You're stretching it. To my knowledge, Germano wasn't that much of a prospect, and a 4.5 ERA in a bit more than half a season in San Diego and the NL West isn't that much to be excited about. Oddly, he was better on the road than at home. But even so, I've got a hard time penciling in Germano as better than Backe or Wandy Rodriguez, who posted a similar ERA and strong peripherals in a hitters park and did so over the course of a full season. Same with Wolf, who had a worse ERA and peripherals than Wandy in Dodger Stadium. Wolf and Germano might have mediocre seasons based on Petco, but they're not much of a challenge for Prior to beat out if he's remotely healthy.
What does it say if San Diego has a glaring hole at #5, and they cut Jack Cassell, who could end up in our 5? I still expect us to end up with one of Jon Lieber, Kris Benson, or Jason Jennings. Prior signing for $1m means he just really wanted to go to San Diego. If he has a big year, he can easily make up the $1-2m that he gave up elsewhere with his next contract.
All I've heard is Jennings wants a multi-year deal, and the Astros are only willing to offer him one year.
Then there would be no point in offering him anything. He's going to get a major league deal from someone. I've heard that Texas is the most likely possibility. I have no problem offering him a 1 year deal with a team option. I don't think he'd take it, but, then again, it's not like offers are flying around for this guy. He's still out there. The longer that happens, the more likely the Astros can get him on the cheap.
