ESPN Insider: FAs Astros interested in (Rumors)

[nWo34Life]

This is from ESPN Insider:

WHO INTERESTED THE SKINNY

Randy Winn
Mariners

Astros?

Jan. 11 - Having lost Carlos Beltran, the Astros could look to acquire Randy Winn from the Mariners, according to multiple reports. However, the Houston Chronicle suggests the team might choose to go with younger players rather than dealing prospects for a journeyman like Winn.


Mike Cameron
Mets

Diamondbacks
A's
Astros

Jan. 11 - Add the Astros to the list of teams said to be interested in prying Cameron away from the Mets now that he has been displaced in center field by Carlos Beltran. The Houston Chronicle floated Houston as a possibility one day after the East Valley Tribune reported the Diamondbacks and A's are interested.
Cameron, who has two years and about $15 million remaining on his three-year, $19 million deal, underwent left wrist surgery Dec. 17 and might be out until May, the N.Y. Post reports. "We needed to get it done," said Cameron. "There's nothing I can do with it. I've been a pretty good healer, so we'll see what happens."

Danny Bautista
Diamondbacks

Marlins
Red Sox
Devil Rays
Astros?

Jan. 11 - Tampa Bay has a contract offer on the table for Bautista believed to be for one year at $1.75 million, reports the Tampa Tribune. But the Astros could swoop in and nab the former D-Backs outfielder to rebuild depth in the wake of Carlos Beltran's defection and Lance Berkman's offseason knee injury.

Jose Cruz Jr.
Devil Rays

Astros

Jan. 11 - Cruz has been mentioned as one of many possible targets for the Astros, who lost Carlos Beltran in free agency. However, the Tampa Tribune indicates the Devil Rays wouldn't be willing to part with him unless they received another starting-caliber outfielder and a pitching prospect in return.

Darren Oliver
Astros

Rockies

Jan. 11 - The Rockies, seeking rotation depth, intensified negotiations Monday with Darren Oliver, the Denver Post reports. Oliver led the Rockies with 13 victories in 2003 and is prepared to return on a nonguaranteed contract if the team allows him to become a free agent at the end of spring training if he fails to make the club. "We will pick up talks again," agent Jeff Frye told the newspaper.

Dan Miceli
Astros

Yomimuri Giants

Jan. 11 - Reliever Dan Miceli will pitch in Japan next season, agreeing to a one-year contract with the Yomiuri Giants. The deal was thought to be worth $1.7 million, but team officials could not confirm the monetary details.

The right-hander went 6-6 with two saves and a 3.59 ERA for the Astros last year. Miceli, who is expected to be the Giants' closer, is 41-48 with 35 saves and a 4.47 ERA over 12 major league seasons.

Sammy Sosa
Cubs

Mets
Orioles
Nationals
Royals
Astros?

Jan. 10 - The Cubs still want to trade Sammy Sosa. According to the Chicago Tribune, GM Jim Hendry and Mets GM Omar Minaya recently discussed a Sosa deal, but talks were put on hold while Minaya chased Beltran.

Any deal depends on how much of Sosa's salary the Cubs are willing to eat. Sosa is due to earn $17 million next year with a team option for 2006 at $18 million or a $4.5 million buyout. However, a trade would trigger the 2006 option and add a 2007 option for $19 million with another $4.5 million buyout. Sosa and his agent want to void the trigger clause.

In an ideal world, the Tribune reports that Sosa would go to the Mets for Chicago-area native Cliff Floyd, who would play left field. The Cubs would pursue White Sox free agent Magglio Ordonez to play right. They also have checked into the cost of free agent Jeromy Burnitz, who would provide a left-handed bat.

[NJRocket]

Miceli signed with Japan - i guess he figured there were no more important games to blow in houston

Let the Cubs choke on Sosa

the rest of that list comprises the worst plan B in the history of Plan B's

[Another Brother]

Sammy a 'Stro? Say it ain't so!

[Phillyrocket]

Miceli? Oliver? Sammy freaking Sosa!!!?? Ughhhhh.....

[ArtV]

Hey - I'd take Corky if they pay half his salary, before I'd take Dan back.

