend again for the next decade.

I'd much rather the Astros contend this year and we don't have to worry about a fire sale. And for the record if the Astros were to trade Oswalt, they better get a Felix Hernandez, Francisco Liriano, Cole Hamels or young pitcher equivalent to those guys and I doubt that a team will part with such a prospect since good pitching is so scarce.

[Refman]

If the Astros don't become competitive soon, Roy will be traded.
And exactly who would the Astros have pitch every five days...me???...you???

Roy has a no trade clause, and getting rid of him would be to take a shaky rotation and make it easily one of the worst in baseball.

Not only that, but Drayton would be trading one of the "faces" of the franchise.

Not going to happen.

[CometsWin]

Except Oswalt's the most valuable of the bunch. Around July, when there are a bunch of teams in the playoff hunt, an ace is what those teams want. Hitting is nice - but teams with playoff dreams want an ace in their rotation to carry them. Oswalt would fetch far more than any of the other guys you mentioned.


I don't think you really get true value for a pitcher of Oswalt's caliber and contract situation. From a personnel standpoint it'll be easier for the Astros to replace the production from Lee, Berkman, and Tejada than it will be to replace Oswalt. Plus, Lee is overweight and has never shown a desire to get in real shape, Berkman might be on the decline, and Tejada is 2 years older all of a sudden. The money invested in those guys is a huge drain on the payroll and it's likely (perhaps except for Berkman) that all of their best years are behind them. You trade those three hitters, get a couple good prospect arms and a quality prospect position player or two in concert with the high draft picks we'll get from the draft and we're totally retooled to win this division in 2/3 years. We're not going to win this division in the forseeable future with this group. Look at the Diamondbacks. They completely changed their philosophy and they're going to dominate their division for the next 10 years because of it.

[Air Langhi]

I don't think you really get true value for a pitcher of Oswalt's caliber and contract situation. From a personnel standpoint it'll be easier for the Astros to replace the production from Lee, Berkman, and Tejada than it will be to replace Oswalt. Plus, Lee is overweight and has never shown a desire to get in real shape, Berkman might be on the decline, and Tejada is 2 years older all of a sudden. The money invested in those guys is a huge drain on the payroll and it's likely (perhaps except for Berkman) that all of their best years are behind them. You trade those three hitters, get a couple good prospect arms and a quality prospect position player or two in concert with the high draft picks we'll get from the draft and we're totally retooled to win this division in 2/3 years. We're not going to win this division in the forseeable future with this group. Look at the Diamondbacks. They completely changed their philosophy and they're going to dominate their division for the next 10 years because of it.

You always have a chance when you play in the central.

[jopatmc]

Just for kicks.................

What do you think we could get for Oswalt, if say, the teams interested in him got into a bidding war? Teams like the Yankees, Mets, and Red Sox?

[SuperBeeKay]

You always have a chance when you play in the central.
Not with Cubs spending more $$, not with Milwaukeee's endless supply of young players who are good, not with Tony LaRussa being Gm of St Louis.

[superden]

Roy O is the last person on the list to get traded. An amazing pitcher with an even more amazing contract? Nope. This ain't going to happen. Keep dreaming NY.

[Luckyazn]

Why would you trade your ACE?

when you need to build pitching to win





Is easier to replace hitting than pitching

[Raven]

If they trade one stud, they might as well trade them all.

And why wasn't this done in the off season, while his value was highest?

[Cannonball]

And why wasn't this done in the off season, while his value was highest?

If the rumor was real then he would have been. We were expected to be a mediocre team and thus far that's exactly how we've performed. We're not performing below expectations so why would we all of a sudden make changes we weren't willing to make in the offseason?

[Dennis2112]

If you traded Roy, who do you think you are going to get? IF the Astros are out of it and the other teams know it, why would they give a King's ransom for ROY?

There is no magic formula to fixing what Pupura did to this farm system. I have no desire to go back to those days of when McMullen owned the team and trotted out a AAA team because he traded or let go all the high priced players. Those teams were hard to watch and even harder to enjoy. Some of you may not remember those days but I do. Our Current Astros team would destroy those teams. We are not as bad as people think.

Lets stay the course and stop listening to that blowhard Gammons. The next time he is right, will be the first

[MaxwellsTemper]

If you traded Roy, who do you think you are going to get? IF the Astros are out of it and the other teams know it, why would they give a King's ransom for ROY?

There is no magic formula to fixing what Pupura did to this farm system. I have no desire to go back to those days of when McMullen owned the team and trotted out a AAA team because he traded or let go all the high priced players. Those teams were hard to watch and even harder to enjoy. Some of you may not remember those days but I do. Our Current Astros team would destroy those teams. We are not as bad as people think.

Lets stay the course and stop listening to that blowhard Gammons. The next time he is right, will be the first
Exactly. McLane will never do the same (trotting out a AAA team). He knows that doesn't sell tickets.

[justtxyank]

1) Gammons is almost NEVER accurate
2) Roy has a NTC and I'm pretty sure he's said before he doesn't want to pitch in nY hasn't he?
3) If you were to trade him, the Yankees have a lot of talent they could give back.
4) But, the Yankees were unwilling to give up their young talent for Johan Santana, who was younger, better, and left handed. They refused. I don't see why they'd do it for Oswalt now.

