I hope this big $$$ deal does not ruin Happ ... Astros, Happ agree to terms on one-year contract Stephen Goff, Houston Astros Examiner January 17, 2012 The Astros and left-hander J.A. Happ avoided arbitration on Tuesday by agreeing to terms on a one-year, $2.35 million contract. General manager Jeff Luhnow made the announcement. It marks a $1.876 million raise for the lefty, who entered this offseason as an arbitration-eligible player for the first time in his career. The 29-year-old Happ posted a 6-15 record with a 5.35 ERA and 1.54 WHIP over 156 1/3 innings in 28 starts for Houston last season. He went 4-14 with a 6.26 ERA over his first 22 starts and led the NL in losses prior to being optioned to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Aug. 6. Happ bounced back with a stellar 1.50 ERA over three starts at Oklahoma City and was recalled by the Astros nearly three weeks later. The southpaw responded by going 2-1 with a 2.43 ERA in six starts down the stretch to regain momentum heading into the offseason. He'll likely enter Spring Training next month with a spot in the starting rotation behind Brett Myers, Wandy Rodriguez and Bud Norris. The Astros acquired Happ via trade from Philadelphia on July 29, 2010 as part of the deal that sent ace Roy Oswalt to the Phillies. He's compiled a 25-24 record with a 4.00 ERA over 445 1/3 innings in 88 appearances (72 starts) over five major league seasons.
Don't know whether to cheer, boo, cry, or yawn for this move.....just a sad way to leave the NL making blah moves.
You just hope he is somewhere in between the 1st-half-Happ and the 2nd-half-Happ. Though, closer to the latter would be nice. Plus, for that price, I'm fine with it...especially on a 1-yr deal.
Pitchers are capable of thowing up terrible years out of nowhere. Overacheived prior to lat year, and underachieved this season. Probably somewhere in between, but one bad year shouldn't be enough to render a verdict. I'm OK with this considering how low of a risk it is.
Don't have a big problem with the deal. Obviously the $2 million is in hopes that Happ returns to form somewhat.
Hopefully he has a great first half and some playoff contender gets greedy and overspends. This will not happen, but we can hope. And lol, I've never though he looked weird.....until now
Nolan Ryan went 8-16, but led the league in ERA and wasn't worth $1 million to McMullen. J.A. Happ goes 6-15 and had an ERA over 5 and gets a raise to $2.35 million. How the times have changed over 20-25 years.