[NJRocket]

Dan signed for 2 million with Yomuri

[leroy420]

Originally posted by Phillyrocket
Miceli? Oliver? Sammy freaking Sosa!!!?? Ughhhhh.....

For Miceli and Oliver, it was simply listing their last MLB team.

Don't worry. Miceli is in Japan and Oliver will go back to Colorado. Sosa will not be an Astro. I would have said go after Mike Cameron before learning of his wrist surgery. Not being back until May doesn't help stem the tide until Berkman comes back in May.

[Stack24]

I think they just know that we need everything so they put us on each and everyones list lol.

[RareAir]

if those are the Plan B options......????

[isoman2kx]

Originally posted by RareAir
if those are the Plan B options......????


on to plan c!

[ths balla]

i wouldnt mind sosa if they pay most of his salray i mean the guy destroys balls at minute maid

[bigboymumu]

Originally posted by isoman2kx
on to plan c!
:D

[mj10501]

if we made plan a happen, we wouldnt have to put up with this plan b...i'll take sammy though... HAHA jk

[Uprising]

wow....2.5 years and that's your first post? I just reached 8,000.

I would go and get Sammy if the Cubbies paid a HUGE chunk of his salary.

[Refman]

I personally would go after Winn and Soriano (but only if we could give them somebody other than Backe...Redding perhaps?).

I also would inquire about signing Shawn Estes.

[RocketFan007]

originally posted by Refman
I personally would go after Winn and Soriano (but only if we could give them somebody other than Backe...Redding perhaps?).

Insider reported today they wanted Burke and either Backe or Esquiel Astacio(probably our top pitching prospect). I doubt they'd want anything to do with Redding.

[Refman]

Originally posted by RocketFan007
Insider reported today they wanted Burke and either Backe or Esquiel Astacio(probably our top pitching prospect). I doubt they'd want anything to do with Redding.
They need pitching, period. Instead of Backe, they may be willing to take Redding and Munro.

[arkoe]

Refman, long time no see.

[Refman]

Originally posted by arkoe
Refman, long time no see.
Good to see you too arkoe.

I have been around. Just a lot more quiet since work keeps me quite busy. :)

[RocketFan007]

originally posted by Refman
They need pitching, period. Instead of Backe, they may be willing to take Redding and Munro.

I can't believe they would trade a solid run producer with great speed for two garbage pitchers, no matter how much he strikes out, how poor he is defensively, and how desperate they are for pitching.

[DVauthrin]

Originally posted by RocketFan007
I can't believe they would trade a solid run producer with great speed for two garbage pitchers, no matter how much he strikes out, how poor he is defensively, and how desperate they are for pitching.

They'll have no choice if they really want Delgado that badly. The Astros would be idiots to part with Burke and Backe or Astacio for Soriano and a deal shouldn't be hatched unless the Rangers come down on their demand. Burke and Redding is more than fair to them considering Soriano's price tag and the cost of Burke for 5-6 more years. If the Rangers don't back down, look elsewhere, it's that simple.

[rrj_gamz]

Cameron would be a nice addition as we need a bat and would solve the CF problem we have...coming off wrist surgery is not that big a deal as Kend did the same thing...

[NJRocket]

Originally posted by rrj_gamz
Cameron would be a nice addition as we need a bat and would solve the CF problem we have...coming off wrist surgery is not that big a deal as Kend did the same thing...

you want a bat? go to Academy...they have great deals this time of year

you want a hitter? pass on Cameron..comparing him coming off of wrist surgery to Kent is a terrible comparison...Kent is 10 times the hitter/run producer that Cameron is

[MadMax]

Burnitz would be perfect...











FOR ME TO POOP ON!!!!!

[Joe Joe]

Originally posted by MadMax
Burnitz would be perfect...FOR ME TO POOP ON!!!!!

Triumph?

[MadMax]

Originally posted by Joe Joe
Triumph?

yes. of course! :D

[bigboymumu]

Originally posted by MadMax
yes. of course! :D

Drop those little kids off.

Burnitz in CF on this team is a joke. I feel sorry for our pitchers. I thought our defense su%^%^ last year...

This team will lead the league in strike outs. .. Not our pitchers, our hitters!

