Wow - what a questionable move this was, the guy is 40 years old. I would rather have Pettite back, or go with the young pitchers. Woody Williams....man....he was tough, but even St. Louis let him go... DD
Tommy John surgery takes like 18 months to recover from...best case he could possibly pitch the last month of the season. More likely he'll be ready come spring training in '08.
UGH !! He is younger than Roger by 3 yrs and he was 17-5 last year !! You call that a questionable move ? St. Louis let him go because they couldn't pay him what the Padres could !!
He was actually 12-5 last year, but it doesn't matter. I really like the signing. Remember the NLCS game where Kent hit the walkoff? Woody shut us down until they brought Isrinhausen in for the 9th.
it's totally not an either/or situation with andy. i believe we're making moves regardless of whether those 2 come back or not. if/when they come back the money will be there for them. the young kids will have chances once again, you just don't want to put all your cards in roy and 4 youngsters, especially after you just spent 100 million to bolster the offense. you have a pretty good idea of woody gives you and it's not too shabby.
i've gotta say i really like this signing.... regardless of, if andy and roger come back these 2 are big pieces in keeping us in contention. what have we lost this offseason? what have others gained that will make us chase them? scrubs signing soriano? st louis being st louis?
Actually, I believe that is exactly what we are asking. This signing means that the Astros have chosen not to pursue Clemens or Pettitte. While I still give Purpura credit for not sitting on his ass this year, you still have to ask yourself if we will be a better team with Lee and Woody vs. Clemens and Pettitte. Difficult call. That said, I say we go for the hat trick and sign one of our own back. THAT would make this off-season phenominal.
get pettite back in action for one or two more years and tell clements you are welcome any time. Till then give our young guns their chances. Oswalt, Pettite, woody, hirsh, buckholez/nieve
I don't get it... Why does this signing mean.. or why do some people think it means.. no more Rocket or Pettite..? Money? Management counting on Hirsh and Buckholtz more..? Didn't Roger say something about.. address weakness.. don't worry about me.. get better first? So now that we're better... somehow... he's not going to be back.. I thought Pettitte and Roger were going to be treated as a seperate part of the budget?
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/news/story?id=2674936 • Woody Williams also signed with the Astros on Friday, moving into a home field at which he has pitched successfully. Williams has nine career wins at Minute Maid Park, easily the highest total for any visiting pitcher in the seven-year history of that venue. The top three: Williams (9), Matt Morris (6) and Carlos Zambrano (6).6
I love this signing. Williams has been on my radar for awhile. I actually wanted the Astros to sign him back in 2001 when he was a free agent. I havent had a such a great Thanksgiving in a long time.
well at least someone agrees with me. but no one else seems to care about woody's HORRIBLE home/road splits the past 2 years. that's a major red flag for me, but whatever. also...i'm not too big on getting pettitte back. he's already stated that he is getting tired of playing baseball. he probably won't pass up a boatload of money if we offer it, but his motivation thru the season will be a big question.
last time I checked woody williams was not in the running for greatest pitcher of all time. and you need to check again woody did not have 17 wins. he was 12-5 which is very good for only 24 starts. I hope the signing works out but I can easily see woody missing 20 starts over the next 2 years.
You guys are overlooking the most important aspect of this deal... Woody adds strength to the bottom of our LINEUP. Everett, Ausmus, WOODY.... bat him 7th!
Find me a quote by management implying this, let alone saying it. Thanks in advance. The Chronicle article said we've still been in touch with Pettitte and Clemens, both before and after. Roger is gonna be his usual drama queen self, and Pettitte is just following his lead. Signing a solid vet like Woody makes sense for any team with starting pitching needs (which would be just about everyone). If you bring back the twins, sliding Woody into the 4 slot is pretty sweet. If you don't, he becomes the veteran anchor of a pitching staff that is pretty young. Justice reported (if you call what he does reporting) that Purpura is going to wait to hear from at least one of them before making any other moves affecting the starting rotation. Either way, my understanding is our payroll is in around the 80 mill range - enough that if we have the chance to add another impact pitcher (Pettitte, Clemens), we will.