[MadMax]

4) But, the Yankees were unwilling to give up their young talent for Johan Santana, who was younger, better, and left handed. They refused. I don't see why they'd do it for Oswalt now.


maybe because now they see how bad their rotation actually does suck? :)

(kidding...i don't think this is gonna happen, either)

[bobrek]

...4) But, the Yankees were unwilling to give up their young talent for Johan Santana, who was younger, better, and left handed. They refused. I don't see why they'd do it for Oswalt now.

They'd do it for Oswalt because of his contract. I suspect they would get as much value for Oswalt as what was being offered for Santana.

[rrj_gamz]

This is all BS and just another ploy by the jerks at ESPN...

[Buck Turgidson]

This is all BS and just another ploy by the jerks at ESPN...
It got started again by a totally speculative blurb by a reporter in NY Newsday 2 days before Granny Gammons's senile throw-sh!t-on-the-wall-and-see-what-sticks ramblings. It is, as I said earlier, complete b.s.

[Aceshigh7]

It's a BS story. But if they did trade Oswalt, I would never go to an Astros game again.

[bobrek]

It's a BS story. But if they did trade Oswalt, I would never go to an Astros game again.

Even if they got (and kept) players of the caliber when they traded Glenn Davis to the Orioles (Harnisch, Schilling, Finley)?

[Beck]

They'd do it for Oswalt because of his contract. I suspect they would get as much value for Oswalt as what was being offered for Santana.

I didn't especially like what the Twins for for Santana.

Phillip Humber - struggling in AAA, and will be 26 at the end of the year. His strikout to innings pitched last year at AAA wasn't great. He's already had Tommy John surgery and had a sore shoulder before the 2007 season. I don't think he ever becomes a #1 starter.

Deolis Guerra - looks great, but he's only pitching in high-A. very promising, but won't be in the majors until late 2009 at the earliest.

Carlos Gomez - he'll be 23 at the end of the year. Has played well at all levels, but doesn't hit for a high average or a lot of power. He does steal a lot of bases. He could develop power as he matures. best of the guys they got.

Kevin Mulvey - Starter with good stuff, but won't be an ace. Low 90s fastball, doesn't K a lot of batters.

The Twins traded the best LH starter in the league, and didn't get the Mets #1 hitting prospect.

[justtxyank]

They'd do it for Oswalt because of his contract. I suspect they would get as much value for Oswalt as what was being offered for Santana.

Maybe, but what they were offering for Johan was Ian Kennedy and Melky Cabrera and some lower level prospects. Ian K would be the best prospect the Astros have had in awhile, but he's not in Roy O's league.

[plee]

The current talk maybe rumor but at some point trading Roy may become a reality. Let's face it, he's not going to pitch forever so if we can get max return for him, he will still be effective otherwise what team would want him, so he will still pitch a few more years after the trade...

[thacabbage]

I think the most compelling reasons to not atleast shop Oswalt would be purely sentimental and from a public relations standpoint. Rationally speaking, while he's still better than 99% of baseball, his best days are behind him. With a team not likely to contend, with no viable prospects in the minors, and some payroll constraints, it would only make sense to try and get a return from your top commodity before the returns diminish. With Santana off the market, and taking Oswalt's contract and big game experience into consideration, one could make the argument that at the deadline, there isn't a single veteran player in baseball who would fetch more in a deal than Roy.

Then again, the flip side is that it's baseball. Any team can get hot at any time and steal a pennant with an underwhelming cast of characters stepping up. Maybe it's our year. Why throw away that chance?

[HAYJON02]

If we made this trade, it'd have to be seen as giving up for the immediate future. By the time the prospects we got mature, our dominant hitters would all be on their last legs. Like Bagwell in '04. Trade everybody or trade no one. Reload or rebuild. As long as we're committed to reloading as we've said during every off-season, we can't trade Roy.

[Supermac34]

[QUOTE=thacabbage]With Santana off the market, and taking Oswalt's contract and big game experience into consideration, one could make the argument that at the deadline, there isn't a single veteran player in baseball who would fetch more in a deal than Roy.

QUOTE]

This is absolutely correct. I can see no other player in baseball being such a hot commodity at the trade deadline. He's got an extremely affordable, long term deal. His best days are most probably behind him.

If you could totally rape somebody's farm system, I'd say do it. BUT, if you do, you might as well trade every other big name player on your roster over the age of 27 or so. Get as much depth and prospective talent as you can, rebuild, and be really good in 2-3 years.

Heck, the Marlins always do this. It has made them be extremely bad some years, but has also brought Championships.

[superden]

http://houston.astros.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080424&content_id=2579533&vkey=news_hou&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou

[xiki]

I was just watching baseball tonight and Gammons says his informants have given him information that Oswalt is on the trading block, and it's rumored that the Yankees are VERY interested in talking with the Astros.

This would severely piss me off if true. Anyone heard anything about this?

