of the fact that the Expos have some big name guys available. from espn: Bartolo Colon, Javier Vazquez, Vladimir Guerrero and Jose Vidro might be available for the right price. The Expos, operated by the commissioner's office, were told that their 2003 payroll will be about the same as 2002's payroll -- approximately $38 million -- and the team has concluded it will have to shed some payroll to keep to the budget. General manager Omar Minaya began calling other GMs on Dec. 5, telling them to think about proposals to bring to the winter meetings, which start Dec. 13 in Nashville, Tenn. Ok, we have good pitching with Oswalt, Miller, Hernandez, and now Reynolds is back. I think we really should try and get Guerrero. We have young talent that we can trade for him, maybe we can get rid of Hidalgo, though that might be harsh after the guy got shot. Anyways, do you baseball afficionados think that it would be possible to play Vlad in CF? He's pretty fast and he's got a cannon, but I guess that arm is better suited for throwing people out from RF. I thought Berkman did an pretty good job in center this year and don't feel that position is a problem, though if we can get our hands on a speedy fielder, we can put Berkman in left and bench Ward or trade him. It wouldn't hurt to snag one of those pitchers either, it would be nice if this team could have a big 3 in their rotation like the Yanks and A's do. I don't think Reynolds will have a good season this year and I'm still not sold on Saarloos. Anyways, that just MHO, I'd like to hear what you guys think.
i'd love to add bartolo colon and have an amazing front 3 but unfortunately kidrock is probably right with drayton and all.
Do you ever get sick of being proven wrong? Refman, Major, mrpaige...who wants to take this one? I'd ignore it, let him stew in his ignorance.
I have given you facts and numbers from verifiable sources. Major has done the same. You just want to toss around insults..pretending to understand the economics of baseball. Thus...the only thing left to say is...
How about... Expos get: Carlos Hernandez Daryle Ward Another player Astros get: Vlad Guerrero Bartolo Colon
Last year Vlad made $8 million and Colon made $6million. No chance we take on that payroll even if the Expos accept that kind of lopsided offer. Plus I think Colon is in the last year of his deal so free agency after next season. I dunno, maybe if you threw in Hidalgo and Redding too. Redding, Hernandez, Ward, and Hidalgo sounds good, maybe throw in one more guy like Lidge.
I love that deal. I'd be willing to let ALL of those guys go to get Colon and Guerrero. The problem is that they wouldn't be willing to take Hidalgo's salary. But we could give them Redding, Hernandez, Ward and Lidge. Given that we won't be paying Mlicki, we will be paying Reynolds at a GREATLY reduced rate, we won't be paying Loretta and we won't be paying Gordon...that may bring us to the $14M we need for Vlad and Colon.
Lidge is a throw in type I think, pretty old for a prospect. They might want Whiteman or Burke or one of those guys instead. Hey, get your buddy Drayton on the phone. Let's get this deal done!
I think what we have decided is that it is conceivable that we can get the deal done. We just have to throw them enough players for it to make payroll sense. We've got enough players the calibur of the ones we listed to where we wouldn't really have to give anything up to get 2 high quality players in return. Did we just agree on something?
I don't think the Expos will want our trash. Offering a package of Hidalgo and Ward is not going to work, mainly because of Hidalgo's price tag and the general suckiness of the 2 players. However, if we snuck in a few good prospects, we could have a (small) shot. I hate to say it, but we might have to give up Jason Lane. A trade of Lane, Hernandez, Adam Everett, and Ward might just do it. Then again, we are talking about Vlade Guerrero here, arguably a top 5 player in the majors. Hmmmm, now that I think about it, Drayton might have to throw in some cash with that deal, too. There are going to be some crazy offers from other teams for those two. You just know the BoSox, Braves, Dodgers, Rangers, Mets, and Yankees will overpay to get 'em. If we don't keep pace with those teams (and knowing Drayton, we won't), we'll be out of it very quickly. Besides, Guerrero is a free agent next year, and you know, after the whole rent-a-Randy Johnson ordeal, that Drayton will want assurances that Guerrero will resign with the team. I see that as a deal breaker.... Ah, but we can dream, can't we? Take a risk, McClane! The future is now! Biggio and Bagwell ain't getting any younger!
Thats too true. Thats why more people are rooting for the Rockets and Texans now. I know the Texans and Rockets aren't world beaters but atleast they attempt to get better. The Astros have the same tired lineup they had last year.
What was the last big trade the Rockets made? Francis in '99? Hmm...that's one year sooner than Randy Johnson! Those b*stard Astros and Drayton McClane! How dare they have gone one year longer than the awesome Rockets in not signing or trading for a top level player!
It's a shame that you contend that fans don't root for a team that has contended for the division title (finishing either 1st or 2nd) every year (with the exception of 2000) for the past 9 years. It also seems that the Rockets are still having a tough time attracting fans to their games in Houston, so I don't think the city is in love with them yet. Some folks may also contend that it is hard to root for a team that changes the personnel every year or two.
Apples and oranges. the Texans and Rockets have the benefit of something the Astros don't have...a salary cap. It is absolutely guaranteed that in the NFL and NBA there will not be a maverick owner or 2 who bow the lid off the salary scale. There will never be an NBA or NFL owner to outspend a team by $100M. Sadly, that is the situation in baseball. Give Drayton a salary cap and I'd be willing to bet that he is as competitive as anybody.
