Kile signed for ~$1 million more...in a state that has a state income tax. He was extremely close to the market price for Kile. He signed Wagner when Wagner was younger. Now, Wagner's getting up in years and we have two possible replacements in Dotel and Lidge. If you're going to play the chess game that his free agency in baseball (for most teams not named the Yankees, Mets, Dodgers, Red Sox), then the Wagner move was a good one. Hidalgo has had one good season before last year. Again, we have a possible replacement in Lane which is cheaper and could possibly be as good as Hidalgo. Why not try to move someone who, by all accounts, really isn't worth $15 million a year?
Billy was my Fav. player on the astros, id love watching him during the 9th it was awsome .. oo well thoughs days are gone, I just wana boycot the astros cuz of our cheap ass ownder but i cant im to big of a fan it suks
Yup, that same cheap ass owner allowed you to watch your favorite Astro for a few more years. What a cheap b*stard.
Here is a question for you. There is a FA pitcher out there who has a lifetime 71-65 record with a 4.16 ERA. He'll be 30 the year after you sign him. His career has bounced up and down, but he did have a very good year in the last year of his contract. The 3 seasons immediately prior to the very good year, his record was 25-29 with a cumulative ERA of around 4.50. Should you take a chance and offer him 3 years at around $25 million?
then, about 4 hours later: So much for practicing what you preach, huh? I'll admit though, it's hard to bite your tongue in the face of willful ignorance. I really wish I had the time (and the search function) to figure out just how many times this whole "Drayton sucks" thing and all it's corresponding nonsense ("He lets all our good players leave!") has been debunked. TIRESOME
Okay, I'm willing to give 'ol Drayton another shot to do right by us. Trade Billy for prospects? Okay, cool..... BUT if that's the ONLY move he "allows" Gerry to make, then it's another crappy effort on the Astros part. IF I hear another "What have you done to be a champion today?" reference from Drayton and does nothing more in the off-season, I'm going to become a Cubs fan!
Its funny how everybody thinks the Cubs have been more dedicated to trying to win than the Astros... you people are only looking at last year. What about all those years when the Cubs did NOTHING but sit on profits from a sold-out Wrigley Field, and a FAT WGN-TV contract, and perrenially put a last place team on the field. How do you think they got Prior... how did they get Wood... they're both high draft picks due to their yearly ineptitude. Trust me... if you were a Cubs fan, you'd be having the SAME complaints about lack of spending... except that the Tribune company doesn't claim "losses" like Drayton does... they just want to maximize profits. Maybe that's all changed now (why wouldn't it... if they've got two studs like Prior and Wood), but wait till all these guys become real expensive, and you'll see the Cubs sticking to the budget like everyone else.
I'll take the honor of concluding this thread in true Billy Wagner Style: (Turn up the Volume...LOUD) Cue Metallica: Say your prayers little one don't forget , my son to include everyone tuck you in, warm within keep you free from sin till the sandman he comes sleep with one eye open gripping your pillow tight exit light enter night take my hand off to never never land something's wrong , shut the light heavy thoughts tonight and they aren't of snow white dreams of war, dreams of liars dreams of dragon's fire and of things that will bite sleep with one eye open gripping your pillow tight exit light enter night take my hand off to never never land now I lay me down to sleep pray the lord my soul to keep if I die before I wake pray the lord my soul to take hush little baby , don't say a word and never mind that noise you heard it's just the beast under your bed, in your closet , in your head exit light enter night grain of sand exit light enter night take my hand we're off to never never land Thx for all the memories, Billy!
Bye-bye, malcontent. Have fun launching 100 MPH meatballs over the plate that lose the game in Philly. BTW - Enjoy the rest of your 8 million that our cheap "scrooge" of an owner signed you to. You will, you know, still get paid that money. And would have got it here, were it not for your biting the hand that fed you your check. Spectator 1: "Look! It's an idiot with a 100 MPH fast ball." Spectator 2: "Does he have a curve?" Spectator 1: "None to speak of." Spectator 2: "Wow, that's fast though. A 100 MPH? Why is he an idiot?" Spectator 1: "Because his mouth is the same speed."
Great question. I probably would have, but it's certainly not a slam dunk. I guess I would have based on his last year and the fact that he had very good stuff entering the prime of his career. I'd do a 3 year contract, but probably no longer than that. 4.16 era would now be viewed as respectable.
