Mike Hampton

It has been mentioned. Peter Gammons reported it in his column a week or two ago. Hampton's problems can't be blamed entirely on Colorado. I believe his ERA was higher on the road last year than in Denver.

Also, don't look for Reynolds to come back unless he takes a huge pay cut. He is a free agent coming off of back surgery.

 

The same thing could have been said about DK. His road ERA was atrocious when he played for the Rockies. I have come to believe it has to do with the Rockies uniform rather than their park/altitude.

 

Perhaps they could trade for Hampton to be the CF and leadoff hitter they need .

 

Something interesting -- in 2000 Hampton entered into an 8 year, $121 million deal, aroung $15 mil a year. It would look to be out of the Astros price range.

But, we lose two starters, who occupy the #4 and #5 salaries on the team, and have missed most of this past season. This year, Reynolds made $7.7 mil and Miliki $6.2 mil -- just shy of $14 mil between them.

Hampton would absolutely shore up the rotation. Can you imagine Miller, Oswalt, and Hampton? But at the same time, that's a big risk. Would the Astros really be willing to sink a third of their payroll into one player? They've got to be gunshy after the injury situation the past two years.

I'd love to have that three punch, but I think we are lucky to have two top flight starters. That $15 mil could easily buy two good starters, and help shore up the outfield and left infield. We'd be much better off, and would still be in a good position to use the young guns WHEN we have some injuries.

 

One thing to point out is that any trade bringing Hampy would likely involve Hidalgo and his fat salary going to Denver. The salary difference won't be all that huge.

 

hidalgo doesn't earn near what hampton earns, though, right??? did we really give hidalgo a deal for $15/year??

 

Hildago's fat salary ($5.5 mil) will help, but we're still left with all our eggs in one basket for the next five years, and $4.5 mil to patch two holes in the outfiled, and another starting position, as well as shore up third and short. Don't forget they signed healthy extensions to Merced and Vis (Well worth it -- and solidifying thier bench) which will kick in next season. Not to mention Berkman's new contract which bumps up this years $500,000 a few notches (obviously worth it.)

The most the Astros have ever spent on one player is Bagwell -- $11 mil, who has been consistent and injury resistant over the years. I just can't see them sinking the last 5 years of a $121mil contract into one player. But, I could be wrong.

 

i agree, dc...and now i don't think they should...i didn't realize hampton was getting paid $15 million/year...the astros should not, should not, should not take that investment on...i'd rather keep crappy hidalgo on the bench.

 

Hidalgo is owed $22M over the next 2 seasons. If you get rid of that plus Reynolds' salary and Mlicki's salary...then you can add Hampy and Pierre and STILL come out with a net savings.

 

Hidalgo is owed $22M over the next 2 seasons. If you get rid of that plus Reynolds' salary and Mlicki's salary...then you can add Hampy and Pierre and STILL come out with a net savings.

You'll come out OK for the next 2 years or so. But you're getting rid of $22MM in guaranteed money and adding $100MM over the life of the deal. And when Hampton's salary is skyrocketing is when we will need money to sign Oswalt, Miller, Berkman, etc.

If we knew Hampton was going to return to form, I'd say do it. Under the circumstances, no way in my opinion. If Hampton doesn't return to form in Houston, he becomes completely untradeable. Starting pitching is not really our weakness right now - with Miller & Oswalt, we've got as good a front-two as anybody. Between Hernandez, Saarloos, Munro, and Redding, you've got to be able to find 2 useful starters, and then get one cheap free agent. I'd rather spend the $15MM on other areas.

 

didn't this trade involve getting juan pierre? i think he's having a down year but potentially he could fill the centerfield position.

 

This completely ignores that fact that there is a gaping hole in the rotation with Reynolds not coming back. We won't resign Mlicki either...so we need pitching. It's a gamble, but I think a gamble worth making.

 

It's not worth the gamble, particularly if signing him means we won't have money to sign either Miller or Oswalt down the road.

 

This completely ignores that fact that there is a gaping hole in the rotation with Reynolds not coming back. We won't resign Mlicki either...so we need pitching. It's a gamble, but I think a gamble worth making.

There's not really a major hole. A hole would be a top-flight starter missing. Oswalt & Miller are perfect 1/2 men. Hernandez is an above-average #3 guy. Saarloos/Munro/Redding can be fine as the #5 guy. You can sign #4 pitchers as free agents fairly cheaply.

Keep in mind Hampton would represent about 20-25% of our total payroll ... for a guy that may be one of the worst pitchers in baseball. It would be Lima times three (in the worse case scenario).

 

By the time they come up for contract renewal Bags and Bidge will be gone, leaving enormous money to throw at Miller and Oswalt.

 

AGREED! He left because he did not want to be here and then sold his soul for money when he was adamant that it wasn't about money. How stupid does Drayton look when "a change of scenery" doesn't work out for a guy who took his money and decided he could rest on his laurels for the rest of his career. Odds of Hampton regaining his dominance? Fair. Worth the $15m a year to find out? NOT!. Can definitely get two guys to fill in the rotation for $15 M or less.

If Colorado wants to trade Hampton AND Pierre and take Hidalgo off our hands and also eat $5 M /yr of Hampton's salary, maybe we should think about it. In that event both Hampton and The Rockies owner would have cause to reflect on their folly. Better yet, forget it. It's not worth the risk!!!!

 

Agreed on Oswalt and Miller. Those 2 are warriors.
Disagree on Hernandez. Yes, he's shown flashes, but has been inconsistent, at times wild, and has shown to this point to be very prone to injury. He has the potential, but I wouldn't consider him a solid #3 yet, let alone above average. I hope he is, but he's having a string of injuries, and most of them seem to be pitching related.

Then, your back end is up for grabs. Maybe Saarloos/Munro/Redding step up, but we all thought (or at least I did) that Redding may have put it together for this season, and that didn't work out. Neither did pencilling Ward in at LF for 30 HR and 90+ RBI, nor Hidalgo.

Then again, assuming Hampton will return to form is risky. I think if you can get Pierre out of it, and make the financial load reasonable (ie, move Hidalgo, Rockies pay some of contract, Hampton renogotiates to defer money and/or remove years), it's worth it.

 

Or to stuff in Mcclane's pockets.