I would be disappointed if the Astros didn't 'auction' off Roy O for a great passel of young talent. Can they identify same? That may be the question...

[johnmvp]

Not a chance. I wouldn't expect this to be true in the least.

[Oski2005]

I have a conspiracy theory, does anybody think ESPN is just lashing out after the overwhelmingly negative response people have had over their E:60 Tejada story?

[Joshfast]

Tell Theo you want Clay Buchholz, Jonathan Papelbon, Jacoby Ellsbury, Justin Masterson, Michael Bowden and Jed Lowrie for Roy with a straight face and see what happens Wade.

:cool:

[Jturbofuel]

This coming from the same talking head who said the astros were going to trade Biggio to atl for Naegle in the late 90's. Its bull**** if it were true he wouldnt be the guy reporting it.

[cmpatel]

http://houston.astros.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080424&content_id=2579533&vkey=news_hou&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou


nothing is happening to roy o....espn is just dumb

[Buck Turgidson]

Apparently, Roy & free-agent-to-be CC Sabathia are buddies (link (http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=jp-sabathia042308&prov=yhoo&type=lgns) ), maybe Roy can get CC interested in Houston & talk to Drayton about forking over the cash. We can dream, right?

[Raven Lunatic]

That'd be a great 1-2 punch. CC & Lance can get together and discuss their different Twinkie eating methods.

[Buck Turgidson]

That'd be a great 1-2 punch. CC & Lance can get together and discuss their different Twinkie eating methods.
Between those 2, Papa Grande & Carlos, the postgame spread caterers would be renegitiating their contract post-haste.

[Nick]

Apparently, Roy & free-agent-to-be CC Sabathia are buddies (link (http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=jp-sabathia042308&prov=yhoo&type=lgns) ), maybe Roy can get CC interested in Houston & talk to Drayton about forking over the cash. We can dream, right?

You figured a quiet guy like Roy wouldn't be so chatty... but he's all buddy-buddy with other pitchers now (like Peavy and CC). Apparently, he's quite the socialite.

I don't buy that he wouldn't be interested in pitching for a super-high profile team like NY... but obviously, he'd perfer to stay in Houston.

[Oski2005]

Apparently, Roy & free-agent-to-be CC Sabathia are buddies (link (http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=jp-sabathia042308&prov=yhoo&type=lgns) ), maybe Roy can get CC interested in Houston & talk to Drayton about forking over the cash. We can dream, right?

I think they were both on the 2000 Olympic team, don't know about how he and Peavy became friends.

[magnetik]

how come everytime the Yankees or Cubs want anyone.. there is a mysterious rumour that appears?

[BigM]

I think they were both on the 2000 Olympic team, don't know about how he and Peavy became friends.


i think him and peavy were on the all-star team together and became friends then.

[lalala902102001]

I stand by my prediction that Roy will traded mid-season if the Astros are out of it by then.

I'm not saying that I like it. Knowing the Astros and their current financial situations and their lack of prospects in the farm (compared to a few years ago), I just think this is what they are going to do.

[Jared Novak]

I stand by my prediction that Roy will traded mid-season if the Astros are out of it by then.

I'm not saying that I like it. Knowing the Astros and their current financial situations and their lack of prospects in the farm (compared to a few years ago), I just think this is what they are going to do.

IMO Roy will not get traded if the Astros fall out of contention. The farm system is not as strong as in years past, but there are a few prospects that could contribute in the next couple of years. It also depends on what the Astros do in this draft. If they nab a player that can contribute by season's end or compete for a spot in ST next year that could affect what they do on the trade front. Drayton loves Roy, the city loves Roy and Roy has a great contract for an "ace" pitcher, I can't see the Astros moving their gem of a pitcher when pitching is what they lack.

[Nick]

I'm not saying that I like it. Knowing the Astros and their current financial situations and their lack of prospects in the farm (compared to a few years ago), I just think this is what they are going to do.

What is their "current financial situations" that you speak of? Do you think Drayton is looking to cut salary?

Honestly, this would be a time where I would criticize Drayton for some of the spending. We've over-compensated for the lack of offense by signing Carlos Lee to a contract that he's not really worth, and won't live up to, and then we traded for Tejada.

I could see the team being interested in moving Oswalt for the right price... but even then, it won't be enough to sway Drayton. He's certainly not minding paying Oswalt a bargain compared to what other aces are getting now (same with Lance).

[weslinder]

Peter Gammons is an idiot. That is all.

[Buck Turgidson]

What is their "current financial situations" that you speak of? Do you think Drayton is looking to cut salary?
According to Forbes, the Astros made $20M last season.

[A_3PO]

IMO Roy will not get traded if the Astros fall out of contention. The farm system is not as strong as in years past, but there are a few prospects that could contribute in the next couple of years. It also depends on what the Astros do in this draft. If they nab a player that can contribute by season's end or compete for a spot in ST next year that could affect what they do on the trade front. Drayton loves Roy, the city loves Roy and Roy has a great contract for an "ace" pitcher, I can't see the Astros moving their gem of a pitcher when pitching is what they lack.
Don't know exactly what his sources were, but Palillo on 790 said every major scouting service rated the Astros farm service in the bottom 1/4 of MLB. One even had them dead last. A weak farm system combined with a non-competitive team are the ideal circumstances for trading a player like Oswalt. If the Astros crash this season like most of us expect, Drayton would be crazy not to listen to offers.

