http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/headline/sports/5385243.html ...The Astros would also love to get Prior, 27, in Houston, which is why they made an initial offer to him on Monday. “We’ve got an offer out to him at this point and time,” Wade said of Prior. “I got a sense that we’re in the relatively early stages. Yeah, we got on board with that one.” Prior, the second overall pick in the 2001 draft, missed the 2007 season while recovering from right shoulder surgery. He is 42-29 with a 3.51 ERA since reaching the majors in 2002. He was 1-6 over nine starts during his injury plagued 2006 season, his last in the majors. As a policy, Wade doesn’t divulge specific numbers on the offers the club has made, but scouts throughout baseball believe Prior will get an incentive-laced, one-year deal and then test free agency again next winter. jesus.ortiz@chron.com
Win or lose, I'm glad to see Wade at least make a pitch for Prior. I'm not expecting much, since Prior is likely coveted by a lot of teams, but the gesture is appreciated. BTW, I wanted to throw in an obnoxious, snarky, anti-Purpura comment, but I think it might be finally time to move on. Man, you turn 30, and suddenly, you're all grown up.
He's generated interest from the Mets and Yankees so far. Hopefully, he signs with the Astros to stick it to the Cubs. If this guy comes in healthy, he'll help this pitching rotation tremendously.
I forgot to add a link: http://www.realgmbaseball.com/src_w...17/yankees_and_mets_both_interested_in_prior/ And theirs 11 other teams interested in Prior.
He would be our #2 (injuries not withstanding). Now we need an inning eater and we're ready to go to war. Even though the farm system has been gutted,if we get Prior and he stands up,I see no reason why the Astros aren't in the thick of it this year.Drayton's gone this far so it appears they'll finish the job.
Couple more links... http://blogs.chron.com/gamedayastros/2007/12/more_from_berkman.html If Jennings is healthy again, he could fill the inning eater role. When we got him, we thought he'd be a #2...he has thrown 180+ innings in 4 of his 6 seasons. http://houston.astros.mlb.com/news/...t_id=2328766&vkey=news_hou&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou On Prior Another option, Kris Benson, And lastly, Jon Lieber, Lieber doesn't sound very realistic. On one-year w/incentives, I wouldn't be too upset over Jennings, Prior, or Benson.
I would love to see Prior come to Houston, i think he gets healthy enough he can be that 15-18 game winner for us...Man would that be great?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liván_Hernández A two-time All-Star, Hernández is considered to be a great defensive pitcher, having made just 11 errors in his career. He is described as a workhorse; he throws many pitches, pitches many innings, and makes every start he needs to in order to provide his team's bullpen much rest. He led the National League in innings pitched in three consecutive seasons, 2003 through 2005, and led the league in complete games for the first two of those years. In 2005, he once threw 150 pitches in nine innings, although the game went into extra innings after he left. In 2004 and 2005 he led the major leagues with 3,927 and 4,009 pitches, respectively. Hernández also is a dangerous hitter, helping his own cause with the bat, and won the Silver Slugger award at the pitcher position in 2004.
Anything more than 1 yr and a club option for 2009 and Jennings would not be on my team. I have no problem with gambling on prior, but for my team it comes in conjunction with still landing jennings/livan/silva/lieber etc. They need the guy to gobble up innings behind Roy for 2008. My preference is for a 2 year deal at about 16-20 mil total for Livan Hernandez. Of course i'd rather get him at 1 year 8-10 mil, but he likely won't bite on that. He's durable, eats innings and has a ton of postseason/big game experience.
Wow...I didn't realize he was a Silver Slugger. I thought that was a typo. The Astros should be all over this guy. What a lineup that would be with Hernandez hitting at the pitcher spot.
They're looking for lightning to strike if they get one of these guys (Prior being the main target, I'd guess) If they back strong, with a short deal big on incentive money, it's a great move. Whoever they get, if they get one of these guys (hopefully Prior!) and he works out, beautiful. If he doesn't, it's a short term financial hit.
I guess Jennings is too much of a p***y to come back and try to prove the trade was at least worth more than what little we got from him last season. I hope his next team fares just as well. Damn you, Poopura!
