You forgot Uncle Dreighton McLain. I personally blame the ingrates. If I were Dreighton McLain, I'd lower the payroll to $20 million to show what an owner who doesn't do his best to make his team better despite not being a high-market team is really like.
Roger's thinking... "It would be a shame for all of that Beltran money to go to waste." or "Doesn't Drayton HAVE to bring me back?" or "What did Michael Jordan make in his last year?" or "I really want to retire. But if the offer was ridiculous..."
You guys have to believe their was some tongue and cheek in that number. Let's look at it - he is number 22 and wants $22 milion - huh? He had to submit something today so I am guessing that the sides will get together before arbitration. Either they will or he is not coming back. Granted he can ask for whatever, cause if he doesn't like it he can retire............. Talk about holding all the cards. If it goes to arbritation he either gets 13.5 or 22 million, no in between number - interesting.
second question....once he enters arbitration, does he HAVE to sign once the hearing is over...or can he say....I dont like the decision, im retiring.
I am for boycotting home games. Mclane obviously is too busy counting his profits. Stick to groceries old man. Another season wrecked.
I think he's only worth it if he can bring that money back in. We probably lost about 5 games in the standings with the loss of Beltran. If we lose Clemens I think that is another 7 games.
it's always McLane's fault. wait..is this the Texans, Astros, Comets forum?? it is?? then yeah..it's McLane in here. it's his fault. even when nothing has happened!
That's just what the initial offer is, just like I'm sure Roger won't get $22 million, I'm sure he'll get more than that. Considering what other pitchers got and what Roger did, I'm sure the arbitrator will come in at least $17 million.
The arbitrator must decide between the two figures - there can be no middle ground or any other modification. http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/spo/mlbpa/mlbpa_cba.pdf
If there is no middle ground, then it would make sense that Roger would put up a high number and figure that if he gets it, fine...if not, he retires.
Yep, baseball arbitration's been that way for awhile now. Interesting way to do things, makes 1 side happy anyway.
unless he's setting up a negotiation. come on...no way he's getting the $22 million. there's no history that would justify an arbitrator awarding $22 million to any pitcher in the league.
i didn't remember that...but now that you say it, i remember what happened in the Kile arbitration and hearing this before. been a while. interesting compared to other arbitrations i've participated in which felt like a "split the baby" approach.
I haven't really decided on who is most to blame, but I don't think we can really argue against the fact that the Astros have had one hideously bad offseason to date as a follow up to one of the most exciting closes to a season in franchise history. They lost Beltran (pure PAIN), Kent (OK, expected) and Miller (WTF?) for nothing and have acquired no one. Losing Carlos was just flat out painful for a Houston fan. I hope they have a Les Alexander-style "SPLASH" coming up.
Okay, I didn't know that's how arbitration workedn either. I still think the Astros offer is just as low as Roger's is high.