Yikes not a good day. You lost a year of development on potentially 3 good prospects. Oh well, at least we get the number two pick I guess. I have extremely low standards now for the Astros. I see the direction that they're heading, but it could definitely blow up in their face and turn us into the new KC Royals. As endlessly discussed, Crane looks at the Astros as a business investment instead of a ball club. He can hide behind the statement that he will pay for free agents once we get talent on the team, but IMO it's just BS that the fans will buy into just because we are desperate for the old days.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>I don't understand how Houston was so worried about his elbow that they'd rather blow up their draft than pay $6.5M, but were okay with $5M.</p>— Rany Jazayerli (@jazayerli) <a href="https://twitter.com/jazayerli/statuses/490249558991982593">July 18, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Such a dumb comment. It's the risk-reward of Aiken PLUS Nix/Marshall versus the reward of the #2 overall pick plus whatever else we get next year with the huge pool.
Because the Astros were willing to take the risk on Aiken if they also got Nix and Marshall OVER the #2 pick next season..... but were not willing to take the risk on Aiken if they didn't get Marshall.......... was it the right decision? I don't know, but people are purposely being obtuse.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en data-scribe-reduced-action-queue="><p>Similar situation in '13 with Marlins. Didn't like Matt Krook MRI. Offered 40% to keep draft pick. He rejected, went to Oregon. Elbow blew.</p>— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) <a href="https://twitter.com/JeffPassan/statuses/490250470930141184">July 18, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
How much more risky is Aiken now vs before the MRI? Nobody knows the answer to that... But the Astros decided he wasn't the "one" regardless. It's not being obtuse. It's venting that they fail to sign a number one pick because they weren't going to be able to use their pool money "strategy".
What do you have to do to make an agent, with $5+ million on the line, not even answer the phone? What if the best prospect next year has this agent? We've burned this bridge, and I'm sure many other agents took notice, for $1.5 million.
Wait, didn't Pass an call this a "disaster" for the team? Why point out a similar case where the team was right to be worried? Consistency in your arguments is the key, man.
so to clarify, we get the 1.2 pick next year in addition to our first round pick earned by another pathetic season or in lieu of??
How worried should we be about Nix filing a grievance against the Astros, which could result in us losing a top 5 pick next year? <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Yes. Nix has a very good case. “<a href="https://twitter.com/goonshiredgoons">@goonshiredgoons</a>: <a href="https://twitter.com/keithlaw">@keithlaw</a> So now begin the grievances, yes?”</p>— keithlaw (@keithlaw) <a href="https://twitter.com/keithlaw/statuses/490252039885029376">July 18, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
We'll have two top 5 picks. And a huge pool to spend it, although 1.2 will most likely be full slot since we have no leverage to negotiate it.
Drayton and co. played the sign ability game in the draft for years. Hell, Luhnow does a version of that now to use extra slot money. It's a concern if agents want full slots.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Jeff Luhnow:"It's a 1 year delay in acquiring new talent.It's very possible next year when we use those resources, they'll be college(more)</p>— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarkBermanFox26/statuses/490256161132666881">July 18, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Jeff Luhnow: "players that will beat those high school players 2 the big leagues anyway.It's not a clear-cut case that we've lost anything"</p>— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) <a href="https://twitter.com/MarkBermanFox26/statuses/490256333174611968">July 18, 2014</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>