Ausmus could have signed with the Padres before this season after the Astros refused the team option on him; instead he chose to take his player's option with Houston which paid him a couple million less. If he were that interested in the Padres, you would think that he would have at least negotiated with them this year. Also, Ausmus is 34 NOT 32 as the report indicates.
I hoep he stays. I don't want to see our pitching go to crap. There's a reason why we traded to get him back after we made the mistake of trading him away.
If Ausmus leaves it'll be a blow to the young pitching but we have a heck of a player in J. Buck waiting in the wings. I, for one can't wait to see that guy in the lineup everyday. AC
If he wants to go, it is his right. Javvy Lopez is reportedly available -- and a three way would suit me fine.
The padres reporters have nothing else to talk about apparently, considering their team is the worst team in baseball so far. I'll worry about this when I see it. Plus if SD wants to spend big bucks on brad, be my guest. I like him and all, but for him to earn big bucks he has to hit better than .200-.260, something he isn't really doing this year and hasn't done throughout his career.
No way in hell we re-sign Ausmus. Dont have enough $$$ to keep him here. Kiss Wagner goodbye as well. The Astros are essentially a farm team for other larger market teams to feast on. Untill there is a salary cap, things are not likely to change any time soon.
Uhm, we probably overpaid him to keep him here this summer. He's making a considerable amount, considering what he'd get on the open market. We already gave Wagner an 8 million dollar a year contract, so . . .
I believe Dotel's contract will be up at the end of this year so we will probably lose him. I would rather keep Dotel then Wagner though.
ausmus is one of my favorite players and we never should have let him go int he first place. then again, i could say that about alot of our players we let go. im tired of being "competitive". mcclane is such a winner. hes so dedicated to putting the absolute best out there. if we splurged like the yankees, wed have won like 3 world series by now. god how many awesome players have we let go? besides jose lima of course see, if the yankees werent busy ruining baseball, i wouldnt be badmouthing our owner like this...
psh. "we" dont have enough money??? MLB has no cap!!! our owner "doesnt have enough money". man its frustrating for me talking baseball. sorry. its awful and stupid and i hate it and its stupid and its awful
Ausmus is gone. We are going younger, they are promoting some guy, forgot his name. They say he can handle a staff and hit pretty well.
Dotel is still not a free agent. He is still arbitration eligible. That being said, if Lidge remains healthy all year, I would not be surprised to see the Astros trade Dotel. There are a number fo teams that could use a good closer.
Aside from Johnson, Kile and Alou, what other "awesome" players have the Astros lost without compensation in the past 10 years? According to your profile, you are 19 years old. Since 1994 (when you were 10) the Astros have finished 1st or 2nd in their division every year except 1 (2000). The Astros have put a quality product on the field year in and year out. Their players act like professionals and generally don't get into trouble and in the rare instance that they do (Lugo), they are dealt with quickly. The years the Astros did make the playoffs, their hitting went south. That is not McLane's fault. You should learn to appreciate having a quality team to follow; a team that is almost always in the pennant race in late September; a team with character.
I agree, but if Lidge stays healthy and the Astros don't plan on eventually (next year) starting him, then they have 3 guys that could close. Lidge is the last they would trade because he is cheap for the next 3-4 years. They have Wagner tied up through 2004 and carry a club option for 2005 and most teams think 8+ million a year is too much for a closer. That leaves Dotel. So many teams need bullpen help, you would have to think the Astros could reap a windfall by trading Dotel. I would think it is almost a given that if the Astros are out of the race in July (doubtful), Dotel will be gone.
No doubt..for all the b****ing that goes on here about the Astros and McLane, he has put a compelling product on the field year in and year out. You could live in Kansas City...Montreal...Pittsburgh...Cincy...and suck year in and year out. Or places like Philly...Toronto...Baltimore...Dallas...that have had a bit of success over a brief period of time. But unless you live in Atlanta or New York you won't find many franchises that have been as consistently competitive as the Houston Astros.
Buck perhaps? His bat seems a bit weak, but he's been rushed. We'll have to see how he pans out. The only thing I can find on Dotel's contract status is this: Octavio Dotel - signed a 1-year contract for the 2003 season for $1.6 million dollars.
Buck can't hit? Ausmus can? Dotel is still 'controlled' by 'stros for either 1 or 2 more seasons after this one. They need to lock up that arm.