[Ron from the G]

Drayton's unwillingness to pay big money is one reason Roy will not be traded. Roy is one of the best deals in all of baseball. We got him signed before the off season which pitchers salaries started going nuts. We are paying peanuts for arguably the best pitcher of the last 5 years and Drayton knows how cheap he got off with the deal they gave Roy.

[MadMax]

Drayton's unwillingness to pay big money.


How do people still believe this?

[mlwoo]

Um, not happening. Oswalt will be here even if we don't contend. They will have to get more pitching not hitting to contend. We don't want or need A-Rod. He chokes in post season.
We don't make postseason.

[Nick]

Drayton knows how cheap he got off with the deal they gave Roy.

You're using hindsight to support your argument... which is ridicuolous.

At the time Roy (and Lance) both signed their contract, they were getting top dollar/the going rate for an ace pitcher and perenial MVP candidate. It just so happened that the year after that, salaries started skyrocketing into oblivion... where average players were getting ace money, and ace pitchers were getting ransoms.

However, none of this was known or expected when Drayton signed them. Hell, several here, and in the media, criticized the length of the deal... stating that we'd be paying Roy $15 million a year when he's past his prime in 5 years. Now, it seems laughable to get a pitcher of his calibur at that rate.

[Zacatecas]

I stand by my prediction that Roy will traded mid-season if the Astros are out of it by then.

I'm not saying that I like it. Knowing the Astros and their current financial situations and their lack of prospects in the farm (compared to a few years ago), I just think this is what they are going to do.


Roy isn't going to get traded! Plain and simple. He is the anchor in the front of the pitching. The only and I repeat ONLY reason he gets traded is if he has arm or health problems. As it stands, Roy is going to be a Cy Young winner at some point. He just needs some motivation behind his team.

He is still totaly capable of getting his ERA under 3.00.

[xiki]

I could see the team being interested in moving Oswalt for the right price... but even then, it won't be enough to sway Drayton. He's certainly not minding paying Oswalt a bargain compared to what other aces are getting now (same with Lance).

IMHO trading Roy O in a deal greater than Santana or Bedard brought back makes great sense to me and is a real possibility to accomplish. It is one which should happen - to build a team which could reasonably contend for 5 years (while wishing it had an ace like Roy O).

[rterry]

IMHO trading Roy O in a deal greater than Santana or Bedard brought back makes great sense to me and is a real possibility to accomplish. It is one which should happen - to build a team which could reasonably contend for 5 years (while wishing it had an ace like Roy O).

No player on any team should be off limits. Not Yao, not Oswalt or Berkman, not Andre Johnson. Sports teams should always listen to offers.

I have been a proponent of shopping Oswalt for 2 years, not because I don't think he is great, but I don't think we can be serious contenders without trading one of our stars and re-building our minor league with top prospects.

Oswalt only pitches every 5 days. If the right offer comes along and Roy agrees with the trade, the Astros should jump on it. They won't though, because Roy is part of Drayton's good ole boy club and he will be an Astro until he retires just like Biggio and Bagwell. Blind loyalty to multi-millionaire baseball players is idiocy. Try and get a loyalty discount the next time a superstar comes up for a contract and see where it gets you.

[johnmvp]

I like A-Rod, great player, would love to have him..but it's a joke to think we would ever get him.

[xiki]

No player on any team should be off limits. Not Yao, not Oswalt or Berkman, not Andre Johnson. Sports teams should always listen to offers.


With respect and fan-fav-dom to Lance Berkman I also think he would be an even greater asset on the market.

IMHO this franchise has to rebuild to contend seriously. Seriously.

[CaseyH]

With respect and fan-fav-dom to Lance Berkman I also think he would be an even greater asset on the market.

IMHO this franchise has to rebuild to contend seriously. Seriously.
rebuild with miggy and lee after this year, not with homegrown players.

also I oppose any rebuilding by trading these assets unless the deal is very very fair.

[xiki]

rebuild with miggy and lee after this year, not with homegrown players.

also I oppose any rebuilding by trading these assets unless the deal is very very fair.

Define 'fair'.

[Jared Novak]

Define 'fair'.

Well what do you consider fair? I would need to get back a Felix Hernandez or Cole Hamels-type pitcher in return for starters as well as a really good position player and a top prospect. Now do you really think we could get that in a deal? Someone posted what to ask the Red Sox for in jest, but I'd seriously need some of those players in order to let go of Roy.

If the Red Sox needed pitching, do you think they'd give up:
Jacoby Elsbury (OF)
Jon Lester (SP) or Clay Buchholz (SP)
Jed Lowrie (SS)

Theres no way they'd do it.

The Mets traded for Santana and didn't even give up their best prospect.

If you traded Roy, you would never get back a "fair" return. Teams are less willing to give up young major league level talent due to escalating salaries. Its much easier to draft and develop than to continue to but free agents.

