Astros Offseason thread

thats an even better point...tejada is probably the better SS

 

and with jeter, it wasn't just about how he fielded the position. it's because he was derek freaking jeter. a demi-god in NY. a fan favorite for years. he wasn't going anywhere.

 

You guys's points are all valid. I was thinking about more that just A-Rod, but I concur with you.

 

I seriously can't believe anyone thinks the Astros should have offered Clemens arbitration. The Astros are trying to get by on the cheap? Uh, no. Clemens was already the highest paid pitcher in baseball last year - if it went to arbitration you would be looking at atleast $20mill/year for him this year. For a guy who broke down last year, who will likely break down again this year, and doesn't pitch past the 7th inning in any of his starts, that's just not a good investment.

Roger was key in these last two runs, but you don't just hand the guy a blank check. The Astros still have a business to run and other holes to fill.

 

Here's a link of latest Tejada news.....Rosenthal mentions Tigers/Cubs/Phillies/Angels....but not Astros.

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/5224028

While the agent for Red Sox left fielder Manny Ramirez says that Ramirez remains open to a trade, the Orioles instead could deal shortstop Miguel Tejada for Phillies outfielder Bobby Abreu, FOXSports.com has learned.

The Phillies have proposed an Abreu-for-Tejada exchange with the intention of playing Tejada at third base. The Orioles want pitching in addition to Abreu, according to sources with knowledge of the negotiations, raising the possibility of an expanded deal.
Meanwhile, Ramirez's agent, Greg Genske, told FOXSports.com Thursday night that Ramirez would consider waiving his no-trade clause for the Orioles or another team, discounting Ramirez's statement to ESPNDeportes.com that he was "staying in Boston."

The Tejada-for-Ramirez talks, while stalled, are not dead, sources say. The same is true of the talks between the Cubs and Orioles regarding Tejada, which also are stalemated but could revive quickly. Other teams, such as the Angels and Tigers, also could be in the mix.

The latest intrigue over Ramirez comes after he told ESPNDeportes.com, "There will be no trade. I'm staying in Boston, where I'm familiar with the system and where I have a lot of friends, especially David Ortiz."

Genske, however, said he called Ramirez after learning of the slugger's remarks, and Ramirez denied making the comments.

"If Boston is able to work out a trade with Baltimore or another team, Manny is still open to making a move," Genske said.

The Orioles reportedly have rejected the Red Sox's offer of Ramirez and right-hander Matt Clement for Tejada, seeking additional pitching or third-base prospect Andy Marte in the deal.

If the Phillies acquired Tejada, they would gain the option of flipping him for a top-of-the-rotation starter, either in a three-way trade or separate deal; the Cubs, for example, have shown a willingness to trade right-hander Mark Prior for Tejada, but not Abreu. However, the Cubs would want a starting pitcher back for Prior — they've asked the Orioles for left-hander Erik Bedard - and the Phillies probably lack the depth to make that type of move.

Abreu, who turns 32 in March, is not as accomplished a hitter as Ramirez, but he's less expensive, less controversial and two years younger. In addition, the Orioles almost certainly would prefer to trade Tejada to a club outside of their division rather than the Red Sox.

After losing free-agent outfielder Jeromy Burnitz to the Pirates, the Orioles' outfield currently consists of Jay Gibbons, Luis Matos and Jeff Conine. If they traded Tejada for Abreu or Ramirez, they could make a separate deal for another shortstop or sign a free agent such as Alex Gonzalez.

For the Phillies, Tejada would represent a major upgrade at third over David Bell, who is signed for next season at $4.5 million and perhaps could be traded for a comparably priced outfielder. Tejada, who turns 30 on May 25, has only played shortstop during his nine-year major-league career. However, Tejada is pushing for a trade to a contender, and Alex Rodriguez agreed to move from short to third when he wanted to leave the Rangers for the Yankees.

Earlier this off-season, the Phillies sought to trade Abreu for a top starting pitcher, inquiring about Prior, Bedard and Dodgers' Derek Lowe, among others. The Phillies never obtained the pitcher they wanted, but did sign free-agent right-hander Ryan Franklin to a one-year, $2.6 million contract on Thursday. They continue to search for either another starter or setup man, which could make it difficult for them to include pitching in any trade with the Orioles.

Like Ramirez, Abreu has the right to reject any trade. He is guaranteed $28 million over the next two seasons, plus a $2 million buyout for 2008 if his $16 million option is not exercised. The Orioles' roster includes three other native Venezuelans - third baseman Melvin Mora, catcher Ramon Hernandez and reliever Jorge Julio. But Abreu could require that the Orioles to pick up his '08 option before he would approve a trade.

Ramirez is guaranteed $57 million over the next three years, and his contract also includes two option years, each worth $20 million. He, too, could insist that the Orioles or another team effectively extend his contract. A deal involving either Abreu or Ramirez almost certainly would necessitate the opening of a 72-hour negotiating window to resolve such issues.

Another obstacle to consider: Abreu, Ramirez and Tejada would gain the right to demand a trade at the end of next season if they were dealt in the middle of multi-year contracts. A player who makes such a demand can become a free agent if his request is not met by the following March 15, though players rarely are willing to take that step and forfeit their remaining salary. The Diamondbacks traded pitcher Javier Vazquez to the White Sox after he filed a trade demand in November.

