In the midst of a five-team race for the NL Central title, GM Ed Wade told Sirius XM Radio that the Astros will not be buyers this July. They are just 3.0 games behind the division-leading Cardinals, with a record of 45-44. Miguel Tejada, LaTroy Hawkins, Jose Valverde and Ivan Rodriguez all become free agents after the season, so the Astros will have pieces to consider selling if they fall out of the race in the next two weeks. http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/07/gm-astros-will-not-be-buyers.html#comments
To bad because Wandy has developed into a #2 so all we really need now is a solid #3 which should be easier to find...Garland, Zack Duke or someone like that.
They have said the whole time that they would not be looking to add payroll because they spent all their budget money on Pudge, Keppinger, & Hampton. The more important thing is that we probably won't be sellers unless some great deal comes along for a player like Tejada that would cut payroll. I would still hope that maybe the Astros pull a small deal similar to Wheeler for Wiggington, or the trade for Aubrey Huff. Though the only thing this team need is one more starter.
Maybe to buy some good PR for Uncle Drayton if they do end up making a move?!? "Uncle Drayton really stepped up and allowed us to go get Player X. We want to bring a championship to Houston, and Drayton is doing everything in his power to do that. Now come on out to MMP and buy some Nachos!!" Either that or he's just tempering expectations...
i really hope you're right either way, and that they are really not that shut off to the idea of adding players.
My guess is that just means they won't make any major deals, but a small deal is still possible. Or maybe they just want an element of surprise. It wouldn't be the first time the Astros traded for the best player on the market, when they weren't really considered in the mix.
I would love to get Garland but I looked at his numbers and honestly there about the same as Hampton's numbers but still would want him here yet I would go nuts on what to give the DBacks for him. Jon Garland W-L ERA K BB 5-9 4.45 50 41 Mike Hampton W-L ERA K BB 5-6 4.52 53 32
Actually wouldn't mind his teammate Doug Davis... W-L ERA K BB 4-9 3.41 91 55 Besides the win/lose record he is having a solid year on a bad team.... Oz 3.65 Wandy 2.81 Davis 3.41 Moehlor 5.08 Hampton 4.52
Trading for Dan Haren would be a pipedream, he makes 7.5 mil, that's good for a pitcher of his caliber
They gave up a fortune for him so it would probably take a fortune to get him here after all he is a Cy Young candidate now.
It couldn't be any worse than what Toronto wants for Halladay....I heard that want at least 4 prospects, 3 of them pitchers for Halladay
True that but if thats the case get me Halladay...Toronto is insane right now there scouting farm systems to see who they will cherry pick for Organizations lol...I remember when people wanted to trade Pence for Lincecum lol...
even if we were buyers, we don't have anything remotely close to get halladay, much less a guy NOT on the block like haren. can we stop even discussing things like that? Garland is more of a possibility. I don't mind Wade saying that. I figure at least it will keep teams from trying to get a lot from the Stros. They will have to assume we can't give up much...so if they make a deal w/us, they'll know to expect a lowball offer
