http://msn.espn.go.com/mlb/news/2002/0129/1319560.html No word on how much he is getting but I bet its alot and Berkman will choke next year after this big money.
I don't care. I'm just thrilled that Lance "Ted Williams compares me to himself" Berkman will return .
Incredibly important signing by the Stros, even though it's only for 3 seasons. Lance is already one of the best all-around hitters in the game. Best move they've made in the offseason, easily (I realize that's not saying much).
Wow, awesome signing by the Astros. I have a feeling that in 3 years, when his contract is up, the Astros will be thinking that 10 mil a SEASON will be a great deal for the player that led the Astros to their first World Series championship.
what?? where's the criticism??? i thought if the astros did or didn't do ANYTHING we all piled on McLane and claimed he was the worst owner in Houston pro sports history??!!
where did you see this? if that's true, that's freakin' incredible and hunsicker must have some pictures of lance somewhere. i figured 10 mil/season would be about where it was at but this, damn.
Hidalgo gets 4 yr / $32MM contract and Berkman gets a 3 yr / $10MM contract? Berkman needs a new agent! (Not that I mind!)
Fantastic move. Berkman is a key to this team's future, and signing him, especially for such a low price is fantastic.
AHA! Reading on Astrosconnection, it turns out Berkman was under club control these next three years anyway. This contract doesn't keep him here any longer than he would have been had we paid him his normal $500K this year and arbitration the next two years. Arbitration estimates would have been in the $4-$6MM range ... meaning we'd have had him for about $10MM over 3 yrs that way too. Only now, he's guaranteed the money even if he sucks ass, and we don't have to risk arbitration if he becomes the best player ever.
Fantastic news! I am an Astros fan. I think Berkman will soon be the best player on the team and nice of him not to hold out for more and more money.
Well, I didn't want to resign Wagner and wanted to keep Castilla and Alou...so it's not that good an offseason. And, we would've kept Berkman regardless, unless we traded him.
would've kept him at what cost though?? there are ridiculous numbers coming out of arbitration hearings now. next year, berkman is arbitration eligible. if he has another season like he did this year, he'd be pegged at roughly $10 million/year...not $10.5 for three years. we'll agree to disagree on wagner...i think having him and dotel makes this the best bullpen in the NL...which will compliment well one of the best rotations in the NL. as for castilla...would have liked to keep him too...but not if there are viable alternatives. as for alou...i would have loved to keep him...but not at the price the cubs were willing to pay. he's too injury-prone and he wears down at the end of every season.
You're right about Berkman, I just thought the locked up was misleading. I hope you're right about Wagner.
He does. They are photos of Lance in a Fat Elvis jumpsuit sitting at a table full of drag queens at Charlie's Diner on the corner of Westheimer and Montrose.
