Has the time come for Drayton to sell this team? With the team obligated to stay here for at least another 26-27 years, selling it to an out-of-state owner could be feasible since moving them wouldn't be a viable option. Or would you guys rather have an owner from "around these parts"? Personally, I'd just rather have an owner(in state or out of state) who would let Hunsicker run the team freely and spend $$$ wisely on players that aren't just "half a season rentals". IMO, I really think we need a change in ownership if we ever want to take the next step(s) and get to the World Series. Drayton was a godsend when he took over for McMullen but I'm ready for a change.......
How about Les Alexander? Think he'd be interested in the team? At least we know this about him: he's willing to spend $$$ and he lets the "experts" run the team. I have full confidence in Hunsicker to spend $$$ wisely on players and not become like the Rangers, etc. who'll just blow their money wads on anyone and anything.......
If Hunsicker was allowed to have freedom, we would have won the World Series by now. The guy does solid work with limited freedom. Les would be great. He is a winner and will not stop at any cost to win.
Yeah, but they're mostly debating whether McClane really has lost $$$ on the team, etc. In this thread, I really just want to see if you guys want Drayton to sell and , if so, to whom.......
I say Drayton Mc see you later. Houston needs a baseball owner with DEEP pockets, not some guy who is claiming to be walking around with bunny ears all day..
Drayton can't hit himself, but he is in charge of personnel that is "supposed" to hit It's time for Drayton to go. We've changed managers (Collins, Dierker, Williams). We changed players (except for the core four). We havent won. Unless Drayton is willing to improve the roster, he needs to go. Yes I want Drayton to sell the team.
You don't think Drayton would get more hell than he's getting now if he traded Biggio and/or Bagwell? Drayton's done as much as he can with this team under the current economic structure. Some of you ungrateful bastards should be counting your blessings that you're not Cub, Royal, Brewer, Tiger, Expo, Marlin, Devil Ray, Phillie, etc. fans.
How about Rich Kinder? He is worth well over a billion dollars, is local, and has expressed an interest in owning a sports team before. I believe his name has been circulated in connection with an NBA team, I'm not 100% sure.
I'm with RM95...the problem is the economics of baseball...NOT Drayton. Until something is fundmentally changed in the economics of baseball, it doesn't matter who the owner here is. Just because a new owner has deep pockets doesn't mean he's willing to take a bath on this little venture...if revenues don't justify expenditures, then he's not gonna buy.
They can't own a team in another pro sport that is located in a city with an NFL team...thus Allen can own the Blazers cause he's not competing with the NFL in Portland.
I agree that Drayton was a godsend after McMullen's ownership. However, the ultimate goal of reaching the World Series is not , IMO, attainable under Drayton's era. IMO, I think this is probably the best we can do under Drayton(making the playoffs, losing early, sucking the next year, winning the next year but losing in the first round again, etc.). I just don't think we can "get over the hump" with him running the show and the ultimate goal should be to get to and win the World Series, not just to be "happy" that we're better than the Royals, Brewers, Tigers, Devil Rays, etc...........
I'm kind of on the fence as to whether or not I want Drayton to sell. On the one hand, I think about how nice it would be to have an owner that spent whatever money Hunsicker wanted. On the other hand, I think it is very possible to get an owner who is much worse than Drayton and gives Hunsicker even less freedom. I think, personally, that I would rather Drayton stay, as I don't think the odds of a better owner buying the team are all that great.
Hey now... Let's not overrate Drayton as an owner, just because the owner before him was the Devil. It's like thinking that Dave Mlicki is an ace pitcher, because he's 10X's better than Lima. I guess you could say that Drayton is the Mlicki of ownership. I really would love to see Drayton leave, and count his pennies back in Temple, TX or whereever it is he lives. Would there be any chance in hell that Mark Cuban could be our owner? I know he's a whack job, but with no salary cap standing in the way, he could buy us a title every year assuming we still have Hunsicker.
I agree that Drayton was a godsend after McMullen's ownership. However, the ultimate goal of reaching the World Series is not , IMO, attainable under Drayton's era. IMO, I think this is probably the best we can do under Drayton(making the playoffs, losing early, sucking the next year, winning the next year but losing in the first round again, etc.). Sure it is possible. All that has to change is the system. I don't care what owner you get, they aren't going to accept losing gobs of money year after year. NO TEAM outside of the "big 6" (NY, NY, BOS, LA - markets; Cubs, ATL - national TV) can consistently field a high-priced team. NONE. Cleveland did for a while - now they are dismantling. Texas is planning the same. Florida managed one year. Arizona is in ridiculous debt and financial trouble. Bottom line is the system has to change. Unless you get a nutcase like Mark Cuban, the owners are all going to be the same. Some will spend a lot one year and then nothing the next (Cleveland now). I'd prefer our style where we try to be consistently competitive.