Regardless of what happens this season, IMHO Roy will not get traded.

[CaseyH]

Define 'fair'.
The rumored Clay Buchholz for Brad lidge deal would have been pretty fair :D

[Refman]

I have been a proponent of shopping Oswalt for 2 years, not because I don't think he is great, but I don't think we can be serious contenders without trading one of our stars and re-building our minor league with top prospects.
You wouldn't be able to rebuild the minor leagues by trading Roy. Roy would bring one, maybe two top level prospects. Even top level prospects sometimes do not pan out. Remember Chris Burke? He was a number 10 overall pick and was highly regarded. He went into tonight's game batting .139.

If the right offer comes along and Roy agrees with the trade, the Astros should jump on it.
You mean an offer that would bring a better return than the Twins got for Santana?

They won't though, because Roy is part of Drayton's good ole boy club and he will be an Astro until he retires just like Biggio and Bagwell.
Yeah...that's it. It couldn't possibly have anything to do with the fact that he sells tickets and merchandise. :rolleyes:

Blind loyalty to multi-millionaire baseball players is idiocy.
It isn't blind loyalty. The guy is a top flight pitcher, and Drayton makes money off of having Roy on the team.

[xiki]

Well what do you consider fair?

The Mets traded for Santana and didn't even give up their best prospect.

If you traded Roy, you would never get back a "fair" return. Teams are less willing to give up young major league level talent due to escalating salaries. Its much easier to draft and develop than to continue to but free agents.



Keep in mind on the mound Bedard < Santana but the contract situation changed that to >. Roy O has the 'favorable' contract situation, thus Roy O > Bedard > Santana as it relates to 'trade value'.

[JunkyardDwg]

It isn't blind loyalty. The guy is a top flight pitcher, and Drayton makes money off of having Roy on the team.


Doesn't it also speak more favorably of the organzation; that they don't just dump players right and left like other teams. Sure players are enticed by the max contracts, but that's not the only thing that factors into their decision to sign with a team. The kind of loyalty the Astros have shown over the years toward guys like Biggio and Bagwell and Oswalt and Berkman I'm sure helps to put fans in the seats, to sell merchandise, to draw other FA to the city, etc.

How is this thread still going?

[msn]

How is this thread still going?
Because people keep posting in it. You just did.

And now I did.

Maybe we should sticky it. :p

[Cannonball]

Because people keep posting in it. You just did.

And now I did.

Maybe we should sticky it. :p

You mean like the Astros/Phillies series thread that's been stickied for 2 weeks? :D

[rocketballin]

How about Roy for Joba, Robinson Cano, and Minor league prospects... That would be cool for the stros imo.... Roy is in his prime, and you want to get premium value before his stock drops.. Although i know how many of you guys have grown sentimentally attached to Oswalt you gotta move on

[DoitDickau]

How about Roy for Joba, Robinson Cano, and Minor league prospects... That would be cool for the stros imo.... Roy is in his prime, and you want to get premium value before his stock drops.. Although i know how many of you guys have grown sentimentally attached to Oswalt you gotta move on

there is zero chance the yankees would do that

[The Cat]

How about Roy for Joba, Robinson Cano, and Minor league prospects... That would be cool for the stros imo.... Roy is in his prime, and you want to get premium value before his stock drops.. Although i know how many of you guys have grown sentimentally attached to Oswalt you gotta move on

If the Astros offered Oswalt and each of their top five prospects, I still don't think that would be enough to get Chamberlain alone -- much less Oswalt by himself for Chamberlain plus one of the best second basemen in the game and prospects on top of it!

Your post is one big problem with dealing Oswalt -- even Santana, who is the best pitcher in the game and miles better than Oswalt and his 5.57 ERA with constantly declining peripherals, couldn't fetch the Mets' top prospect. The PR blow of dealing Oswalt wouldn't even be remotely offset by a big haul of prospects or young talent, because the market dictates that such trades won't happen. It also wouldn't make sense from a baseball perspective if this team can compete in the short-term. Granted, the sample is small, but neither the Cubs nor the Brewers appear to be a 90 win team -- and if not, the Astros can compete.

[Oski2005]

How about Roy for Joba, Robinson Cano, and Minor league prospects... That would be cool for the stros imo.... Roy is in his prime, and you want to get premium value before his stock drops.. Although i know how many of you guys have grown sentimentally attached to Oswalt you gotta move on


WTF are you smoking dude? Joba has never started an MLB game and he hasn't even pitched 40 innings total in his career, plus they wouldn't even give him up for Santana. Cano is hitting .154 right now, he plays 2B, and his contract looks like this [08:$3M, 09:$6M, 10:$9M, 11:$10M, 12:$14M club option ($2M buyout), 13:$15M club] We've got Kaz at 2nd, doing a good job, and he's signed for less years and less money.


Some of you don't even know what rebuilding means. Like CaseyH's idea about rebuilding around Miggy and Carlos Lee, how is that rebuilding? You keep your oldest everyday player and your most expensive one and trade away everybody else?

