They're budgeting for 2009...not just looking out past that. They're worried about uncertainty for this coming season. It's easy to say, "it's just $10 million." But that's 1/10th of the payroll they're shooting for, in and of itself.
source [rquoter] Astros sign Brocail to one-year deal Right-handed pitcher returns for fourth season with club HOUSTON -- The Houston Astros announced today that the club has signed right-handed pitcher Doug Brocail to a one-year, $2.5-million contract, plus incentives. The deal also includes a club option for 2010 worth $2.85 million, plus incentives, with a provision that allows the club to buy out the option at $250,000. The announcement was made by general manager Ed Wade. "We're very pleased to have Doug back for 2009," said Wade. "We had certain expectations when we signed Doug a year ago, and he met or exceeded every one of them. His presence on the mound, in the bullpen and in the clubhouse exudes professionalism and the competitive fire that championship teams need." Brocail, 41, was 7-5 with a 3.93 ERA (30ER/68.2IP) in a career-high 72 relief appearances with Houston in 2008. His 64 strikeouts last season were his most since a career-high 78 in 1999. Brocail held right-handed hitters to a .200 (31-for-155) batting average, which ranked as the sixth-lowest in the National League in 2008 (min. 150 AB). The 14-season veteran is 51-48 with a 3.99 ERA (382ER/862.1IP) and nine saves in 606 career games. In 131 relief appearances during three seasons with Houston (1995-96, 2008), Brocail was 14-14 with a 4.21 ERA (93ER/199IP). [/rquoter]
With what the ticket prices are in the new park, they may be afraid nobody will be left that can afford to buy them.
Article I read said both baseball teams and both football teams are opening brand new parks in 2009....and competing for smaller discretionary funds.
1560 just said the Astros have called a 10:30 press conference... Me thinks it's to announce the Hampy signing, hope it's something more
November's already gone, dude. That is plenty of time to trade for Peavy, sign Sabathia, and raise Koufax from the dead. Wade is just sitting around getting wider, just like Poopoora.
I get that... I just don't want to hear Uncle D get up there and tell us this move, coupled with bringing Brocail back, gets us a closer to a championship in 2009. I understand part of their job is to sell tickets while peddling hope for the upcoming year, but don't insult our intelligence. I'm actually encouraged with the Braves getting Vasquez, that takes them out of the Peavy picturel. I'd be ticked if the Orioles took some of the quasi-prospects we sent them the Pads to facilitate a three-way deal between the Cubs-Pads-O's.
the braves getting vasquez does not take them out of the peavy picture. they're rolling into the winter meetings targeting peavy or burnett.
I know it's not the most credible sources, but both ESPN.com and MLB.com seem to think that the Braves are out of the Peavy Sweepstakes: http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3740201 With obvious holes in the rotation, Braves general manager Frank Wren has said he hopes to add two starting pitchers this winter. Atlanta pursued Padres ace Jake Peavy before Wren said last month "we have moved on and shifted our focus" after San Diego didn't agree to what he called "a strong package of players." MLB.com video: http://mlb.mlb.com/media/video.jsp?mid=200812023699875
From Astros.com Hampton set to formalize his return to Astros Having agreed to a deal with the Astros and taken a physical and MRI on Tuesday, Mike Hampton will be introduced today at a 10:30 CT news conference.
Hampton is one of the few players with more health issues than Backe the last few years. He might be better when he starts, but the chances of him getting more than 60 innings or so is pretty low.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Hampton Just some of the craziness... Hampton did not contribute nearly as much in 2005 as he was limited heavily by injuries. He went 5–3 in twelve starts, but was lost for the rest of the season with an elbow injury on August 19, 2005. Hampton had Tommy John surgery on September 25, 2005 and missed the entire 2006 season rehabbing. The Braves were hoping for Hampton to be ready to rejoin the rotation in time for the start of the 2007 season. The rehab was on schedule until Hampton tore his oblique muscle on March 7, 2007, which was to sideline him until at least May. Soon after, the Braves signed Mark Redman to be a left-handed starting pitcher for them in case Hampton was not able to return to action soon. After Hampton threw a bullpen session on April 8, the Braves shut Hampton down due to recurring elbow pain and said that he would see Dr. David Altchek, who had performed his Tommy John surgery in 2005. The next day, it was announced after having another left elbow procedure, that Hampton would miss the entire 2007 season. Hampton began a rehab assignment on November 22, 2007 for Navojoa of the Mexican Winter League. In the first inning, he attempted to make a play on a comebacker and left during warmups before the second inning, feeling discomfort in his hamstring. The rest of his rehab was left in doubt. However, Hampton reported to "Camp Roger" on time in late January. He threw off the mound for Bobby Cox and Roger McDowell, both of whom were impressed with Hampton's steady progress. Hampton arrived a day before pitchers and catchers were due to report at Lake Buena Vista. He ran sprints and played catch with teammates, and continued to pitch off the mound, and threw to live batters: Mark Kotsay, Tim Hudson, and Corky Miller. On April 3, 2008, Hampton was scheduled to make his long-anticipated return to the Braves rotation in a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. While warming up, however, Hampton strained his left pectoral muscle, and was placed on the 15-day disabled list.
Apparently the doctors that did his MRI this week think he is recovered from the injury and will be able to pitch. If they didn't think so, I doubt we'd sign him at all.
