Given that the #5 starter will pitch only about 15 games in half a season, you're exaggerating a bit...or a lot. Astros record in games started by the kids in the 4-5 spots last year was 4 games under .500. That's not bad at all, considering that your goal out of those 2 spots is to break even (and get some innings so the pen doesn't wear out, which they were all poor at, but that should improve with experience). 11-13 Wandy 0-2 Albers 7-12 Buchholz 5-4 Hirsh 2-1 Sampson 7-4 Nieve
there is now way garland is worth what we are giving them... again the astros are giving up way too much...too soon get rid of jason lane somehow...not part of our future outfield...
From JDJO Garland deal stalls; Pettitte remains in talks Andy Pettitte's agents left the winter meetings Thursday afternoon just like most fans, wondering if the Astros had pulled off a deal to acquire righthanded starter Jon Garland from the Chicago White Sox.
Dec. 7, 2006, 1:17PM Garland deal stalls; Pettitte remains in talks By JOSE DE JESUS ORTIZ Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. – Andy Pettitte’s agents left the winter meetings Thursday afternoon just like most fans, wondering if the Astros had pulled off a deal to acquire righthanded starter Jon Garland from the Chicago White Sox. Just hours after the Astros were extremely optimistic about landing Garland, it appeared as though the Astros’ trade talks for Garland hit a serious snag and possibly even died. The status of the deal is unclear, because Astros general manager Tim Purpura and his staff have not returned messages from the media. Moreover, White Sox general manager Kenny Williams told reporters he was headed to the airport at about 1 p.m. There are plenty of rumors circulating in the lobby at Walt Disney’s Swan and Dolphin Resort, including one that the trade may have stalled because of medical concerns over one of the players the Astros offered. SI.com reported that the deal fell through because Taylor Buchholz failed a physical. The White Sox might have shied away from the deal because of questions about Buchholz, but it is not true that he failed a physical, according to Buchholz. Buchholz says he hasn't had a physical since last spring training. He had right shoulder surgery after the 2004 season and was still recovering at the start of the 2005 season, but he hasn't had shoulder problems since. He did have tendonitis in his right middle finger for about two months this past season. "My shoulder's been great," Buchholz said. "The only thing that gave me problems was my middle finger. It was bothering me for about two months, from right around the All-Star break. But I was fine at the end of the season. I haven't had a physical. One thing is certain, however: Pettitte remains in negotiations to re-sign with the Astros and New York Yankees. “Andy just decided to play yesterday, and all major league teams have been exploring options for quite some time, including the Astros and Yankees,” Randy Hendricks, who represents Pettitte and Clemens, said via e-mail from the Orlando Airport. “I heard from two other teams who want to make an offer for Andy. So things move for different people at different paces. “It is up to each team or individual to make the decision it believes to be in its/his best interests. I do not have a forecast for the outcome. I can say our talks with the Astros have been cordial, as always.” On Thursday morning, Astros president of baseball operations Tal Smith said that a deal was close for Garland. Smith indicated,at that time, that a press conference was planned. Garland, 27, was 18-7 with a 4.51 ERA last year with the White Sox, the team the righthander helped lead to the World Series title over the Astros in 2005. He is 82-68 over his career. Garland will earn $10 million in 2007 and $12 in 2008, which might mean there won't be room for Pettitte on the Astros' budget for next season if a deal is revived for Garland.
Jason Hirsch alone could be more valuable to our rotation this year than Jon Garland would. I really think Hirsch will be a key guy for us. So, definitely glad that deal appears to have fallen through. Garland has been inconsistent his whole career, and even though he has been in the AL and has a chance of being better in the NL I don't think it's worth giving up Hirsch.
thats good news. Hirsch is good and parting with Willy T, knowing the astros luck sounded like a Kenny Lofton redux
This is why I don't think Hirsch was involved with the trade. If he was involved, I don't think that the White Sox would have a problem with it.
I really hope this deal is dead. Buchholz, Hirsh and Willy T is too much to give, imo, for a Jon Garland. This is a type of deal where if you throw in a Hunter Pence on top of what is already there, one would expect a Dontrelle Willis in return. I haven't been able to keep up, but I heard mention of Jake Peavy out of San Diego; which is someone who I would rather have 8 days a week over Garland.
This story was flat out "made up" by Jesus. #1 No GM ever goes on the record with a trade before it gets done. #2 I know for a fact that the scribe in question here has a horrific relationship with Tal Smith. There isn't a chance in hell that Tal would help him with anything after he was accused of being a racist in the paper 2 years ago. #3 Kenny Williams gathered the Chicago media together to call BS on the trade and said it would take a hell of alot more to get John Garland. Houston's leading information source occasionally needs to slap the knuckles of irresponsible reporters. Astros fans had better hope this doesn't F up the Petitte negotiation.
hopefully the deal doesn't go through if it's those three. hirsh and buchholz is too much when either of them has the ability to be just as good as garland. the original deal would be fine with me but apparently that has no chance. has zito signed anywhere?
Just to clarify the deal was supposedly Bucholtz and Willy for Garland. THere was speculation that the Sox wanted the deal to be Hirsh and Willy. But it was never mentioned that it would have been all 3.
Is that a joke? I think you greatly overrated the talent you are talking about. Willy is a bad offensive player with speed. Buchholz is a back of the rotation starter with good stuff and an injury history that has done nothing of note on the major league level. Hirsh is a good prospect, but not a top tier prospect a la a Phil Hughes or Homer Bailey, etc. Pence isn't a huge prospect either. You offer those 4 for a guy like Dontrelle Willis and you won't have a very long conversation.
This is 100% correct. Tal had to be physically restrained from going after JdJO in the Stros clubhouse after that article. Don't see any reason this would affect the Pettitte situation, though.
The only way any of this affects Pettitte is if it means the Astros budget doesn't have room for him after a deal. I think Andy either wants to go back to NY where he loved playing and with the people he loved playing with, or he will decide to stay in Houston with his best friend Roger and his family and stay in the hometown he loves. He's torn between two loves. I don't this is a case of who strokes his ego the most or who pays him the most money. It's a personal decision he has to make about where he wants to be. And make no mistake about it. Houston may be his hometown, but Andy Pettitte LOVED New York. His wife hated him being there, but he loved every minute of it. He loved the big stage, he loved his teammates, he loved his manager, he loved the city. ANd he likewise loves Houston.
Maybe you mis-heard or she mis-spoke? She wrote this on Tuesday: The projected rotation, of course, begins with Roy Oswalt, 29 years old and in the prime of his career. After that, it's 40-year-old Woody Williams, and a slew of candidates who fall into one of two categories: a) less than one year of big league experience (Jason Hirsh, Matt Albers, Taylor Buchholz, Fernando Nieve) or b) a decent amount of time in the big leagues, but without much success (Wandy Rodriguez).