Our biggest problem is starting pitching. Everybody needs it. The only teams trading it are the ones that can't afford to keep their studs on the cusp of Free Agency. That means they want young talent in return, which we don't have save for Pence. The only way to immediately improve it is to sign one or two via Free Agency. And since Drayton probably doesn't want the payroll to go too far north of 100 million, we'll have to trade Carlos Lee for the 09 season when he starts making $18.5 million per year. We'll probably have to eat some of the contract too.


If you think finding a pitcher next year in Free Agency is completely impossible, then the other option is to trade everybody except for Pence, Towles, and Bourn. It'll take at least 3, more likely 5 years for us to be competitive again.


I would rather keep adding to this team and see what happens, plus actually sign some of our draft picks, slotting system be damned.

[ivanyy2000]

I like A-Rod, great player, would love to have him..but it's a joke to think we would ever get him.

You can have A-Rod and the rights to pay him 28M per for 10 years. I will do the trade in a heartbeat.

[johnmvp]

You have A-Rod then we have a new Texas Rangers. Great hitting, score 10 runs a game but our pitching staff gives up 15 runs a game.

[Major]

You wouldn't be able to rebuild the minor leagues by trading Roy. Roy would bring one, maybe two top level prospects. Even top level prospects sometimes do not pan out. Remember Chris Burke? He was a number 10 overall pick and was highly regarded. He went into tonight's game batting .139.

Depends on the demand. Randy Johnson cost us a few good prospects - and that was for a half-season of a Randy Johnson having a terrible season. With Roy, you get him for a couple of years. To get freaking Victor Zambrano, the Mets traded away super-prospect Scott Kazmir. The Marlins have had an amazing run of trades - Josh Beckett got them Hanley Ramirez and Anibal Sanchez (who looked really good until an arm injury).

But beyond that, if you're going to go this route, you don't just trade Roy. You have to make an all-out commitment - trade Berkman, Lee, Tejada, etc and get a handful of top-level prospects and lots of mid-range prospects, hoping a few pan out. There's no point in trading your ace pitcher but keeping the other components. You choose to either compete 2-4 years down the road, or compete now. If you pick the latter, you keep 'em all. If you choose the former, you try to trade them all.

The idea would be that you get several really good players out of the mix - and have them for 5 years at low cost. And then once they get to the majors, you've cleared $60MM in salary room to go sign a handful of free agents or to keep Pence and others.

[rocketballin]

Miguel Tejada is another player that is an embarresmant.. How can u not look at that over the hill SS and not cringe... Hes the only guy on the Astros i truley despise... He should be the guy u guys are trying to trade.. With all the steroid talk, and his declining play, and his age contraversy, its hard to like a guy like that. I want his ass out of Texas... go back to Baltimore.. Hell, go to Canada, please.

[The Cat]

Miguel Tejada is another player that is an embarresmant.. How can u not look at that over the hill SS and not cringe... Hes the only guy on the Astros i truley despise... He should be the guy u guys are trying to trade.. With all the steroid talk, and his declining play, and his age contraversy, its hard to like a guy like that. I want his ass out of Texas... go back to Baltimore.. Hell, go to Canada, please.

Uhm, Tejada is hitting .349 with a .385 OBP, .965 OPS with 17 extra-base hits in barely over a month. Declining play, over the hill? Have you even watched or looked at a game this entire season?

[Major]

Miguel Tejada is another player that is an embarresmant.. How can u not look at that over the hill SS and not cringe... Hes the only guy on the Astros i truley despise... He should be the guy u guys are trying to trade.. With all the steroid talk, and his declining play, and his age contraversy, its hard to like a guy like that. I want his ass out of Texas... go back to Baltimore.. Hell, go to Canada, please.

Umm, his batting average, on-base %, and slugging % (and thus OPS) right now are all higher than any year in his career. What is the declining play you're referring to?

[Major]

Damn you, The Cat! :)

[Oski2005]

Miguel Tejada is another player that is an embarresmant.. How can u not look at that over the hill SS and not cringe... Hes the only guy on the Astros i truley despise... He should be the guy u guys are trying to trade.. With all the steroid talk, and his declining play, and his age contraversy, its hard to like a guy like that. I want his ass out of Texas... go back to Baltimore.. Hell, go to Canada, please.

Do you actually watch the Astros?

[rocketballin]

Nope they actually bore me... Tejada is just having a good month.. wait till you really need him down the stretch.. CHOKE!!!!

I respect Lance, and Carlos Lee alot more than Tejada. The guy is a cheater.. and loser.. his whole career hes been a loser, and hell always be a loser.

[rocketballin]

Do you actually watch the Astros?

I'd rather watch grass grow than the Astros actually.. I can't see how they can be appealing to anyone outside of Houston. Baseball in general is boring unless it's your team playing, but the Stros take it to a new level. I mean I'd rather watch the Reds, or Brewers, or the CC Hooks play lol than the Stros.. I dunno what franchise I hate more.. The Spurs, Jazz, or Asstros. Its a tossup

[The Cat]

Nope they actually bore me... Tejada is just having a good month.. wait till you really need him down the stretch.. CHOKE!!!!