[Aceshigh7]

Originally posted by bigboymumu
Drop those little kids off.

Burnitz in CF on this team is a joke. I feel sorry for our pitchers. I thought our defense su%^%^ last year...

This team will lead the league in strike outs. .. Not our pitchers, our hitters!

Have you actually seen Burnitz play center field? He's actually quite a good fielder. I know he has the stocky power hitter body type but he has good fielding instincts.

[bigboymumu]

Originally posted by Aceshigh7
Have you actually seen Burnitz play center field? He's actually quite a good fielder. I know he has the stocky power hitter body type but he has good fielding instincts.

Ya ok? Compared to Biggio? This team is a joke.

[NewRoxFan]

Originally posted by Aceshigh7
Have you actually seen Burnitz play center field? He's actually quite a good fielder. I know he has the stocky power hitter body type but he has good fielding instincts.

Unfortuately, even his agent seemed to do a poor job selling his defensive skills as a centerfielder...

"He was very proud of the fact he has the capability to play center field," Simon said. "He may not be as good in center field as some of the pure center fielders, but everybody who's seen him patrol center field in Coors is convinced he does at least, if not better than, an adequate job."

Gee... "he does at least, if not better than an adequate job." That guy should be in product marketing...

[Aceshigh7]

Originally posted by NewRoxFan
Unfortuately, even his agent seemed to do a poor job selling his defensive skills as a centerfielder...

"He was very proud of the fact he has the capability to play center field," Simon said. "He may not be as good in center field as some of the pure center fielders, but everybody who's seen him patrol center field in Coors is convinced he does at least, if not better than, an adequate job."

Gee... "he does at least, if not better than an adequate job." That guy should be in product marketing...

LOL, you're right that is funny.

[DVauthrin]

Originally posted by Aceshigh7
Have you actually seen Burnitz play center field? He's actually quite a good fielder. I know he has the stocky power hitter body type but he has good fielding instincts.

Why are people so down on Burnitz is what I don't understand. This team is not nearly as bad as people in here make it out to be, though it's not as good as last year with Beltran. Jeromy Burnitz has been a major league starter for 8 years now, in 6 of those years, he had an OPS of .800 or higher. That is solid. The only two places he didn't were the Mets and Dodgers, both of whom have extreme pitchers parks. And in his second tour of duty at Shea(Mets) he had a .925 OPS in 65 games. He also is lefthanded, can play all 3 OF spots and is from the area. At 3-4 mil a year for 1/2 years, he is a good value signing for the organization. The road splits from anyone who plays at Coors are skewed anyways, as Rockie hitters tend to pick up bad habits like swinging for the fences even more so than normal. And Burnitz has a track record of success besides last year going for him. Furthermore, MMP is nothing like Dodger Stadium and Shea for hitters, not even close. Here are his stats btw:

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/stats?statsId=5061

Of course the first part of the season without Lance will be rough offensively, but there isn't really a good way to replace someone like that ever. Overall though once Lance returns the lineup really isn't that bad. I like everett in the two hole because it creates a better overall lineup imho.

1. Biggio
2. Everett
3. Bagwell
4. Berkman
5. Burnitz/Lane
6. Burnitz/Lane
7. Ensberg/Lamb
8. Ausmus

However, at the beginning of the year I'd go with Biggio-Everett-Bagwell-Burnitz-Ensberg-Lane-Burke-Ausmus ordering the 4-6 spots based on who is hot at the time. Lastly, a pitching staff of either of these isn't chopped liver either:

A) Clemens-Oswalt-Pettitte-Backe-Buckholz/Hernandez/Redding
B) Oswalt-Pettitte-Backe-Redding/Hernandez/Buckholz filling the last two spots with Astacio and Duckworth as outside possibilities.

I don't think it's that cut and dry as far as clemens returning hinged on Beltran. He stands to make quite a bit of money in arbitration and he knows the team needs him more than ever now. However, there is still talent on this team to be a playoff contender with or without him(the Astros have had success with far less talent then they have now in the past) and if they can get one good setup man to go with qualls-wheeler-harville and lidge, the pen looks ok. Plus as Purpura said, in midseason they would have tons of flexibility and approval to add pieces if they were in the race(I'd be shocked if they aren't honestly).

