Said the wheels began to turn on Ashby's decision when Milo announced that he was only doing home games. Ashby wanted more responsibility and it sounded like he overplayed his hand (Ash). Said they are still looking at trades and free agents, Granato tried to get him talk about Tejada but he wouldn't. I got the feeling he was interested though. We'll see. that's all I remember, maybe some others heard it and can post comments.
Granato was definitely grilling Uncle Drayton on Ash and I think he gave some pretty PC answers. Granato's analogy was that Ash played a risky hand (of wanting to be play-by-play man) and lost - said that maybe he was too aggressive in his pursuit and soured any chances of remaining the color man. That makes some sense. As far as the offseason goes, I think Drayton understands what is at stake if we dont add a big bat to the lineup - No Clemens in '06 and fan apathy because esentially we would be taking a huge step backwards.
From what I heard (when the actual announcement was made), since Ash was not chosen as the primary PBP guy (which is a decision I can agree with... he's alright as PBP... but he has his deficiencies), and it seemed like he really wanted that job, he would likely have not accepted coming back simply as the color man. Of course, I'm sure a lot of stuff is being kept behind the scene... like whether or not Ash threw down an ultimatum, and the Astros called him on it. I can't imagine the 'Stros would go out of their way to get rid of Ashby... there had to be some sort of internal rift. As for the trades... I'm all for the spirit of the moves... but keep in mind, trades are HARD to make. Much harder than signing a free agent, or even finding a diamond in the rough out of the minors... good trades rarely happen anymore (at least for both teams), and we'll have to be ultra careful to not give up EVERYTHING for the sake of one good bat.
Ash is a class act and he's already been on the radio and said he didn't throw down any ultimatums but that maybe he was too aggressive in wanting the PBP job. He said he had hoped to eventually team up with Art Howe or Kevin Bass.
I say we just go after Tejada and Manny. Make it happen, its not that hard. Manny Berkman Tejada What a middle of the lineup...Crap, I was joking at first, but now I want this lineup.
Everett, Burke, Backe, Top-Prospect for Tejada Lidge, Willy T, 1 Top-Prospect for Manny Biggio Ensberg Berkman Manny Tejada Bagwell Lane Ausmus It would be Yankees South. But we'd better win this year, because the future is shot to hell.
Bass is really good in studio. I always thought he'd be a great analyst. I wish we could hear more of him during the season.
I seriously doubt that is enough to get Tejada even if the prospect was Patton. Rumor has it the Cubs are dangling Wood and Prior for Tejada. That may possibly be one of the worst defensive outfields of all time. I like the offense but how many runs will that cost us a game?