I respect Lance, and Carlos Lee alot more than Tejada. The guy is a cheater.. and loser.. his whole career hes been a loser, and hell always be a loser.

Tejada was in the pennant race "down the stretch" his last three seasons in Oakland. Here were his September results:

2003: .319 average, .404 OBP, .876 OPS
2002: .313 average, .373 OBP, .888 OPS
2001: .329 average, .429 OBP, 1.000 OPS

Or perhaps you meant down the stretch in games. Here's his close and late performance over recent years:

2008: .333 average, .381 OBP, 1.325 OPS
2007: .282 average, .400 OBP, .837 OPS
2006: .338 average, .421 OBP, .821 OPS
2005: .290 average, .338 OBP, .918 OPS
2004: .321 average, .367 OBP, .891 OPS

What a choker. :rolleyes: You were saying?

[junglerules]

I'd rather watch grass grow than the Astros actually.. I can't see how they can be appealing to anyone outside of Houston. Baseball in general is boring unless it's your team playing, but the Stros take it to a new level. I mean I'd rather watch the Reds, or Brewers, or the CC Hooks play lol than the Stros.. I dunno what franchise I hate more.. The Spurs, Jazz, or Asstros. Its a tossup


Why are you posting in a thread about the Astros then? You are bored by them, and you hate baseball, and you hate them....Don't take this personally, but you are a loser. You know, no offense....

Seriously, discussion and thoughtful dissent is appreciated, or at least respected. But your contribution has been comparable to pet vomit on my apartment floor....We won't be offended if you go away. We will survive somehow, I promise....

[ruddy]

Nope they actually bore me... Tejada is just having a good month.. wait till you really need him down the stretch.. CHOKE!!!!

I respect Lance, and Carlos Lee alot more than Tejada. The guy is a cheater.. and loser.. his whole career hes been a loser, and hell always be a loser.


So then get your butt out of here...

[rocketballin]

Why are you posting in a thread about the Astros then? You are bored by them, and you hate baseball, and you hate them....Don't take this personally, but you are a loser. You know, no offense....

Seriously, discussion and thoughtful dissent is appreciated, or at least respected. But your contribution has been comparable to pet vomit on my apartment floor....We won't be offended if you go away. We will survive somehow, I promise....


I dont hate baseball.. Im just annoyed by the Astros... I compare them to the Spurs of baseball... Go around Texas and all u get is AHoles who love the Spurs.. Same ***** with the Astros... Its like they are Texas' adopted baseball team.. LIke hey I live in Texas let me just choose the team who always wins..Spurs fan mentallity... So you guys are kinda like Spurs fans if you think about it.. Its just a different sport.. only difference is the Championships lol...

Loser?? You dont even know me personally.. So how can you even say something like that :rolleyes:

Atleast we all have something in Common, and thats why this website even exsists.. The Houston Rockets.. Live and Die with them through thick and through thin.. and well I'm not going away so sorry.

[bobrek]

I dont hate baseball.. Im just annoyed by the Astros... I compare them to the Spurs of baseball... Go around Texas and all u get is AHoles who love the Spurs.. Same ***** with the Astros... Its like they are Texas' adopted baseball team.. LIke hey I live in Texas let me just choose the team who always wins..Spurs fan mentallity... So you guys are kinda like Spurs fans if you think about it.. Its just a different sport.. only difference is the Championships lol....

So did you just write that folks who love the Astros are "Aholes"?

I am personally offended by that and I suspect a lot (notice my correct usage of "a lot") of other folks are as well.

[Hmm]

I dont hate baseball.. Im just annoyed by the Astros... I compare them to the Spurs of baseball... Go around Texas and all u get is AHoles who love the Spurs.. Same ***** with the Astros... Its like they are Texas' adopted baseball team.. LIke hey I live in Texas let me just choose the team who always wins..Spurs fan mentallity... So you guys are kinda like Spurs fans if you think about it.. Its just a different sport.. only difference is the Championships lol...

Loser?? You dont even know me personally.. So how can you even say something like that :rolleyes:

Atleast we all have something in Common, and thats why this website even exsists.. The Houston Rockets.. Live and Die with them through thick and through thin.. and well I'm not going away so sorry.


or maybe.. they(those outside of Houston, in Texas) like the Astros.. because they have more history than the only other professional baseball team in the state..?

[Hmm]

in other words.. your analogy sux ^

[Oski2005]

I dont hate baseball.. Im just annoyed by the Astros... I compare them to the Spurs of baseball... Go around Texas and all u get is AHoles who love the Spurs.. Same ***** with the Astros... Its like they are Texas' adopted baseball team.. LIke hey I live in Texas let me just choose the team who always wins..Spurs fan mentallity... So you guys are kinda like Spurs fans if you think about it.. Its just a different sport.. only difference is the Championships lol...

Loser?? You dont even know me personally.. So how can you even say something like that :rolleyes:

Atleast we all have something in Common, and thats why this website even exsists.. The Houston Rockets.. Live and Die with them through thick and through thin.. and well I'm not going away so sorry.


