http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/front/4464563.html Astros GM Purpura 'optimistic' about potential deal with Hidalgo By JOSE DE JESUS ORTIZ Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle Astros general manager Tim Purpura expressed optimism today about completing a minor-league deal “soon” with a spring training invitation for outfielder Richard Hidalgo, who hit 44 home runs for the Astros in 2000. Hidalgo’s representative shares Purpura’s optimism. So barring a setback in negotiations, a deal could be finalized within the next 48 hours. Purpura and the Astros’ head of Latin American operations Al Pedrique have been monitoring Hidalgo’s progress since October in the Venezuelan Winter League. While in Venezuela in October, Purpura even chatted with Hidalgo, whom Pedrique is managing with the famed club Magallanes. Hidalgo, 31, skipped the 2006 season after hitting .221 for the Texas Rangers in 2005. The Astros’ Most Valuable Player in 2003, Hidalgo struggled early in the 2004 season, fell out of favor with former manager Jimy Williams and was traded that season to the New York Mets. At least defensively, Hidalgo and his plus-throwing arm would be a tremendous upgrade over any of the outfielders currently of the Astros’ roster. Offensively, his track record is superior to any of them except $100 million man Carlos Lee and first baseman-outfielder Lance Berkman. If the deal is finalized, Hidalgo will head to spring training to compete with Jason Lane and Luke Scott for the starting job in right field. “He would definitely be in the mix for the job in right field,” said Purpura, who noted that he was impressed by the three home runs Hidalgo hit recently in winter ball. Purpura also has been tried to sign former Astro righthander Pedro Astacio to a minor-league deal. With his recent three-homer game, Hidalgo tied the single-game home run record in the Venezuelan winter league. He had not homered three times in a game since Sept. 16, 2003, when he accomplished the feat for the Astros against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field . “We’ve had a bunch of interest in Richard,” Hidalgo’s longtime agent, Peter Greenberg, said via phone from New York “He’s had a good winter ball, not just the three home runs. He had 10 in the regular season down there, and that’s a lot of home run for that many games. He’s among the league leaders in home runs, RBIs. He’s in a great shape, lost a lot of weight.” Hidalgo’s commitment to prove himself worthy of returning to the majors was evident when he showed up for winter ball on Oct. 3, much earlier than most players of his stature. For instance, Lane showed up for winter ball in December and returned home briefly after getting off to a difficult start. “I just think there’s a lot of reasons for this to be a perfect fit,” Greenberg said. “Tim is right. We’re pretty close. I hope we can work out something soon.”
Definitely good pick up, especially if he comes cheap. our outfield could be lee, hidalgo, and scott, i liek that. all good hitters and good defensively.
are they serious?!?!?!?!? if hidalgo is the starting rightfielder for the astros this season we're royally screwed. i'd rather have luke scott playing everyday instead of this has-been. and what is this superior defense and offensive track record they speak of? so what hidalgo's got a "plus" arm, he's so fat and slow to ball in the first place you probably end up worse because by the time doggy gets to the ball in the right field corner, the runner is already at second base. and other than one great season, his offensive track record is as solid as jason lane's .200 average and 2 strikeouts a game last year.
If you even read the article numb nuts you would know that the guy has lost a lot of weight so he will have the speed for the outfield that made him a good fielder his first few years in houston. He had two good years with the Astros. In 03 he still had a .957 OPS with almost 30 home runs and 88 RBIs
Hidalgo would be a low risk, high reward move. If he can can get into CF playing weight, he'll make the team since the Stros don't have a backup CF.
It's not like the Stros have a member of their organization who's seen him play every day for the last 3 months or anything. What do they know? If he can still play a bit, he's a great fit...pretty much exactly what the Stros need: RH power off the bench, late inning defensive replacement in RF, platoon option with Scott in RF, can slide over to CF some when needed. Freaking out over signing a guy to a non-guaranteed contract to compete for a reserve OF job & maybe, possibly a starting spot reaches a new height in interweb kneejerkery.
Give him a chance. He was at one point the best prospect in the system. And it appeared he was going to take the reign after the Bagwell and Biggio era. Maybe he still will? Let's go Ricardo!!!
People complain when the Stros stand pat, and depend on nothing but the farm system... people complain when we don't go after cheap "low-risk" off-season players (such as Kenny Rogers)... and then people complain when we do the exact opposite of that and pick up a Loretta or Hidalgo. Richard won't be hitting 44 HR's next year... but if Luke Scott has a drop-off of Jason Lane-like proportions (which is entirely possible)... he'd be a good option to have. Not to mention he'd be a better platoon option when we face lefties instead of the affore-mentioned Lane.
whatever happened to that guy? I know where he went to play etc. But man, he had one hell of a good year with us.
I guess we'll never get over the Bobby Abreu slip up. I hope this works though. Hidalgo's a good guy...
What's the worst he can do? Hit rock bottom? Law of averages, and uh, he's not fat. Nice move. I'm not elated and I'm not disgusted. It could work out nicely for us.
There's no risk. At worst, he gives Jason Lane and Luke Scott competition enough to work harder. At best, Jason Lane is released or traded and Hidalgo platoons with Luke Scott. He's a better defensive option than Palmiero & Lane, especially if he has lost weight.
What do Bonds, Bagwell, McGwire, Canseco, Sosa, Palmeiro, B.Anderson, J. Gonzalez, L. Gonzalez, S. Finley, J Buhner, Pudge, Giambi, Javy Lopez, and Hidalgo have in common???
