Time to start looking at next year's free agents who could potentially be traded in-season. Or, we could just be happy with the team we've got. But that's no fun!
Good. Would have been a big mistake to part with Lidge and either Lane or Willy T for Tejada. I'm pretty happy with the offense we have, expecially if Bagwell can be productive. Now we just have to sign another starting pitcher since the Stros botched the Clemens situation.
Why do you consider the Astros NOT committing 20+ million to a player through arbitration as "botching" it? Had they offered Clemens arbitration, they would theoretically have to put the 20 million on the books unless he declined. While it is "virtual" money until a deal is actually signed, they still have to proceed as if it was real. More than likely, Wilson would not have been an option. It also (perhaps) would have precluded them from making other potential deals. Last year a number of fans were complaining because Beltran held them hostage. Had they made the arbitration offer to Clemens, it would have been a similar situation. Since Clemens told the world he would not make a decision until February he forced the Astros hand. Clemens had a phenomenal year but he showed his age in September and in game one of the World Series. He was the highest paid pitcher (player?) in the league last year so it's not like the Astros "owed" him a reward contract. Clemens would have started 2006 as the Astros third starter (albeit, if healthy, a very good third starter). He still may sign with them, but to say the Astros "bothced" the situation is disingenuous at best.
No, I don't consider allocating 20 million for the best pitcher in the game too much, if you're serious about winning. Alot of you are forgetting that our pitching is what got us to the World Series. And losing Clemens weakens our pitching substantially. You're telling me the Astros couldn't have signed Wilson for 4 million had they signed Clemens for 20? Sorry, but thats BS. And your analogy to Beltran's situation is just wrong.
Actually, commiting around $20 mil to ANY player is too much. I mean, A-Rod signed a deal that's worth about $20 mil per(take into account devalued defered money) and has been hearing about it ever since. Even though he's won a couple of MVPs, a perennial top 3-5 player, AND still fairly young. And before you mention his post-season failures, might I add that Clemens has been very underwhelming in his Astros post-season starts. And Clemens has the added liability, compared to A-Rod, of being over 40 and being a pitcher who can't pitch deep into games. $20 mil is A LOT OF money money for one baseball player.
