Hampy says "no thanks" to Stros

Saw that coming.

GO YANKEES!!!

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Five to one baby, one and five...no one here gets, out alive.

 

Well, Bags said that he wanted to stay if the Astros could convince him through its offseason moves that they were committed to turning things around. Getting Hampton could have done that. Or getting other solid free agent(s). Vizcaino (sp?) was a start, but he's noone's definition of a superstar. He's a stop-gap.

What are the odds that the Stros would turn around and use the $$ they were offering Hampton to get other pitchers, instead of leaving it in Drayton's pockets?

It's going to hurt twice as much if Hamp signs with the Cards or Cubs.

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I don't want to achieve immortality through my work... I want to achieve immortality by not dying. - Woody Allen

 

If the Astros lose Bags, they might as well move the team and convert that new stadium into the Livestock Show and Rodeo arena.

Bags must remain an Astro for the rest of his career. If we are not doing enough to keep him, then we suck.

Surf

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I actually hope he signs with a good team, maybe the Cardinals and takes them all the way. Hampton and Kile are good guys that the Stros sent away prematurely. Honestly, I'm a big homer, but I think they should go ahead and clean house. It is evident from last year that Drayton does not want to spend the big bucks even though new revenue is coming in. So why not just send everyone away for young talent and don't lie about it. I wouldn't mind rooting for a young team that isn't great (ie Rockets). Besides, Enron is a great ballpark and admit it, this current team ain't goin anywhere. I just hated when they Drayton and Hunsicker lied and said they didn't itend to save money last year. Uhh, they traded Carl Everett for cash, so what does that say. Go young, rebuild, and become the next White Sox.

 

Uhhhh, no. Kile was not sent away. He left as a free agent. The Astros made an extremely competitive offer but he took something like one millions more (over the course of four years) to go to colorado.

Also, CE was not traded for cash. He was traded for Adam Everett who has shown some promise and a pitcher named (I think) Gregg Miller who has pitched extremely well in the minors. If we hadn't traded CE, who should have left the outfield? Alou, Hidalgo, Berkeman?

I'm not denying the Stros blew it by trading Hampton. I think they should have kept him and tried to sign him this last year. But get the facts straight regarding past personel moves.

dylan


PS. I hope with all of my might that Hampton doesn't sign with the Cards. I go to school in Missouri and you have no idea how much I hate the Cards.


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In addition the Astros readily admitted before the season last year that they had the money to go persue a trade during the season if they saw it would help the club. After their dismal start there was no reason to do that.

Call me optimistic, but this team can easily return to the playoffs. The Central Division has no "great teams" and the Astros have the best offensive team in the division. IF (notice the big if), Reynolds and Lima return to form and they can pick up a competent starter (Neagle?), they'll have a good enough rotation. Move Holt to the bullpen (he'd be a great 2-3 inning pitcher) and have Wagner come back healthy and they are in decent shape.

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Until the team is owned by someone with deeper pockets than Drayton, they will never be able to spend on a level that will keep them competitive unless, of course, baseball comes up with revenue sharing which is doubtful at best.

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Mmmmmmm. Sacrelicious.

 

Anyone who thinks Neagle is the "Ace" pitcher the Stros need to

1. Make a run
2. Convince Baggwell their commited to contending

are a little confused.

One needs not to look beyond Draytons commitment to stay under 50 million. Between Biggio, Alou, Wagner, Lima, and Bagwells pending that about adds up to 50 million. Losing Hampy, and Everett had everything to do with that, and not about the stros offering fair deals, or direly needing a future (ack ack if you can call him that) S.S.

I agree with Jeff. The only two things keeping the stros away from being a competitive team is:

1. Drayton and his "Give me a new stadium to put out a great team and compete" lies.

and

2. Hunsicker and his myriad of horrible deals.

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"I have amazing, powers of observation"...Pink

 

I'm the only one who mentioned Neagle in this thread and I defined him as "competent" not an "Ace". Although it is more than likely a moot point a pitcher like Neagle gives the Astros 4 pitchers in their rotation who have won 15+ games in a single season. Can any other Central Division team make that claim? Again, the key is Lima and Reynolds returning to good form and Wagner being healthy. I think the Astros have the best offensive team in the division and IF their starters return to where they were in 1998/1999, they'll be in good shape.

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