How is that substantially different than a player taking a year (or multiple years) off due to injury & then returning as a productive player? Happens more with pitchers than position players, but it happens. Won't know until they see what he can do. And no, DD, I don't think anyone has brought up Hidalgo, the 2000 season, and steroids before.
"We are very pleased to bring an original Astro and a former team MVP back to the organization," said Purpura. "For eight seasons, Richard was a constant force in our lineup, and we look forward to giving Richard the opportunity to attempt to earn a role on our club in 2007." Original Astro? A constant force for 8 seasons? Hey...I'm all for the comeback, but that's a little dramatic Timmy.
Drayton's Stros definitely likes them some positive PR: every press conference "a major announcement"; every player "a significant addition". It was that way while Gerry was here, too. I did like the "constant force" comment. Perhaps he mispronounced "inconsistent"?
buck, of course purpura can do more than one thing at a time. i just think he's wasting some of it on hidalgo. in short, i'm not convinced he can bring anything tangible to the table as far as getting the astros back to the playoffs and competing for a WS title. at this point the astros should be focusing on adding another starter the rotation, if that is even possible at this point in the game.
[Astros.com] Hidalgo officialy Signed Debated wheather to start a new thread... http://houston.astros.mlb.com/NASAp...t_id=1778091&vkey=news_hou&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou I wonder if he has been using performance enhancing drugs while he has been out of baseball.
Funny. I think he had a lot more issues than one "easily correctable flaw". Do you remember all the "Gerry is stupid" posts after Don Baylor came out with that gem?
Who said they aren't focusing on adding another starter? This signing is a low cost attempt to add a bat to our outfield. Besides, Hidalgo's decline began with knee problems that seem to be healed and he won't be playing on Astroturf this time.
Buck, I am not complaining, I like the signing.....low risk....nice move...and I may get to see him play at Round Rock where I have season tickets. I was just curious if anyone had ever done it before. As for 2000, didn't he get shot that summer and supposedly came to spring training with a new attitude? I think he said he was going to worry less and have more fun...and it worked ! DD
Hopefully this pays off, at the very least it gives the Astros a little more flexibility and maybe not have to rush Hunter so much. DD
SPLASH! and why do i doubt he has his bat speed, running ability, arm strength, power and everything all back? speedy, rocket-armed outfielders with 40 homer power always sign minor league contracts.
Do guys with 5-tool talent, progressing as scheduled throughout the minors, culminating in a 44 HR season... all of a sudden lose it like he did? Maybe he had some additives helping him... maybe he didn't. He was a talent when they signed him as a teenager in Venezuela, was the top prospect of a VERY good farm system (which included Lance Berkman), and had a year where he put up MVP numbers at the big league (and one year where he was an above average OF in 2003). There are a LOT of questions surrounding him... we'll see if they get answered.
