Yeah, I made a mistake about Ausmus' age . . . I thought he was older I still HATE this trade though. Hopefully, I'll be proven wrong, but I really don't like giving up Meluskey, or Cedeno. And I think Holt could shine if he were given better run support. Next thing you know, we'll be trading Berkman for Carl Everett. I see where you all are coming from though . . . maybe it isn't so bad, but I really am not a big fan of Doug Brocail at all. Nelson Cruz may be okay. If Ausmus can swing it in EFUS, we may not be so bad after all, but I still feel we got screwed. Even if we weren't going to keep those players, I think we could've maybe gotten more for them.
Bobfin*, I too believe that Hampton would not have signed with us even if we had Ausmus before his deal with the Rockies. Hampie's free agency romp was about money, and money is what he got. Mclane would never have been willing to spend the kind of dough that Colorado put up. And as for the "quality middle relief", I don't know about the other guy, but even though Brocail pitched decently last season (when he was healthy), he has been on the Stros before, and he didn't blow anyone's skirt up then, which is why we traded him. No, trades like this are not going to entice Bagwell to resign with Houston... thank you so much Drayton... ------------------ [This message has been edited by RunninRaven (edited December 12, 2000).]
I have an idea. Instead of Drayton spending about 60 million dollars every year and finishing 3rd or 4th, why not save that money? spend about 20 million a year. save the other 40 for about three years, that way in the fourth year u can buy a championship for about 150+ million dollars! ------------------ SUCK POLICE!!!!!! To point out individuals or teams that have managed to reach the pinnacle of SUCKINESS!!!!! ----- THE WASHINGTON SUCKSKINS!!!!!!! My Cowboys might SUCK, but its nice to know that we can always rely on the SUCKSKINS to be our B**CH!!!!
What's the Livester's opinion of the LATEST Astros blobkbuster deal? YAWN!!! BIG YAWN!!! THE TYPE OF YAWN THAT MAKES YOUR EYES WATER!!! ------------------ "We make a lot, but we spend a lot." Patrick Ewing, alumnus, Georgetown University
A quick note from last year's Baseball Prospectus: Nelson Cruz, Throws R, Age 27* This is what passes for a pitching prospect in the Tiger organization. Cruz washed out of the White Sox organization, but he has good control and throws reasonably hard, so he's got the Tigers hoping he can be somebody. Unless "somebody" means "middle reliever," their hopes are likely to be dashed. * He's 28 now ------------------ The National Basketball Association obviously revolves directly around Bob Finn's Fantasy Basketball League!
Am I not mistaken, but didn't Hampton have personal problems with Dierker and another player ? Didn't Ausmus have personal problems with Dierker ? ------------------ "I am" is reportedly the shortest sentence in the English language. Could it be that "I do" is the longest sentence ?
While this trade does not do much for me, I dont see the fuss over Mitch. I think in the long run, hitting was all Mitch brought to the table, and hitting we have, in spades. He was worse than pathetic behind the plate and unpopular in the clubhouse. (not to mention the shoulder laxity problem which is an injury likely to keep re-occuring). Brad, by just being back there, will cause most baserunners to think twice. Plus he is a favorite in the clubhouse, works great with the staff and, perhaps most importantly, a close friend of Bagwell. (Does anyone notice the blurb by Bagwell about wanting to re-sign with the stros in todays chron? Note how he says this trade wont make up his mind one way or the other, but I dont buy that.) As to Holt and Cedeno, dont let the door hit ya in the $#@!! [This message has been edited by stringthing (edited December 12, 2000).]
Cedeno was certainly a disappointment for the Astros. His average dropped 30 points from the previous year and he could not defensively handle center field. He probably set some sort of record by hitting more triples than doubles. It is incredible that a speedy player like Cedeno would only have TWO doubles in over 300 plate appearances. I don't mind the trading of the 3 players, but it seems like the Astros could have gotten more in return. ------------------
I have never liked him as a player. Glen Barker brings as much to the table as RC maybe more on the defensive side. Cedeno was just eating up salary and a valuable outfield spot. ------------------
Um, Glen Barker is a good pinch-runner and all, but to say he's the same as Cedeno is just wrong. For one, he's not a good enough hitter to play every day. .224 won't cut it. For another, he's 3 years older: as a 29-year-old, he's not exactly a prospect. Third, Barker led the NL in steals in 1999; Barker stole 9 and was caught 6 times last year: speed doesn't equal basestealing ability. Feh! I'm not that big a Cedeno fan, but he's a legit young, everyday player. Swapping him for a couple of so-so middle relievers is a mistake. ------------------
Uh, if RC is so hot, how come Dirk would pull him in the late innings for Barker as a defensive replacement? Quite curious....You are an "up and coming young player" and you cant field your position well enough to stay in the games in late innings? Mitch had trouble getting the ball to second without one hopping it there. Plus he was not very well liked by the staff. Why do you think Tony caught some many games in a row. His big hitting streak? While Mitch sits on the bench perfectly healthy? I believe the staff wanted Tony back there over Mitch. Again no problems with me on this trade. If you know baseball, you know that your defense up the middle is crucial. I think the Astros feel that they are taking steps toward shoring that up (with this move, Viz being signed, and Everett on the way) ---------------------------- [This message has been edited by stringthing (edited December 12, 2000).]
Cedeno had a good defensive rep with the Mets, as a corner OF. As we know, he failed in center at Enron (it is a lot of ground to cover, but still puzzling why he had so much trouble). Barker is a very good defensive OF - I haven't debated that. Better than any of the Stros OF except maybe Hidalgo, and thus a fine defensive replacement. But you know as well as I do that you can't get away with being a great defensive OF if you've got no bat. Really the only places where the defensive specialist can play every day are SS (and even then, that position is changing). Conversely, a good offensive player who is defensively-challenged is likely to be put into a corner OF spot to "hide" them, and they can play every day. Anyway, I was refuting your argument that "Glen Barker brings as much to the table as RC maybe more on the defensive side." I concede defense, but no way does he even come close on offense, either with the bat or on the basepaths. So no way does he "bring as much to the table." ------------------
Fair enough, but when I used the phrase "brings as much to the table" I was not really thinking of Barker as an everyday starter. I really thought of Cedeno as taking up a spot better suited for someone else (Namely Hidalgo). Shift Berkman to left and put Moises in right. More power with cedeno out. Plus you now can platoon Berkman etc with Ward, getting his bat in the lineup more often now that one position is freed up. As to basestealing, I dont see that as a major offense option for this team anyway. Enron is not set up for it. More suited for a station to station type approach. Maybe its best to say, I dont think Cedeno was a good fit for this team. ------------------ [This message has been edited by stringthing (edited December 12, 2000).]
Imagine Roger Metzger getting $252 million? ps. That was a joke for us old guys ------------------ When we tire of well-worn ways, we seek for new. This restless craving in the souls of men spurs them to climb, and to seek the mountain view. -- Ella Wheeler Wilcox
stringthing, how could you say that about Cedeno ? He played well while he was here. ------------------ "I am" is reportedly the shortest sentence in the English language. Could it be that "I do" is the longest sentence ?
