Like where else? Sometimes you have to overpay a little bit or you end up with nothing. Our hitting was pretty bad last year, it's worth the risk.
Except that our weak links on offense weren't really the corners of or if positions. It was up the middle. ausmus hit 230/.308/.285 last year and at his age he isn't going to get better. Signing Molina or some league average hitting catcher (let ausmus back-up/coach/ or serve as personal caddie for clemens and pettitte) and re-upping huff for ex. would be one option that would serve as a bigger offensive upgrade. Or how about trade for wells and earmark the money for resigning him. The main point is that it was the up-the-middle positions that were responsible for our poor offensive productions last year. Signing Lee really doesn't help that.
Not saying I don't want Huff back. I do. I just think this makes it less likely he actually will be back.
I'm saying that I don't think the Astros will re-sign Clemens (given the chance) at his huge payscale- 22m a year, prorated or no. I do think that any talk by him or his agent is just posturing and that if he does come back, it will be to the Astros. He's at a point in life where quality of life counts above anything else, and being able to play next to his house is important. But it won't happen unless he does give the 'Stros a hometown discount. Also, Andy has been doing the same damn posturing this offseason that Clemens did the past two years. Andy will be back for a full season unless he pulls a shocker and really does retire. As for resigining Burke, I say we do it unless he gets some insane money from another club. He's a damn good offensive force and will be perfect at 2nd after Biggio retires.
Baseball is such a joke...... Congrats on signing though. He's probably worth it considering the deals FA's have gotten so far this off-season.
Interesting to see they offered him a no trade clause for the 1st four years. I guess Tim didn't want another Beltran situation on his hands or more recently a Mike James situation. I like this move and I think the team could go far next season. I hope we can keep Huff.
I do. I also think this is too much money for a corner outfielder. This team has no shortage of corner outfield prospects. The bulk of the money should have been spent on positions of need. Pitcher, Catcher, CF.
We can't complain, we needed a big bat desperately and this was the only way we could gurantee that we got one. The only thing that bothers me, and keep in mind that hindsight is 20/20, but we could have had Beltran for that kind of money and one more year. When people say the Astros offered 104 million, was that for 6 years or 7? I'm pretty sure it was for 7.
I know what you're saying, but I truly believe Beltran would never have re-signed no matter what we offered. There always would have been one more demand we would have to meet. We got played.
One thing you are not looking at here everyone. In addition to his mad power, his ability to make contact and cut down on strikeouts is Pujols-esque. He averaged 1 strikeout per 10 AB. He also is a pretty good base stealer with deceptive speed. They also say he is better than adequate at handling the glove. I'm sure if V-Wells was available to sign like Soriano or Lee, the Stros would have gone after him first. To get Wells, we would have to give up young buck talent. I'd say lets work at getting another pitcher and perhaps, Benji Molina for at least 3 of 5 days in the starting lineup. But Lee is going to help us immensely. Give Timmy his props he finally landed a big fish. He's no longer a shadow of Hunsicker, he's big leagues now. This just in, Uncle Drayton wants to win baby ...
Not necessarily. Two years ago just having one hitter behind Berkman (Ensberg) hitting made a huge difference. If Ensberg can get rolling again along with Luke Scott or another bat we could be in for another ride.
I'm in the crowd of you gotta pay to get some, good signing, it's not my money going to him. If Uncle Drayton and Timmy P needed to throw that kind of money to get a top caliber player, so be it. I think what I'm waiting for on Timmy P is his career defining move or trade that will catapult the Astros to the next level, ala the Jeff Bagwell trade. Maybe this will be it.
Does anyone think Berkman might feel slighted by ALL the money Lee is about to receive? It almost makes Lee the "franchise player" now!!
I doubt it would matter to Lance if he has someone to protect him now. If Lee continues where he left off last season, I have no doubt in my mind that Lance will be the NL MVP* *-barring a miraculous, out of nowhere, break through a la Howard
Why does everyone keep saying " Get Molina ?" Isn't he a catcher ? yes he is and even if Ausmus hit .001 the Astros would never bench him because they love him and he brings in the chicks to the games. Ausmus has done a lot for this team but recently besides blocking balls in the dirt thats about it. He can't hit and he can't throw anyone out but the Stros will never bench or trade him. I love Ausmus but between he and Everrete at the bottom of the order our hitting just drops. At least Adam is one if not the best defensive shorstop in baseball...Hell he deserves a Gold Glove !! I would love to see Molina as well but I doubt it will happen unless Ausmus retires or starts his own escort service....