In Conclusion signing Burnitz to a reasonable deal is a solid starting move for 2005.

[Groogrux]

Originally posted by bigboymumu
Ya ok? Compared to Biggio? This team is a joke.

A pitch hasn't even been thrown yet. Save the melodrama for April. :)

[MadMax]

Originally posted by Rocketman95
A pitch hasn't even been thrown yet. Save the melodrama for April. :)

oh, no. you didn't hear?? yeah, the astros cancelled the season. they heard that a few people here didn't give them a chance to finish about .500 next season, so they just said, "forget it."

[LonghornFan]

No more Bautista, as he signed on with the Devil Rays.

[isoman2kx]

Originally posted by MadMax
oh, no. you didn't hear?? yeah, the astros cancelled the season. they heard that a few people here didn't give them a chance to finish about .500 next season, so they just said, "forget it."

*laughs furiously in mock scorn at the doubters*


PLAYOFFS

ya hearD?!

[CAKoudelka]

However, there is still talent on this team to be a playoff contender with or without him

I am not so sure about this, I mean, do you even have a clue if Andy is coming along well ?? Does anyone have any info on that, last I read he was just starting to throw. You are also hoping that Backe has an entire season that looked like his playoff starts. After that, as far as pitching is concerned right now, you dont have much, except for minor league pitchers.

Lets also talk about Defense, cause as it stands, we stink. Jeff Bagwell can only make one throw, and thats back to the pitcher. We have no clue what will happen at second, Burke is a rookie and is expected to take some time to learn. The left side of the infield actually isnt bad, Adam along with Mike or Morgan works, but, the problem with them is they do go light in the bat.

The outfield is the biggest question mark right now. My grandma can run on Biggio, plus, sometimes he looks like a deer in the headlights while trying to field a pop fly. I love Craig, but he isnt an outfielder, especially not at 38, the Astros are very lucky that he will basically do as they ask. Now comes the great part, with Berkman gone for gawd knows how long, we are gonna feel it. Lance made some plays, but, we are gonna miss his bat, his switch hitting bat. If we do get Burnitz, I honestly dont know what to think, I know he swings for the fences pretty much every time up, I know he strikes out a good bit, and I know he is 35, MMP aint no punk in center, and with Tal's Hill out there, he better have his dancing shoes ready. Now we get to Lane, we know he has potential, but we also thought Ward and Elarton were untradable, but, we all saw how that worked out. I hope Jason can hit most of all, whatever we get in the OF from him I will take. Gawd forbid we have anymore injuries out there.

I just dont see playoff run, def not without Clemens, and honestly, even with him, we are asking a lot of a team that no longer has Jeff Kent or Carlos Beltran. I mean, I just dont see how you expect two rookies, and Burnitz to match what Beltran and Kent were doing, seriously. I see more question marks about this team than anything else.

We have no clue how Andy is gonna look, we have no clue if Backe can control his emotions and be effective all year long. We have no clue if Burke and Lane can be productive on off and def in the bigs, and we have a rag tag outfield right now without Berkman and Beltran. Before I forget, Bagwell and Biggio did also get a year older.

We had a great top of the lineup last year with Biggio, Beltran, Bagwell, Berkman and Kent, we lost three of those guys, with Berkman being out for a portion of the season, I just think its gonna be tough to match the output of those three by plugging in Burnitz (assuming we acquire him), Lane and Burke, sorry man, I just dont see it. I think we are gonna scuffle along all year. I mean, our team last year struggled for 65% of the season to win games, and you are telling me without Kent, Beltran, and with Berkman hurt we are gonn make a run for the playoffs ? And thats assuming we get Clemens back.

And lastly, our bullpen LOL, I mean that really was our weakest link last year. Lidge is obviously lights out, its gonna be a sad day when his contract runs out. After Brad, we have a bunch of guys that are great at serving up late inning, tie breaking homeruns.

I mean, where did we get better than what we had last season ?

[BSW]

Originally posted by LonghornFan
No more Bautista, as he signed on with the Devil Rays.

Hope he has fun playing in the other juice box.