Biggio is *finished*. Post-injury, he's a below average second baseman and a bottom 25% outfielder offensively. He is 37 years old and on a rapid decline. This guy needs to be led out to pasture, not signed to a longer deal. When we signed Kent I figured that spelled the end for Biggio. Apparently not. ============================================= Biggio, McLane plan talks Contract extension topic of meeting By JOSE DE JESUS ORTIZ Copyright 2003 Houston Chronicle Since buying the Astros, Drayton McLane Jr. has remained loyal to his Central Texas roots and the franchise's two biggest stars, Jeff Bagwell and Craig Biggio. The devotion to McLane's roots will be on display early in the week when the Astros' Caravan visits Temple and Cameron. Later in the week, McLane will meet with Biggio to discuss a potential contract extension. "I'm going to visit with Craig and his agent in the next couple of days," said McLane, a Temple resident who grew up in Cameron. "Craig's a good person. He's been one of the cornerstones of the franchise." Biggio, who hit .253 with 15 home runs and 58 RBIs in 2002, will be in the final year of his contract this season unless he signs an extension. Biggio, 37, has made it clear he would like to play at least three more seasons. But he must move to the outfield to make room for slugging second baseman Jeff Kent, who signed a two-year, $17.5 million deal last month in what many experts consider one of the best free-agent signings in franchise history. Biggio "said to me and said it publicly that Jeff Kent adds to our team," McLane said. "We just need to sit down and talk." Because of a desire to remain within a responsible budget, the mid-market Astros are trying to dump salaries to keep in line with the budget. But the budget will hardly be a concern for fans during the caravan as McLane brings Kent, Lance Berkman, manager Jimy Williams, general manager Gerry Hunsicker, Geoff Blum, Brandon Puffer and Hall of Fame broadcaster Milo Hamilton to Central Texas. The tour will begin with a stop at Temple's Colonial Mall today. Berkman, Kent, Williams, Hunsicker, Hamilton, Blum and Puffer will sign autographs at the mall from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, the Astros will visit the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, Shoemaker High School, Scott & White Hospital, Temple College, and Temple High School. The Astros will visit patients at Scott & White Hospital from 10:45 a.m.-noon Tuesday. Wednesday the group will attend the Temple Lions Club weekly luncheon from noon to 1 p.m. before ending the Central Texas leg with an assembly at Cameron Yoe High School from 1:45-3:00 p.m. "It's really gratifying to me and my family to get these players here to get them involved with the public," McLane said.
McLane keeps hearing people clamor for him to spend more money, so he's decided to show how spending more money can lead to bad things. He's just trying to teach us all a lesson.
Bigg'll be rewarded for being moved to OF for a better player at 2B. Maybe the extension will include deferring this year's salary excesses etc and opening the budget for a younger, more productive player?
Wow, I'm actually in agreement with Trader_Jorge?!? Did the Hellmouth just open or something? Seriously, though, if Biggio is retained at the cost of losing Oswalt/Miller, I'm going to be one majorly pissed-off Astros fan. Why can't Biggio stay on as a coach or part of the front office personnel? As a loyal, die-hard competitor, surely he must understand what a liability he is on the field and at-bat. Then again, I guess Hakeem, Jordan, Montana, Ewing, et all didn't know when to quit, either...
If McLane wants to give Bidge a going away gift, fine. Just don't let it keep us from signing anyone to the team during the term of his extension. I admire loyalty and since the money he is doling out is ultimately ours, (since McLane recovers his money when he sells), we, the fans, should expect Bidge's Golden Parachute to be treated as unofficially off the payroll as far as cap issues are concerned. If McLane doesn't sign our young pitchers long term when it's their turn and he uses the payroll limit as an excuse and Biggio is eating cap money then this deal will have Biggio leaving a bitter taste in some fans mouths when he finally retires. Personally, if Bidge really believes he is worth big bucks as an everyday player then he should shop himself around. More power to him. I think though that he will be disappointed with the response around the league. I hope he comes in this year and amazes us all with his outfield defense and rejuvenated batting. Does that translate into a big dollar contract extension. Not with this fans dollars.
I'm not suprised by this in the least. So long as the new contract is WAY below what Bidge is currently making, I have no real problem with it. There are some people (none here, but they are out there) who would damned near revolt if Drayton allowed Bidge to play in a different uniform without putting up a fight. Imagine the chagrin if Bidge wears another team's gear into Cooperstown. This will be a lesson in it isn't about how much you spend it is about spending what you do wisely.
There is no chance of Biggio going to Cooperstown. None. Jeff Bagwell may not even be a first ballot hall of famer.
bagwell's a first ballot hall of famer, no question. he'll end his career, statistically, as the best NL first baseman in history. he has hardware, stat titles, GGs, all-star appearences.... biggio's chances took a hit when sandberg failed to get in; prior to that, i thought he had a strong case because i thought sandberg was a no-brainer and that biggio was clearly, at the very least, his equal. my guess is that biggio will hang around and be one of those candidates who divides the writers right down the middle and makes for fascinating debate.
In all actuality very few players are first ballot HOF'ers. It is a baseball thing. First ballot status is saved for special players. If you are a supersatr and set tons of records or do things no one else has done then you will get in on the 1st ballot. PLyers like Ruth, Gehrig, Ryan are 1st ballot guys. Bagwell will get in unless he just stinks it up for the next 5 years. He will probably not be a 1st ballot guy. Biggio will also get in he is a rare breed with being an All-Star at 2 varied positions(not similar positions like 2nd and SS). He will not be a 1st ballot guy and it may take 2-4 tries. Likewise Sandberg will be in. Hopefully Drayton and Craig will be about extending Craig and deferring some of this years salary to the next few years. That should help out with the financials from the Kent signing. CK
You have to admit that his postseason prowess (or lack thereof) is working against him. Granted, he has a few years to completely obliterate that reputation (see: Barry Bonds and his stellar postseason last year), but if he doesn't do anything to help his cause within the next 5 years or so, he might become a second-ballot HOF'er. Dem voters are a picky bunch. Nolan freaking Ryan (one of the best ever?) didn't receive a unanimous decision when he made the Hall...
I can't believe that people are calling Biggio a bum in here. Jeez, I thought fans liked it when their players were loyal, but I guess it is possible to wear out your welcome. We don't even know what the contract is gonna be like or if Biggio will be ready to accept a smaller role after next season, like being a bench player, but so many of you are already jumping to conclusions. Damn, well, I grew up watching Biggio play and he's my favorite player, so maybe my opinion is biased, but I can't believe you guys won't give him the benefit of the doubt and are already wanting to kick his butt out the door.
I think Biggio should be on the bench starting this season. Unless an outfielder plays unbelievable defense and has oustanding speed, we cannot afford to have a player who put up numbers (.253, 15 home runs, 58 RBIs) like Biggio did last year taking up an outfield spot. Biggio has clearly lost a step in terms of speed, and his arm is nothing to write home about.
Yep. Have Biggio sit next to Hidalgo on the bench. I would rather see an outfield of Merced, Berkman and Lane, personally.
