I predict the Astros sign Cliff Lee for 10 years 500 million dollars. He will start on 3 days rest for the rest of his career and carry us to the playoffs.
Geesh, I hope the Astros don't get carried away this off season with the current stretch of success this team has had. Because they are liable to do something dumb like that and overpay a FA. Argg I could hear it now, and for the next decade already, constant whining by Astros brass and management.... Talking about overpaying, it was funny I was hearing the broadcast a few days ago during the Mets series, and it seemed the Mets are considering moving Beltran to Right field. One of the Astros broadcasters said, "they'd move him if they could find takers". I just about rolled over laughing. Switching back to Astros and smart finances... But when you have a roster of 25 you have to be frugal with the money. Especially when if you aren't going to be looking to spend over 100 million in salary. You figure LEGITIMATE top 3 starting pitchers should average about 10 million a piece. Your top hitters make another 10 million a piece. So that leaves about 40 million for the other 19 guys on the team - that's still 2 million per player per average. But this crap of 25 million per year for a star has got to stop. Unless you are the Yankees whom I've never heard complain about salaries. I simply can't stomach the Astros brass complaining about money any more... It's atrocious to hear - simply trade the guy if you aren't comfortable paying 20 million to a pending CY young or MVP FA candidate; or accept it as a rental during a playoff stretch run.
When has the Astros' brass complained about money? They have consistently had a payroll in the top 1/2 of the league. It can be argued whether or not that money was spent wisely, but it can't be argued that they don't spend the money and haven't ponied up during a contending season.
Its interesting that a lot of people still assume we are a crappy team or just not very good but for over halve of the season we have been a pretty good team. Since we were 17-34 the Stros are 44-37 and their pitching has been fantastic. In comparison, over the same time period the Cards are 40-39 while the Giants are 45-36. Their offense has been up and down but has stabilized a bit over the past month. All this has me excited to see what comes of this and I can certainly see them achieving .500 or better with the right tweaks and/or the young maturing which is the plan anyway.
Watching Wandy, Myers, and Happ pitch is such a treat. Those guys are like pitching masters. Very enjoyable to watch them work I've watched more games since the Berkman trade than I have the past 2 seasons. I'm liking these Astros!!! And I think Norris is going to be good enough to stay in the Rotation until he develops into a top of the roation pitcher in 2 or 3 years - possibly an ace.
Norris has the stuff to be a quality pitcher in this league, but he isn't ace material. I'm crossing my fingers for Lyles. Never seen him pitch, but all the reports have me really excited. He won't be ready for a while though.
