You know, as much random hate as Pena has gotten this season, I guess we should put it in context. Pena is hitting .239 with a .670 OPS, IMO largely due to getting jerked around in the lineup instead of staying in the 2 hole where he's best. Correa is hitting .225 with a .691 OPS while getting paid 32 million dollars for just this season. Springer is hitting .247 with a .696 OPS while costing his team 25 million dollars for just this season.
Actually they priced themselves out of the Astros plans. The Astros did not offer either of them what they had earned based on history and their market value. They made Jim Crane and the Astros millions upon millions of dollars while getting paid pennies on the dollar. Then when they got into a position to actually make what they were worth, the Astros decided to choose cheaper players instead. Alls fair in love and Baseball. It was a smart choice and the right one to continue winning. Just not one based on loyalty or appreciation for what they did for the team. The system is just broken.
Wish him the best of luck. He helped bring the first championship home through his play and also through calling out management and pushing them to make the jv trade post regular trade deadline
The system isn't broken. Crane offered them the going rate but not a 10 year deal. They took the money and good for them. Obviously Crane made the right call. Loyalty? Lmao, These guys are loyal to the dollar and nothing else. I believe in being loyal to the name on the front of the jersey, not the back of it. If I was Crane I would make an exception for Tucker.
You are correct of course. I'm just saying that players have ZERO security and stars play years for pennies on the dollar based on their production. They get paid in the hundreds of thousands but makes their teams millions. They pay their dues and then want what the market says they are worth and have earned. We know this because they get it from other teams. But this owner says, "No. I will just continue to use players up when they are cheap but it's not good business to pay more than they are worth on the back end." Again that's smart, but players earn pennies for years hoping to get to a place they can earn what they are worth and so many owners only care about not paying a dime more than they will produce in the future while pocketing the profits of the past.
Truth is Crane made a very wise decision not to re-sign these guys. Signing guys to 10 year deals is the quickest way to destroy what Luhnow built
Just remember, for every player that signs his huge contract, there were 27+ teams that said no thanks. Lots of people cite $10M/WAR as the market rate, but that is not to be confused with the "good value" rate. They aren't the same. We're no longer in the steroid era where dudes can just play like machines into their mid-30s. Most dudes are beyond their peak once they hit free agency
Aa I said it was very smart. My problem is with the system. Players get paid peanuts and make their owners and teams millions of dollars then when they finally pay their dues and want to get paid for what they have done, owners say "no thanks. We will replace you with cheap players again." There should be a pay for production system where younger players make what they are worth but that would require the tenured veterans to accept reduction and/or limits so it will never happen.
For sure, one of my all time favorites to watch when he was on his prime and on. Just a guy that was elite at locating, and getting the most out of his stuff. Unfortunate he didn’t sustain long term success, but his time in Houston should be celebrated and remembered when he’s done.
"Peanuts"? A large majority of them are making millions in their ARB yrs. I would hardly call that "peanuts".
On the broadcast last weekend, they were asking fans which was their favorite playoff series with NYY: 2017, 2021, or 2022…uhhh hellloooooo what about the 2015 playoff game where Kid Kuechy SHOVED
I am sure someone will claim Ramon Laureano, but I would not mind adding him to the Astros. He is a good fielder, with a very good arm and when he is hot, he is a solid bat. Overall has been a very overrated player - why WAR isn't an end all/be all measure for players up the middle - but still a good player to have as a 4th outfielder, and like Murphy, I expect him to play better away from Oakland.
Aa I said it was very smart. My problem is with the system. Players get paid peanuts and make their owners and teams millions of dollars then when they finally pay their dues and want to get paid for what they have done, owners say "no thanks. We will replace you with cheap players again." Peanuts compared to what they make their owners. Peanuts compared to what other players with more service time make even if they aren't as good. Peanuts compared to what they could make if they were not endentured for their 1st 6 seasons. Carlos Correa made $22,044,677 in his 6 1/2 controllable seasons in Houston then signed a contract for $35M per season. In those 6 1/2 years, he had 34.1 bWAR. That's $637K per WAR. They also included 6 seasons in the playoffs, 4 ALCS appearances, 3 World Series appearances and 1 win. How much money did he make Jim Crane and the Astros? How much would he have made those years if he was free to negotiate his salary?
