nice post, I really think we need to rebuild our rotation and fix the bottom of that lineup before we bring in a Carlos Lee type player.
8 years / 136 million is a boatload of cash...no way were we close to that. My guess is we offered 5 yrs/70-75. Cubs did themselves right by keeping Aramis and signing Sori. Sure hope we get Lee...and something other than Woody (especially if that something is Pettitte and Clemens coming back)
It sounds like Purpura is reaching real deep to aquire are next slugger Guys admit it were proably out of the Lee race also..Reason I say this is because several teams are going to be offering significant amounts larger than our reported offer starting at least 5 year's 12mill per... We all know Roger isn't going to comeback to a team that hasn't done anything BIG on our offense and loose games by not even scoring 1 run.
You would actually support giving a contract like the Cubs gave to Soriano? You must have forgotten that we are not LA, Chicago, NY, or Boston.
You do realize we gave Roger 23+ Million for half a season.. yes Yes I know it was prorated but damn that still alot of money. You are correct we don't have that type of market but after those 4 you bet we have that 5th spot.. All I'm saying is if we don't aquire a big bat this off-season let's tank it and and rebuild with some of the young guns we do have.. If not there is some big names to be made next year..... Miguel Cabrera.. Drayton get it done in 07 Now that is a Star Player we need..I would rather have Miguel than ManRam,Soriano or Lee.. Also he's young early 20's
Let's get Zito, resign Andy, go young in the outfield, improve team speed and look to upgrade at either at catcher or third
To be clear, you should really say 23+ Million for a season, prorated... or 11+ Million for half a season. Makes it look worse than it was when you say what you did..
I think 5 years at 12M is about what Lee is worth, but this is a crazy market this year. If you want him, you have to accept that you'll have to overpay. I think 5 years at 14M is more than fair. If he wants more than that, I say back away. He's not in that class. And at 30 years old, he's not going to get much better.
So in other words you'd support the Astros carrying a huge contract on a guy that will be pushing 40 when it's over? Hooray fiscal responsibility! I've been on the Astros case to get another bat just like everyone else, but the Astros have more problems than one missing bat. I'd rather they acquire another starter (or 2) and maybe a lower level bat or two rather than blow their entire offseason budget on one player. If the Schlubs want to spend $140 million on a bat when their starting pitchers are still falling apart, more power to them. If someone wants to give Lee a 6 or 7 year deal at $12-15 million per when it looks like they might need to stitch together movie screens to make his baseball uniforms by the end of the deal, hey great. That just doesn't strike me as smart baseball. BTW, the Astros were the first (or at least one of the first) team(s) to give offers to the big 2 bats. It's not Purp's fault that the market has blown completely out of proportion. If the Astros offered what would commonly be though of as "market value" (the rumored deal for Lee, somewhat more for Soriano) I don't fault them for not being able to land them.
i dont totally disagree but...to some extent, you have to keep up with the Jonses. While its not Purp's fault that the mkt exploded thanks to the Cubs...its not Lee's fault either. This offseason we have some serious coin to throw around...so if it takes a little more than a guy might be worth, I think we need to take a shot.
Yeah, it's too bad too. Because if it wasn't for teams like the Cubs, then Soriano would have jumped at $32 million over 7 years. Us and Oakland baby. Actually, Les and Mr. McLane got together on the Morey hiring. McLane is paying him cash under the table to be the assistant GM and getting at a discount since he is paying cash. Les also used this cash payment to lower the contract he gave Morey. And Morey is helping Purpura come up with appropriate contract values for these guys. They are trying to snag Aubrey Huff as a relief pitcher next year for $5 mill over 3 years. Morey figured out he has a lot of outfield assists so he knows he can pitch good relief. They're also going offer Adam Everett an 8 year extension at $7 mill per because he is the top defensive shortstop in the game and saves us so many runs. BTW, the rumor regarding Bonds is true. They are offering him $1 mill per year to get him as the strength and conditioning coach and physical trainer. They figure he can double as a good medic also. He gives a real good adrenaline shot.
Yeah jopatmc I'm sure that's EXACTLY what the Astros are planning to do! Genius! I'm sure that the Astros offered Soriano exactly that much money! Rediculous. I don't know where you get this "holier than thou" attitude you have towards the Astros front office (maybe a lifetime of calling in to 610 with "The Astros should trade Everett for Jeter and ARod and sign every free agent on the market!" takes) but I would think that the fact that the Astros have been winners without having to saddle themselves with a payroll equal to the GDP of a third world country (or two) would be worthy of praise, not condemnation. But I forgot, we should throw money at everyone and have a huge payroll since it'll make us winners right? Welcome to the Baltimore Orioles front office, I'm sure you'll make them a wonderful GM. And yet they're also not cheapskates. Despite what McLane detractors spout off at every opportunity, Drayton hasn't been shy about shelling out money for players when his baseball people have deemed it necessary. He managed to finish in the top what, 4 in payroll last year? Anyone can build a winner when you're willing to spend someone else's money and you ignore the rules of finance.
Are you on some people's ignore list or something? I can't believe Drayton's nephews (I think that's what I'll call Buck and MadMax from now on, you guys don't mind right?) haven't mentioned your posts in this thread. There's sarcasm, and then there's just being a whiny b****. I don't know what the Astros offered these guys, but I'm willing to bet they were at or above market value. Now that the Cubs have blown the market up, we'll see what happens, but in the mean time, chill the f*ck out.
If Lee is going to get that kind of a deal, forget that also. Re-sign Pettitte, sign Huff. Two options here: Platoon Huff and Ensberg at 3B, platoon Scott and Lane at RF, play Lance in LF and Lamb at 1B against righties, Lance at 1B and Burke in LF against righties. Or we can play a Huff/Willy/Scott outfield and play Ensberg full time at 3B and Lance fulltime at 1B and hope Morgan rebounds with a strong season. All of you who think that Adam Everett is the problem with the Astros lineup know nothing about baseball.
That is a terrible example ... You, I, and everyone else KNOWS that was a special situation (Drayton even said so himself). Roger broght plenty of revenue in and incresed the value of the team so that was a big reason they spent well over what they normally would with him on the team. Next time a Roger Clemens comes around, I'll be Drayton jumps at the opportunity, but until there is another Home Town Hall of Fame Top 5 pitcher ever on the market, you can't use his contract as an example of what the Astros should/would do. We'd all love to get the big free agents, but we are not Chi, NY, or Boston and that means we have to be smart with the money we spend. $136 Mil for 6 years on Soriano is not smart at all for this team, and it wouldn't be smart for us in the Lee situation either.
I agree with your assertion that Adam Everett is not the problem... or replacing him is not really the solution. BUT, there is no way we can go into next season without adding a bat. Your idea gives us the exact same team as last year. I personally think it's going to take more than a full year of Scott to rejuvinate our offense. Also, if we're betting on Ensberg to bounce back to 2005 form, we're crazy. We MAY be able to get by with last year's roster, but I personally am tired of watching this sluggish offense. It's time for some new blood and a big 'ole bat... even if it cost 12 mil over 5 years.
