[Chron] Astros interested in outfielder Gary Matthews Jr.

Assuming his contract = his value. With so few quality FAs out there the FAs are likely to cash some inflated checks.

 

I'd be in favor of getting Matthews. Anything to remove 1 of our weakest hitters in the lineup would be a plus.

 

At this point, Biggio or Burke is still a better option at leadoff than Willy Taveras (albeit they're both below average as well).

You can't steal first base.

 

Not sure about this move, but to me it seems nothing more than letting it be known that the Stros' are serious about up grading...

 

Oh thats cold true but cold

 

You must be thinking of someone else.

He's not a prospect and hasn't even been on the Rangers for "years."

 

Yuck. That would be a disappointing offseason.

Give me Carlos Lee or Soriano.

I'd rather have Ensberg or Lamb at 3rd than Ramirez.

 

Maybe we are going after Soriano to play left and lead off, then bring in Matthews to play center for about $4 million per. Then trade Willy T., Hirsch, and one of the minor league outfield prospects to Florida for Dontrelle. Then re-sign Pettitte. Then sign Bengie Molina and trade Ausmus to San Diego along with Matt Albers for that relief pitcher.

Soriano
Matthews, Jr.
Berkman
Ensberg
Scott
Molina
Burke
Everett

Good D especially up the middle, Good base stealing, Very tough hitters at the top, and only one definite out in Everett.

Roy O
Dontrelle
Pettitte
whoever
whoever

 

No way. Im with you on getting Soriano but that dude wants a Carlos Beltran contract. Matthews and Ramirez would make this offense alot better. Plus there is no way in the world you take Ensberg over Ramirez.

 

I sure would. Ramirez makes 4 times as much as Ensberg, and he is definitely not 4 times better than Ensberg. Ramirez had a career year last year. Ensberg had a better year than Ramirez in 05.

Third base is not really our need. Ensberg and/or Lamb can give us the offensive production we need there. We have really got to get Lee or Soriano and some pitching.

 

Matthews is going to want way more than $4 million per year.

With Ausmus winning the Gold Glove and the chance that Clemens and Pettitte might come back, Ausmus will be Astros' backstop again this year.

 

Yea But Ramirez has hit 30+ homers in 3 straight seasons and this season he hit 38 homers, drove in 119 and only struckout 63 times. It may be a long shot on landing him but if it comes down to who's a better player then its no contest. Plus Ramirez is only 28.

 

Okay. If they sign Carlos Lee & a decent starting pitcher, I don't have a problem with picking up Ramirez too. But, if Ramirez and Mathews is it for us, that is not going to help us much. Ramirez may be better than what we have at third, but not by that much. Third base is not a pressing need for us.

 

outfield (not as much as the rest)
short
second
catcher
pitching


those are the spots that need attention . . . 3rd base is not one of them.

Gary can bring some speed and some bat. If we are trading players away for pitching, he could be a good stopgap that's not too much $$$$. The more people the stros look at the better in my book (as long as they fit somewhere on the list above).

 

If we go after Soriano, it'll be to play SS. Then we would trade Everett, maybe in the Florida trade for Dontrelle. That would greatly improve our hitting with little to no decrease in our defense.

 

You must have lost your mind somewhere. Soriano can't even play 2nd base very well so there is no way he can play SS. If we do get Soriano, he will be in the outfield.

 

You joking?? I can't even imagine Soriano at SS. The guy led the league in errors at second base for something like 2 or 3 consecutive years. He makes A-Rod look brilliant at third base with his ridiculous throws.

Soriano plays the outfield permanently from here on out. That man should never step onto the diamond again for defensive purposes.