Looked like Lee was worried the jersey wasn't going to fit Ok, I'm tired of waiting around for Pettitte and Clemens, I think the Astros should go after Randy Wolf. Oswalt, Wolf, Williams, Hirsh, fill in.
I just feel like the Astros are throwing money around like crazy compared to Drayton's historicly conservative offseasons. I don't think Clemens will be back... Let me revise that. He won't be back at the payscale he was at last year. EDIT- Just to expand on that- I can see us resigning Huff and Pettite. We get more offense to make up for the 1/2 season of lost Clemens pitching.
Sorry, I was referring to another member who was accusing the Astros of totally lowballing Lee when the first offer, before the Soriano signing, was at about 12 million per year.
Do you think Clemens won't be back at the same pay because Drayton will tighten his wallet or because he (Clemens) won't take a hometown discount. If it's the former, I think it's been said time and again that they pretty much make their budget w/o Clemens in mind. If it's the latter, well Clemens hasn't taken a discount since his first year. And true this past season he only made 12 million but it was prorated (based on 20). If Clemens and Pettite want to come back to the team, they will be on the team, period. As for Huff, I think signing Lee makes him a little more expendable. I don't see the Astros going after him if he's demanding a lot; they'll just sit back and go with Ensberg hoping he could rebound.
Looks like it is put up or shut up time for drayton . . . gut says that roger will be back mid season, andy will sign a one year deal, and we might even make a trade or two. We will be tops in payroll for another year, cause drayton will give roger whatever he wants. roy andy woody hirsch roger/filler/trade
Congrats to Timmy P, this had to be done. Now all he needs to do is resign Pettitte and Huff and get Clemens to commit to a half season. I guess the lineup and rotation will look like. 1. Taveras - CF 2. Burke/Biggio - 2B 3. Berkman - 1B 4. Lee - LF 5. Scott - RF 6. Huff - 3B 7. Everett - SS 8. Ausmus - C 1. Oswalt 2. Pettitte 3. Clemens 4. Williams 5. Hirsh
anyone else think that the money thrown around today means it's more likely ensberg will be playing third than huff???
according to his every other year mvp type performance, i think he is due for a another good year, although i want to keep and start huff
I think it definitely makes signing Huff a lot less likely and important. If we can get him at a reasonable rate, I'd definitley go for it. Based on signings thus far this offseason, I doubt that he is going to go for what he is actually worth as other teams will get desperate to make some move. If we can get Andy back next year, I think we are going to be in good shape. Its just going to be real nice to have a strong right handed bat to throw out there against leftys.
You guys sure have short memories. Before Scott and Huff came on the scene, this team had absolutely insane splits. Resigning Huff is very much the #2 priority, I don't want to see this team be righty loaded again.
lol, a lot of folks complain that McClain doesn't spend money. then when he acquires someone the caliber of Carlos Lee, they complain that it was too much.
hell yes! Nice little thanksgiving present for Berkman! Now i'm not sure where we go on Huff because Mike Lamb. He did pretty well at third this year. there is your platoon at third lamb and ensberg. Tavers Lamb Berkman Lee Scott Biggio Everette Ausmus Pitcher
Carlos Lee, career: .286/.340/.495 Astros LF, 2006: .281/.345/.454 Astros RF, 2006: .264/.371/.495 Average NL LF, 2006: .276/.357/.470 We just paid 16 1/2 mil a year for an over 30 yr old average hitting corner outfielder. He'll improve the team next year but not as much as most of you think.
And it was a career year in the walk year of a contract...image that. He's only slugged over 500 twice in career. He's on the wrong side of 30 with body type and skill set that traditionally doesn't age well. and he's horrible defensively and stuck in the outfield now that berkman is set at 1b. If he keeps his improvement from last year he'll help, but, imo the money could have used much more efficiently elsewhere.
So with Lee playing left, Scott will get the chance in RF correct? He's definitely earned it and we need his bat. I am really starting to get excited about this lineup.
Yeah I'm not saying it is so much that we don't need Huff, as much as we probably won't be able to afford him after this Lee deal (assuming he is able to get an inflated price like everyone else). While he would be real nice to have, I don't think it would make or break the season either.
