Spotrac is showing the Astros payroll at 80m. That's counting the Fister signing, and it's 8th lowest in MLB. Don't know where Mctaggert gets 100, unless arbitration players are going to cost that.
I like this signing. If Fister and Feldman are healthy and return to form (or just one of them for the majority of the season), I think we'll get similar production to what Kazmir would've given us. Will be interesting to compare their seasons after this upcoming year. We'll then know whether the Astros made the right decision to let Kazmir go. In my view, Luhnow must think the Fister signing (and possible upside of Feldman) is = if not > than the contract/value for Kazmir.
Castro is guaranteed at least $5M, Gattis $3M. That is almost $90M total to 15 players. Including the remaining 10 Active Roster spots, that are guaranteed to total over $5M. Add in another approximate $1M to cover the remaining 40-man roster. I see about to $95M in opening day payroll.
Approximately $100,000,000 ..... although I can all but guarantee you it will be over $100,000,000 after the trade deadline (assuming we are playoff bound).
It is pretty close. Players going on the DL or being released leading to more 40-man guys getting their MLB salaries, Gattis/Castro getting their proposals, and Fister possibly hitting his incentives would be enough to push us north of $100M even without additional acquisitions.
They have more talent than a dozen-plus of the teams who are spending more money, isn't that all that matters?
Sure... But theoretically, if they spend at the average level now (as opposed to when the talent dries up and they are 'chasing it'), they could further the talent gap and maximize their chances to win. They may win as is... But nothing wrong with people wanting them to spend what their market dictates.
But spending just to spend is stupid Spending on a mediocre 1B would up the payroll, but not likely improve us and block the chance to find out if the young guys can do it I know you understand this, but some don't. They just see the payroll number and say "cheap"....which is stupid
Nobody should be saying spend just to spend... Just like nobody should also be saying that since they have cheap talent, it's ok that they maintain a bottom 5 payroll. It works both ways. In the end, they do have room to raise the payroll (based on market size and revenues), so they really shouldn't be penny pinching when it comes to early extensions and filling areas of needs (which they haven't really been victims of yet).