 

Just found this from today's Baltimore Sun.....Pup is saying deal for Tejada is unlikely

http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/...y?coll=bal-sports-baseball&ctrack=1&cset=true

The Orioles are no closer to making a blockbuster deal involving shortstop Miguel Tejada, but they are progressing with talks that soon may yield them a new outfielder.

According to one industry source, the Orioles are "closing in" on a deal that would send a minor leaguer to the Chicago Cubs for center fielder Corey Patterson.

Club officials would not confirm specifics of the proposed trade, but one source suggested the minor leaguer would not be one of the team's "top five or so prospects."

Patterson, 26, was once considered the jewel of the Cubs' farm system -- combining speed, power and strong defense in center field. In half a season in 2003, he hit 13 homers, stole 16 bases and batted .298. The next year he hit 24 homers and stole 32 bases, but his average dropped to .266.

Last season, he batted .215 with a dismal .254 on-base percentage and only 13 homers. A free swinger, he struck out 118 times in 451 at-bats last year and spent time in the minors.

If acquired, Patterson likely would compete with incumbent Luis Matos and prized prospect Nick Markakis for the Orioles' starting center-field job.

Patterson previously had been mentioned as a potential component in any Cubs deal involving Tejada. The Cubs, among others, remain interested in the Orioles' star shortstop, but nothing is imminent, team vice president Jim Duquette reiterated.

A few more teams have entered the mix, Duquette said, but wouldn't offer names. The Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Phillies, Houston Astros and Cubs have been the most widely reported suitors for Tejada.

However, Astros general manager Tim Purpura said yesterday that his team -- which recently signed free-agent outfielder Preston Wilson and has committed $65 million to six other players -- probably couldn't take on the $48 million owed to Tejada.
"Right now we're up against our [payroll] numbers; actually, we're a bit above our numbers," Purpura said. "And I believe it would be tough to add more payroll like [Tejada's salary]."

 

That's unfortunate if we have a package that Baltimore would be willing to take for Tejada...because Tejada is one of those guys worth stretching a payroll for...especially since 18 mil of that is Bags' and he will be off the payroll next year. It would only be a double dip for one season.

 

He "doesn't" feel like the Stros can add that to the payroll.

That's it Timmy . . . make them think we are not interested . . . cause if they thought TP might be interested, then there's no chance. At least this way, there still might be a shot. At this raet, anything that we want passes us by. Play hard to get . . . that's the ticket.

If Preston is our move this off season . . . it will be a long season.

 

that's funny, because last season all i heard was how matt lawton was the difference between making the playoffs or not. i remember b****ing and moaning when preston went to the Nats.

 

Wonder how McLane feels about it? It was McLane, let's recall, who intimated on more than occasion that some "exciting things" were in the works. Hope they haven't all played out yet.

 

Oswalt's bulldozer was probably mclane's "exciting things" so to speak. That bulldozer was the final capper in the payroll.

 

Purp will be on MLB radio in a few minutes...

http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/radio/index.jsp

 

Not allowed at work.

Summary, anyone?

 

Can someone post if he says anything interesting...I'm on a weak wireless signal and I can't get the webcast

 

Purpura basically said that the Astros are in a good situation offensively with quality depth and he said the reason they didn't re-sign Vizcaino was to give Burke more ABs. He thinks most clubs are holding pat and that there may be more movement during Spring Training. Basically, it doesn't sound like there's anything about to happen.

 

He also mentioned that the Bagwell situation is a real question mark. He also went on to say that he expects the '06 team to be "competitive" with the real opportunity being in '07 when Bagwell comes off the books.

 

He liked the young pitching and how it was coming along, so there is no need to go out and sign some average pitcher to a long deal and overspend on someone that isn't a real improvement over the young pitchers we have. He liked are situtation down the road with these young players. Didn't sound like he was looking to trade away Burke, Lane, Taveras, or other young players.

 

Never mind..i got it

I missed the very beginning but I didnt hear anyting about Tejada when i got the feed....but he sounded like we were pretty much standing pat and he was happy having extra bats rather than to trade them away.

Also said he has no idea about Clemens or Bags.

 

I heard an interview with Pat Gillick on local radio this morning. When asked about the Tejada/Abreu rumors, Gillick simply said, "I can't comment on trades." It was his only one sentence answer in the interview.

However, the interviewer cleverly followed up with, "Do you expect to make any major deals before Spring Training?" Gillick immediately responded that he did not.

All pretty cryptic, but it sounded to me like Gillick doesn't have any irons in the fire. Didn't stop sports radio in Philly from speculating all day about an Abreu/Tejada trade followed by dealing Rollins to a team like the Red Sox for a starting pitcher (i.e. Clement). But that was all just dreamcasting.

 

No it won't, unless you count the fact it's 162 games. The Astros are a strong National League team with or without Clemens. Wilson gives them the Bagwell insurance they did not have last year. He makes this offense above average at least. They have one of the best pen's in baseball and a front two in the starting rotation as good as any in baseball. They also have proven continually they can find guys to competently fill the 4th/5th spots in the rotation over the years, fairly easily.

This team could win the Central this year imho, and at least be right there in the WC chase yet again. And this is not factoring in a potential midseason Rocket re-launch.