Clemens has already said to go forward and make the moves that we need to make. Every hour that passes is so important. Other teams are making deals left and right while the Stros sit there with their hands in their pockets. I'm not to keen on giving up Backe and Qualls for Abreu. Abreu would be an awesome bat in our lineup with Berkman and Ensberg, but what if Clemens doesn't come back, then we've lost two legitimate starters! The Astros are in a tought spot right now. Purpura's really gonna have to work hard to bolster this lineup, while trying to save money in case Clemens decides to come back. Do ya'll think Clemens would take a paycut for another bat in the lineup. I know he didn't like all those shutout losses when he was on the mound.
We need a proven hitter in the lineup. As much as it hurts losing Backe, we need Abreu. As for Clemens, like I said in the other thread, we need to act as if he's not coming back and build our team. Prospects + everday players for Zito. I really think that Zito can replace Clemens in the rotation without a problem. Now the question is: Would Drayton open up his wallet for this? I'm not saying he's a cheapskate but he's picking up roughly 20 mil per year between Abreu and Zito I think.
"The Stros sit there with their hands in their pockets while other teams are making deals left and right... I'm not too keen on giving up Backe and Qualls for Abreu... If Clemens doesn't come back, then we've lost two (???) legitimate starters... Pupura's really gonna have to work hard to bolster this lineup... I'm not too keen on giving up Backe and Qualls for Abreu... I know Clemens didn't like all those shutout losses......" very tough to make sense of...
The answer is no. With Berkman and Oswalt's contracts kicking in, signing Ausmus back (it makes me shudder), Bagwell's albatross contract I just don't see it happening. I'm just getting tired of the whole Clemens situation, they just need to act as if he is not coming back, because he very well may not come back. IMHO, Clemens is playing it smart because he knows that if he signs now for $15-18 million that McLane will say that there is no money left to go out and get a bat, or that they'll have to rely on their young player and all the other jazz we've heard for the last couple of seasons. Clemens is forcing McLane's hand to improve the team.
To clarify more: If we were to get a bigger bat such as Abreu (for Backe and Qualls) that would be okay, because we would get a power hitter. However, if Clemens does not resign with the Stros, after we've made the trade for Abreu, then we would lose Clemens and Backe. Then I guess the possibility of Zito would come into play.
Great post. Didn't even stop to look that deep into it. Makes Clemens, possibly, even more of a hometown hero. Let's see your real intentions now, Drayton.
