Yeah, I was upset with Drayton last year, in the beginning, just like every offseason when we fail to resign key guys. I mean, Billy was a big part of our success during some of those seasons, and instead of paying Billy, I mean, instead of rewarding Billy, Drayton, as always goes cheap. Granted we got Andy, but, he didnt help us during that stretch run on the field. I really think we got lucky with Lidge, and the fact that Ducky was a head case without Wags, so we traded for Carlos. Drayton got lucky, we got lucky and things clicked, and the team exploded. But here we sit again, in the same boat, wondering how we lost Carlos. In my heart, I just dont feel like we ever had a shot, and I feel like Drayton is just clearing house. Except, he would rather we believe that he is really trying to put together a winning team How do you lose Beltran, I mean, we never needed to go to PR, he was on our team last year. We knew him inside and out, knew how special he was, knew the potential, and def knew the market. I mean, honestly, all Drayton had to do was show him the money and he was ours. But instead of spending any to make out team better, like the mets, we cut payroll, and we are still cutting, talking about scrubs and has beens, its depressing And again, I along with all of Houston, couldnt have asked for a better season and playoffs last year, I mean, I could ask for a WS, but, I was fine with knowing that we would have a chance the next year, or do we ?
I'm ending my involvement in this argument after this post, but the payroll when he started in Houston was around 50 million, and as of 2004, a decade or so later, it is 82 million dollars. A 32 million dollar increase is not chump change and this is before the new TV contract so it's quite conceivable it could get into the 90 million dollar range. And lastly whose financial flexibility is really that much more flexible outside of the NY teams, Anaheim and Boston? The remainder of MLB spends it when it makes sense to spend it(ie like the Mulder deal in STL, Sexson/Beltre in Seattle after a disastrous season, the D Backs with Glaus and Ortiz, etc. The list goes on. I mean for example you can say the braves got hudson, but they lost Drew, and last year they let sheffield and maddux walk and the year before millwood. And replaced them with cheaper options. The Dodgers spent money this offseason after Beltre left leaving a gaping hole. The rangers want Delgado, but at the expense of Soriano. Etc. Outside of a handful of teams in MLB, teams have the same financial flexibility approach as the Astros: they spend when it makes sense to spend it. You act like the Astros are alone in this approach, they aren't.
I said my last post would end my involvement but this one will instead. It's not a vicious cycle by any means. If Soriano is willing to consider a reasonable extension for a few years, fine resign him. If not you either trade him for a good player with a long term contract or you use his 10 mil and Clemens 10 mil plus to get longterm pieces in FA or via trade by not asking to send payroll back. There is no reason to sign him upfront unless he just wants a very fair deal(like 7-9 mil per) because that is stupid. This team has tons of players coming off the books soon and can use that money to get players they need in the longrun. They do not need to bend over backwards and pay Soriano more than he is worth because they have the money to get a big time bat next offseason or via trade. If he wants to stay at a reasonable price, yes you sign him, but the point is with Soriano, the team has options to stay competitive now, while having the ability to be flexible about the future including resigning Soriano if they so choose.
This will be my last post on this, ERRRRR or maybe my next one will be LOL you knew that was coming though Dude, when does the longrun get here ? Since those guys are coming off the books soon, why not get Carlos now, since you are gonna free up money soon. Its prolly cause he would rather have the money set aside for Carlos, and the money for those players coming off the books as well to slide in his pocket. For the longrun of course
If he comes back it will be for more than 10 mil as he accepted arbitration as the reigning CY young winner. Fine replace Clemens with Kent's 7-8 mil and Beltran's 9 mil. Same point made. And that does not include Bagwell's 16 mil and Pettitte's 10 mil that expire within the next two years. Happy now? And seriously that is it for me in this argument.
that makes no sense,,,but whatever somoene posted a link to an article in another thread about the rangers not trading soriano unless they are overwhelmed....i guess plan C goes into effect now
That's what I thought. Can't rebut what's most obvious to most of us. Typical twin talk. Nero, All I know is that since McLane's been the owner, the citizens of Houston have seen unprecedented success from their baseball team. In the last 10 years, six teams have won a World Series. Only one team can win a year. McLane has proved time and time again that he will make the necessary moves to attempt and win a championship. He made the trade for Johnson, Alou, Astacio, Williams, Beltran, etc. He's signed Kent, Clemens, Pettitte, Bagwell, Berkman, Biggio, etc. You're right, I don't know if there were moves out there to bolster the bullpen that he didn't make, however, based on the Astros' history, I'm going to assume that there weren't. Hunsicker said in 2003 that McLane gave him the authorization to make a trade at the deadline, but none of the deals made sense. I really doubt that we had a deal in place for a relief pitcher, yet McLane decided that the club couldn't afford his salary. What I do know is that it's not McLane's fault that Miceli gave up the HR to Edmonds. It's not his fault no one could hit in '97-'99. It's not his fault Dierker had his head up his ass when he brought Mike Jackson in instead of Dotel in '01. All I know is that he was the owner of the team that was put together those years. The same teams that many experts predicted to go to the World Series. And with that, this is my last post in regards to this entire situation. I was very upset Saturday night, but was over it the next morning. The Astros have always been a joy to me and that joy has only increased under McLane. Because of his and Gerry's wheelings and dealings last season, I was able to enjoy the most exciting post-season the Astros have ever had. And if we go into the 2005 campaign with what we have currently, I'm still gonna root hard for them everyday and thank Drayton for the years of joy he's helped bring to me. I'm gonna be thankful for Drayton and the rest that we're able to watch guys like Rice alum Lance Berkman, Andy Pettitte, and childhood heroes Jeff Bagwell and Craig Biggio (how many other fans can say that they've watched the same two class acts play all their home games in the same city?) compete at MMP. There are too many other important things to worry about.
I am going to reply only to this because I know you won't be able refrain from responding. Drayton is to blame because he went into the season without addressing our weakness. We got rid of Wagner without replacing him. I guess he must of been crossing his fingers, hoping things would work out. This is where you state. "We signed Pettitte and Clemens." Then I state. zero sum gain. Robbed Peter to pay Paul. (Or is it Steve) Seriously, I am just joking.
We have nothing Its sad to say with the lost of Beltran the astros really dont have much to look foward to this season.... Honestly all i think we can do with the team we have is just be a average .500 team...but is there really any hope...i mean look at what we have....we have a frist base man with no shoulder....we dont have a second base man at all thanks to kent leaving.....our short stop broke his arm at the end of last year but we have no idea how he is doing this offseason....and our catcher...well there not much to be said about him...hes just behind the plate..... our outfiled is awful i mean berkman hurt because he was playing flag football....biggio is old and he can hardly run and hes really not a out fielder at all.... then theres the question of whoes going to take berkman spot until he get backs...and whoes going to take beltran spot in center field.....DAMN THIS SEASON IS GOING TO SUCK FOR THE ASTROS.....but if you are a loyal fan like me you can only hope for the best...if there is any news about our team...plz update this...lol.....GOOD LUCK THIS YEAR GUYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Welcome to the Board. You're probably going to get flamed for this, so I just want to use it to say, GO CUBS!
I'm looing for a starting rotation that includes: Oswalt Pettite Backe I'm looking forward to seeing how Chris Burke plays second. I also want to know how we spend all this extra money we have. How about we make a run for Magglio?
