First of all, I doubt Lance would have signed a long-term deal on the "cheap." One of the reasons he was so eager to sign the 3 year deal was because a.) it gave him financial security for the short term, and he wouldn't be having to deal with arbitration, which is essentially a series of 1 year contracts, which if you suffer an injury in any of those years, is very risky (see Wade Miller). and b.) a 3 year deal was long enough to give him financial security, but short enough so that he'd still get a chance to test FA, or get a long-term big money deal, while he was still in his prime. Believe me, he and his agent would have figured out that perhaps signing a long term deal, before Lance ever reaches his prime, is not essentially the best thing in mind. It was a good deal for both sides... as it basically helped both sides tremendously, and in the end, nobody is really at a disadvantage (Lance was going to start making big money now anyways, and the Astros were going to have to pay him big money to get him to stick around) As for Roy, they're probably gonna offer him around a 4 year deal in the 40 million dollar range, with a 5th year as an option. You don't want to start getting into 6-7 year deals with pitchers (see Mike Hampton), because they are the biggest injury risks on the field, and an injury to a big money guy who only plays for you every 5th day can be crippling. Roy looks pretty durabable now, since the groin surgery (made all his starts this year), and locking him up till he's 31-32 would put this club in a great position to succeed for the upcoming years. (Also, I believe Cuttino shouldn't have signed a 6 year deal, looking at it from his agent's perspective... it was too long, and essentially, he got paid just as much as Moochie or Matt Maloney in the end. )
NEW YORK (AP) -- Carlos Beltran wasted no time in becoming a free agent. After hitting eight homers for the Houston Astros to tie the postseason record, the speedy center fielder was among 65 players who filed for free agency Thursday on the first possible day, just hours after Boston completed its historic sweep of St. Louis in the World Series. Acquired during the season from Kansas City, Beltran has said he would consider re-signing with the Astros if they keep the core of the team together. ``I experienced being on a team where they don't do anything to help the ballclub,'' Beltran said. ``One of my priorities if I stay with this ballclub will be keeping the young guys ... our young players have potential to be real good.'' Beltran, who is represented by Scott Boras, could get the biggest deal of the offseason. http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_y...YwN0aA--?slug=ap-freeagents&prov=ap&type=lgns i dont like the sound of this
What isnt to like?? He said he would consider the Astros if we keep our guys together. Thats pretty damn reasonable in my book.
You do realize that he's referring to Kansas City, and not Houston, when he's saying that "he experienced being on a team that did nothing to help the ballclub," right?
Hey guys i was wondering what you guys thought about maybe an option besides Carlos. Just like everyone here I would love to have Beltran back for 6-7 more years but I don't know about paying him 18-19+ mil/year. So I propose an alternate plan. If we were gonna commit 18 million a year to Beltran, would be just as good or maybe even better to use that money to distribute among 1-2 players? My idea, if Beltran wants too much or just isn't inclined to signing with us in the first place is to shore up other areas as well as center field. This has been thrown across the board before but what if we use the 18 million and sign JD. Drew (8-9) and Mike Lowell (7-8) respectively. Drew is not a 5 tool player but I can see him being a Larry Walker type in his prime. Solid bat, not as big of a pop as Walker but very good defensively and can hit to all areas of the field. Lowell is a gold glove 3rd baseman and he's only 30. I just think that if we sign these 2, it could make up for a lost Beltran and we would still be up there competitively with any other team in baseball. So what do you guys think?
Drew is still young... and if there was no Beltran, he'd be #1 on everybody's list of "must have" outfielders. The only knock on him is his health, but he finally put it all together last year. I doubt he'd only settle for 8-9 million, but you can be sure that whichever team doesn't get Beltran, will be looking at him as a second option. Oh, btw, his agent is none other than Scott Boras...
how much do you think drew will commmand then. I thought that 8-9 million is pretty generous given that he has had an injury-plagued career and my teams are iffy on putting a lot of money on one good healthy year. do you think he can handle our center field?
He could handle our CF (at least better than Lance, Craig, or Jason), and would be a monster at MMP with his bat... but yea, even though he's had one injury-free year, he's still gonna get big money. There are teams that can afford to take chances like that... but the Astros are not one of them. Hell, the Yankees could get Drew AND Beltran, and have a bench of Bernie, Sheffield (DH), and Matsui. I know that's unlikely, but wouldn't that be something! With Drew, it was always... "he can put up big numbers if he's healthy." Well, he finally proved that last year. Had he stayed healthy, and his numbers were just OK, then maybe teams would back off a little... but, his numbers were fantastic.
I wouldn't be against filling a void left by Beltran with a guy like Soriano- apparently the Rangers may not want to go to arbitration with him, and instead may let him be a free agent. He's probably the next best power/speed combo in the league after Beltran. Bottom line is, if we lose out on Beltran and Kent, and they are replaced in the lineup with Lane and Burke, this team is going to have some growing pains.
Agreed... but it wouldn't be the WORST position in the world to be in. Sure, they won't be favorites to go to the "World Series" as they were this year, but its now or never for those two guys (Lane, Burke) who were big-name prospects, but esp. in the case of Lane, have had to wait and wait and wait to get a chance to show their stuff. I'm pretty sure Burke will be nothing more than solid defense, a decent average, and some speed... I don't expect him to start hitting 20-30 HR's like Biggio has done. But with Lane, here's a guy who could have 30+ HR/ year power, but has never gotten a chance to see what he could do everyday. He's 27 now... not getting any younger... and had he been on any other team, he'd probably already have been given a shot.
i dont' think they'll lose out on Kent and Beltran. one or both of those guys will be astros next season.
Lowell's staying in FLA. Bummer, Stros need a new 3B. http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tm...ap/20041029/ap_on_sp_ba_ne/bbn_marlins_lowell "Lowell, who could have opted out of his contract because the team hasn't secured new stadium financing, agreed Friday to a revised deal in which the team guarantees the remaining $25.5 million on his contract."
For all of you touting Drew and Lowell, what makes you guys think that if the Astros lose out on Beltran that they would use the money saved to acquire different players?
I think we should let Lamb play every day...we could probably get a semi-decent return on Ensberg if we traded him
Well, the thinking is Drew or Lowell would come cheaper. We'd probably save 5 mill per year, and not be hit with near the dropoff in production.
This is from Rumor Central of the ESPN Insider: Oct. 31 - The Astros enjoy a 15-day window during which they have sole negotiating rights with Carlos Beltran, the Houston Chronicle reported. While Beltran and agent Scott Boras have made it clear they will listen to offers into December, this window remains the Astros' only exclusive opportunity -- and will be open only so long. Upon his arrival in Puerto Rico last week, Beltran said he wanted to listen to the Astros, but they gave him no indication they'd travel to visit him. The teams that have made it known they'll do everything possible to sign the superstar center fielder are the Cubs, Yankees and Phillies.
