http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/sports/bb/1382307 <I> Biggio responds Craig Biggio doesn't read Forbes Magazine, and he definitely didn't care much for a recent Forbes.com article that picked him as one of the eight most overpaid players in baseball. Lance Berkman, who this year will make $500,000 of the $10.5 million he signed for this winter in a three-year deal, was rated as baseball's best bargain. Biggio will earn $7 million this season, not including the percentage of the $7 million bonus he received when he signed his contract. "The guy writing the article probably doesn't know anything about baseball," Biggio said. "There's a difference between me and the time I've played compared to a guy in his third year. You can't compare a guy hitting at the top of the lineup and a guy who hits fourth. I set the table, and he pays the bill. No. No. I set the table, and he eats." Forbes.com failed to mention Biggio has deferred $3 million without interest. Either way, he and Berkman are eating well on their salaries. "I guess it's better than being considered an overpaid guy," said Berkman, who will make an extra $500,000 on his contract if he reaches 1,800 plate appearances over the life of the deal. Manager Jimy Williams downplayed the article. "I don't read Forbes," Williams said. "I don't think it makes sense to read Forbes. ... Lots of times good things happen on a team because of leadership. As long as we're good in this clubhouse, I'm fine with every player we've got on this team." </I> I agree with Forbes.
Hey, major he is still productive. He rocked a homer and double tonight. Also, I have no prob giving out tenure contracts to hall of fame caliber players to ensure they retire as Astros.
The magazine is stupid, and the guy who owns it is a jacka$$ for other reasons as well. Biggio has put in a lot of years and most of that is back pay for previous service. Baseball is said to be "a business," but it is more special in my opinion. I don't think Drayton was thinking, "gee, I better lock up Biggio because he is the best second baseman in baseball." He was thinking, "Biggio has poured his life, his soul, and his knees into this team and the city of Houston. He deserves to get payed for everything he has given us" Biggio, right now, is the greatest player in the history of the Astros. Sure Ryan will go down as a greater player overall, but he hasn't been an Astro as long as Biggio. When I think of the Stros, I don't picture Ryan, Glenn Davis, Mike Scott, or Joe Morgan. I think of Craig Biggio.
2nd best second baseman of our genertaion. Well, I guess Joe Morgan was the best second baseman of Dr of Dunks generation.
Biggio is an amazing player who has had a fabulous career. He is not among the league's most overpaid players... when I think overpaid, I think Derek Bell...not Craig Biggio! Biggio has been an integral part of a team that has won 4 division titles in the last 5 years. overpaid?? hardly. at least not outside the sense that these guys are all overpaid for playing a kids' game.
I agree that he deserves the money for "past performance" but I don't think he's nearly performing at a $7-$8 MM level *right now*. In that respect, I do believe he's overpaid. If you took the loyalties out of his, he would be our worst value for the dollar right now, in my opinion.
Me too. Biggio is overrated. His defensive skills have declined and he is a piss-poor playoff hitter.
i think he's been pretty good defensively so far this year.. as for piss-poor playoff hitter...are you really gonna value the man's salary for his performance in those specific 40 AB's...does the fact he's a driving factor in getting the Astros to the playoffs 4 out of 5 years mean nothing?? under that thinking we shouldn't pay Barry Bonds anything either...he's a piss-poor playoff hitter too.
Of ocurse, if we didn't sign Biggio everyone and their mother (do people still use taht saying) would be crying even more about how we can't resign players, blah, blah, blah.
I think Wagner would give him a "run for his money" at this dubious honor at this point in the season.
I don't agree with Forbes. If anything, Wagner is much more overpaid. Plus, you can't ignore loyalties when discussing this type of thing, so you shouldn't even do it.
YES, the goal is to win a world series, not just to be good during the season and the shut it down come playoff time. yeah, It does not mean that much. Especially in 97,98, and 99 when the Central Division was horrible. Although the Reds almost caught the Stros in 99. Again, getting to the playoffs is not the goal, winning a world series is. Biggio is expected to produce in the regular season AND the PLAYOFFS. He only does the former and that is a big problem. Players like Bonds and Ted Williams are rare exceptions because they put up the numbers that fans like the most, HR's and batting average. Those monster numbers bring fannies into the seats,,,,,,,where as biggio getting 50 doubles per season in his prime is not as attention getting and HRs and Batting average. Finally, Bonds has four MVPs, broke the HR record, and helped the giants make mad money because of that. That is why Bonds should be paid.
this isn't basketball, JB...where everyone and their dog gets in the playoffs...where more teams make the playoffs than stay home for the offseason...this is baseball, where there is still a premium on the regular season. Biggio's numbers are hall of fame type numbers, and he will eventually get in. Not everyone is a homerun hitter...and a player can be immensely valuable to a team without hitting homers. Biggio has been immensely valuable to the Astros organization throughout the course of his career.
Last year, Biggio was one of the top 5 lead off men and 2b's in baseball. He certainly earned it last year. Whether he will this year, is uncertain. Forbes probably doesn't understand that batting is qualified by position.
