Channel 13 just had a snipt from Kent: "You media guys are such suckers. Yall will jump all over anything". lol
Yeah, I caught that too. That guy is awesome. He hates the media so much. Anyways, what do you mean by rental? Is he going back to his old team at the end of the season?
Does that mean he has no desire to sign with us, or the Astro's have no desire to offer the huge contract....or duh, he wants to test the FA to see what the most money he can get will be.
initial deal falls apart! Damn http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/front/2643540 Initial talks on Beltran trade fail Astros continue to pursue Royals fielder By BRIAN McTAGGART The Astros nearly reached a blockbuster three-team deal Tuesday night that would have brought center fielder Carlos Beltran to Houston and sent closer Octavio Dotel and a minor-leaguer to the Oakland A's. The trade fell apart when Kansas City and Oakland couldn't agree on their portion of the deal, but multiple Astros sources confirmed Wednesday the Astros, along with a handful of other teams, are still in pursuit of Beltran. Beltran, a switch-hitter, is considered one of the top players available on this summer's trading block. He's a free agent at the end of this season, and the last-place Royals are desperately trying to trade him for prospects. Astros general manager Gerry Hunsicker wouldn't confirm nor deny the club is trying to land Beltran, who would give the Astros another dangerous bat in addition to upgrading their shaky outfield defense. "Everybody knows we've got a lot invested in this club this year in particular and conversations lead usually nowhere, but you can't get to first base unless you get to the plate," Hunsicker said. "You find yourself in many conversations any day now." If the Astros are able to work out a deal for Beltran, they likely wouldn't be able to afford to keep him following this season. But the club believes this year presents their best chance to win a championship and would be willing to bring in Beltran in the short term. He's due to make $9 million this season. The Astros shocked baseball by landing lefthander Randy Johnson at the trading deadline in 1998, and he helped the Astros win the National League Central by going 10-1 in August and September. Johnson signed with Arizona following that season. Oakland general manager Billy Beane has expressed interest in bolstering his bullpen before the July 31 trading deadline. The A's have a bevy of top prospects in the minor leagues, but are in need of a closer. Dotel is in his first full season as closer and has converted 14 of 17 save opportunities. Brad Lidge, currently the Astros' setup man, would inherit the role as closer if Dotel is dealt. "I came here in a trade from the Mets and the one thing I can say is I might leave here in a trade, too," Dotel said. "I don't really know nothing about it. People have been calling. I woke up today and my agent called me and said he heard something, but nothing for sure. They're doing that because they want to make this team better." Beltran, 27, entered Wednesday batting .280 with 14 home runs and 50 RBIs and 14 stolen bases. He hit .307 last year with 26 home runs and 100 RBIs and was the AL Rookie of the Year in 1999. "He's not just my best player, he's one of the best in baseball," said Royals manager Tony Pena, who Wednesday didn't acknowledge the trade. "To me, he hasn't reached his full potential. I believe that." Beltran's arrival in Houston would force the Astros to move Craig Biggio from center field. Biggio would likely either move to left field while Lance Berkman is shifted to right, or he could return to second base. Biggio came up through the organization as a catcher before moving to second base in 1992, where he won four Gold Gloves in 11 seasons. He went to the outfield prior to the 2003 season when the Astros signed Jeff Kent. "I can't worry about it," Biggio said. "Whatever team he's going to go to is going to help. I can't worry about it. Whatever is going to happen is going to happen. I've moved around to a bunch of different positions already because they told me to do it. We'll see what happens." It's unlikely the Astros would ask Kent to move to third, considering he hasn't played there since 1996. Kent, who sat out his second consecutive game Wednesday with a jammed finger, shrugged off any affects a possible trade would have on him. "I don't buy into much of that," he said. "I haven't even thought about it. I don't know much about Beltran. I don't think Biggio wants to go to second nor me go to third. I think we want to continue to play and work hard and if we add players we add players. We're all in here to do what it takes."
No you don't know what you talking about. If you believe Beltran will resign with the Stros if they trade for him then you are insane. No way they will make a better offer than the Yanks and the RedSox this offseason and plus he knows for a fact he will be on a LEGIT world series contender with one of those teams.
Has this been stated by the Astros organization? If Kent decided to take a nice paycut would Burke still be the man?
Have you seen the numbers Burke has put up this year? .321 Avg, 10 HR, 19 stolen bases, .917 OPS! The dude can rake... in fact, he may put up better numbers than Kent straight-up. It'd be different it Kent was like Thome, hitting HR's all over the place... but Kent is right now a better than average 2B, who happens to be the only slugging 2B in the NL right now. (making him the all-star). Trust me... this club is very very very excited that Burke finally found his stroke, after they had their doubts his first year at Round Rock. Hmm... maybe Gary Gaetti had something to do with that. Hmm... Richard Hidalgo seems to be swinging the bat with much more confidence now. Get rid of freakin Harry Spielman... what Astro has gotten better as a hitter during his tenure? (actually, one... Berkman).
Don't know if anyone has posted this article yet... but the 'stros are out of it... http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/n...623&content_id=778056&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp
We're only keeping him for the remainder of the season? I know he's good but I don't think he's the missing piece.
Interesting comment about Biggio and Kent playing different positions... I would like to see the 'stros strengthen CF even if it were to mean moving Kent back to 3rd and Biggio back to 2nd...
I saw the article regaring the deal hitting a snag with the A's and KC...Sh*t... Beltran would have been awesome to have here...
I have this... feeling... we're still in the running for Beltran, and most likely at the front of the pack. That's all I can say...
Wasn't there an article somewhere that said that the A's GM balked at Dotel's salary? I thought OD was pretty cheap? I'm confused... If that's all the snag was, I'm still somewhat optimistic. We've seen that, when his mind is set on something, Hunsicker usually gets is done (i.e. outbidding everyone for Big Unit, Pedro Astacio).