Still making no sense. How are we like people from all over Texas that jump on the Spurs bandwagon when we are all most likely HOUSTONIANS in here? You can go back to sniffing glue, we won't miss you.

[msn]

I'd rather watch grass grow than the Astros actually.. I can't see how they can be appealing to anyone outside of Houston. Baseball in general is boring unless it's your team playing, but the Stros take it to a new level. I mean I'd rather watch the Reds, or Brewers, or the CC Hooks play lol than the Stros.. I dunno what franchise I hate more.. The Spurs, Jazz, or Asstros. Its a tossup
(warning: tongue-in-cheek post follows)

WHOAWHOAWHOA-fricken-WHOA there: You just lumped the Astros in with the Jazz?????

The damned &*@*#$*@ JAZZHOLES??????

Sure the Astros have sucked since 2006. Sure, some folks may not prefer baseball to other sports which seem to have a quicker pace. But you crossed the line buddy. The JAZZ??? I think I speak for every fan of Houston sports when I say to you:

KISS MY HOUSTONIAN ASS. :p

[Refman]

I dont hate baseball.. Im just annoyed by the Astros... I compare them to the Spurs of baseball... Go around Texas and all u get is AHoles who love the Spurs.. Same ***** with the Astros... Its like they are Texas' adopted baseball team.. LIke hey I live in Texas let me just choose the team who always wins..Spurs fan mentallity... So you guys are kinda like Spurs fans if you think about it.. Its just a different sport.. only difference is the Championships lol...

Loser?? You dont even know me personally.. So how can you even say something like that :rolleyes:

Atleast we all have something in Common, and thats why this website even exsists.. The Houston Rockets.. Live and Die with them through thick and through thin.. and well I'm not going away so sorry.
Posting about how much you hate the Astros in a thread about the team makes you a....

TROLL!!!!!!!!!!!

[Shroopy2]

Whats up with these "Baseball-is-Boring" terds thats always like to speak up? You always seem them

Not just having little interest in baseball's enough. They have to put everyone else on blast for liking it and act all high and mighty about having "other" interests. I dont get it :confused:

[dandorotik]

Whats up with these "Baseball-is-Boring" terds thats always like to speak up? You always seem them

Not just having little interest in baseball's enough. They have to put everyone else on blast for liking it and act all high and mighty about having "other" interests. I dont get it :confused:

Exactly. I used to be one of these turds. Then I grew up. Baseball, football, basketball, and hockey are all great in their own way. I mean, I really enjoy the strategy in baseball, appreciate watching a pitcher dominate the opposition (unless it's against us), and understand how difficult it is to hit a 90+ MPH baseball safely.

If anything, I don't get how so many can feel that football is far and away the best sport to watch. I like it, don't get me wrong, but it gets an inordinate amount of press and popularity, to me.

Now, basketball, that's a whole 'nother thing.

[rocketballin]

So did you just write that folks who love the Astros are "Aholes"?

I am personally offended by that and I suspect a lot (notice my correct usage of "a lot") of other folks are as well.

Actually I'm referring A-Holes to bandwagoners in general. And Another thing.. I never said I didn't like baseball. I love watching games.. just not the Astros. I'm not even gonna say who my team is anymore cus all I do is get blasted haha.. Astros are a good team, they just don't appeal to me. But thats just all they are.. a good team. Maybe one day you'll have your title. but It isnt with this group of guys.. Sorry.

btw are you some kind of english teacher or something??

[rocketballin]

Anyway, I'm fighting a battle I can't win. But atleast I have the balls to express myself on this board. I knew I'd get bashed.... Like I havent seen you all do it to other people.. F*** I just find it hard root for the Astros.. So sorry... In a perfect world, I would be an Astros fan and a Texans fan too..that would be the trifecta.. but I guess all is not right with the world. I'm not a houstonian so my teams may not coordinate with the city but atleast one does. Anyway you have no idea how hard it is to be the only Fing Rockets fan where I live.. I live in Spurs country :mad: ... I have no one to talk Rockets ball with.. Anyway Just wanted to say sorry if I got to anyone.. which I know I did. My apologies.

[bobrek]

Actually I'm referring A-Holes to bandwagoners in general. And Another thing.. I never said I didn't like baseball. I love watching games.. just not the Astros. I'm not even gonna say who my team is anymore cus all I do is get blasted haha.. Astros are a good team, they just don't appeal to me. But thats just all they are.. a good team. Maybe one day you'll have your title. but It isnt with this group of guys.. Sorry.

btw are you some kind of english teacher or something??

I am not an English teacher. I just find it hard to believe that so many people don't know simple things like how to spell "a lot".

Also, since you don't like the Astros, it would be wise for you to stay out of discussions involving the Astros if your only purpose is trolling. If you have something intelligent to add to a discussion, fine, otherwise if you are going to call people "aholes", you will get flamed and possibly banned.

[Castor27]

Also, since you don't like the Astros, it would be wise for you to stay out of discussions involving the Astros if your only purpose is trolling. If you have something intelligent to add to a discussion, fine, otherwise if you are going to call people "aholes", you will get flamed and possibly banned.


Agreed