The 'Stros declined to pick up both of their options I can understand not picking up Reynolds, but Ausmus is a vital part of our team. If he doesn't come back, which is very unlikely but still, it will be a long season behind the plate. It also looks like the Reynolds dynasty is over. He was one of my favorite players. Although his production has dropped over the last few years, his leadership will truly be missed.
I knew about Shane, but I didn't know about Ausmus. I don't like this news, though. I am somewhat ok with Shane going since the injuries, but like you said Ausmus is a vital part of our team. I'd want to keep him. There are still ways to sign them, though, right?
The order things could've happened are: (1) Exercise the club option ($7M). (2) Don't exercise the option, and leave the decision to Ausmus. He can stick around for $5.5M, or he can become a free agent. Since the club has every indication Ausmus wants to stay, it was in their best interest not to exercise their option. They keep their player and save $1.5M. Having said that, I'd like the club to renegotiate and see whether Ausmus would be interested in taking less money for a longer (3-4 years including a new option year?) deal.
It's a little early for call ups. I think Ivy League will be back. If not though, it will be interesting to see if Chavez gets his shot at the big leagues next year to prove that he can be Buck's back up the year after next. Of course if Buck tears up the AFL all bets are off.
I doubt the Astros let Brad go. If he simply refuses to pick up his 5.5 million player option, then they can still renegotiate a new deal somewhere between 7 mil and 5.5 million. As for Reynolds, I can see them signing him to another contract too, as long as it is cheap.
Ausmus wouldn't even get 5.5 on the free agent market. The Astros would be ill advised to offer him more than 5.5.
That depends a great deal, I think, on whether Bradley manages to snag the Gold Glove at catcher again this season. I think he will be in the running, as he had a good season defensively, but I'm not really up on whoever else might be a candidate. If he wins, that will probably drive his price tag up a bit with other teams.
Mike Matheny is probably going to get a lot of votes. It wouldn't surprise me to see Brad get a $5million offer in free agency though I think he really wants to stay in Houston and will take less if it comes down to it. Buck is one of the best catching prospects in baseball though so I doubt Ausmus will get more than 2 years and an option maybe.
With the economics in baseball, I don't know if many teams would think ANY catcher is worth more than 5 mill/year, even IRod and his injuries. I'm kind of on the fence about Ausmus. I don't think the Astros can contend next year (85 wins or so), unless we add a star caliber player, which I would be shocked. Assuming that the payroll is maintained, and nothing major happens, I'd be willing to let Ausmus walk, and take my lumps with a rookie catcher. I'm a firm believe in baptism by fire. I think it's time the Astros rebuild...
Ausmus will be back...The Astros just gambled to try and save 1.5 million dollars. Remember Oswalt and Miller and Berkman will be Free Agents Real Soon. We are looking at $20,000,000+ more per season spread out among these 3 players. UNLOAD HIDALGO NOW!
If Reynolds isn't signed to a new deal I'll be sad to see him go. He's been a great player, but how many seasons has he been on the IR for part of now? 3 or 4 in a row? If Hunsicker doesn't resign Ausmus, he's a dumbass. I'm sure they'll work out a new deal.
It is official Ausmus has decided to exercise his option so he will be back next year. http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news/20021016/ausmusoption.html
Not quite "real soon now." Berkman is signed for the next three years for $10.5 Mil. Oswalt and Miller aren't due paydays for another two seasons. By the time all three are due $$$$, Biggio will be gone (or on a drastically reduced deal), as will Bagwell.
Don't forget that we had a rising star catcher and traded him for Ausmus for a reason -- his defensive ability and his reputation for being able to work with young pitchers. At the time, the Astros GM stated that he knew they were losing run production, but felt that Ausmus was worth 2 runs a game on the defensive side. They felt it was hurting the young pitchers to have a rookie catcher. They wanted Ausmus to work with all of the new talent they have coming up. All indications show that this has worked. The new pitchers trust Ausmus, and have performed well on the field. With our pitching staff -- If we went with a rookie catcher, or even a veteran who isn't used to developing pitchers, we'd be hurt. It seemed pretty clear that the Astros wanted Ausmus to exercise his option. This also opens up the opportunity for them to work out a sunset deal with him -- something like 7-8 mil over 3 years.
DC, I assume you're referring to Mitch Meluskey. In addition to his pathetic defense, Mitch was also a head-case with chronic shoulder problems. Comparing his defensive abilities to John Buck's is like comparing, uh i dunno, 2 things that are not at all similar. Buck is ready for the majors defensively right now, he needs a little more seasoning at the plate. Of course he'll need time to get attuned to the starters' tendencies & comfort zone but that's the case with any catcher, rookie or veteran, who is catching a staff for the first time. Also, the young starters will have another year of experience & will not need to rely on Ausmus as much. Barring injury or some other unforeseen event, Buck will be the starting catcher in '04. Ausmus would make an excellent #2 catcher & "insurance policy" at that time, I'm just not sure he'll want to re-sign & give up the opportunity to play every day somewhere else.
Exactly right...Meluskey was also becoming a PR nightmare. There were fans in the expensive seats who complained to Astros management that they took their kids to the game and they could audibly hear a constant stream of obscenities yelled out by Meluskey. When these fans are paying $32 a seat, you don't want to have that kind of PR. BTW...Ausmus will get nowhere CLOSE to 7-8 million on the free agent market. At his age, he'll be lucky to get something in the 4 to 5 million dollar range.
also don't forget that meluskey got in a fistfight with one of the vets (one of the journeymen --i forget his name). that was a one-way ticket outta here.
Good point. He got into a fight with Matt Mieske. He punched Mieske for getting into the batting cage first. That's lame, and not something you want for the clubhouse.
