they were looking to unload him during the offseason....they looked last season as well. had he performed up to expectations, he'd still be wearing an astros uniform, i think...but he's absolutely fallen off the map.
The thing I think we have to remember is that Drayton was spending more money than he wanted to on the team that he ever wanted too. In my opinion that means that this "freed up money" isn't really freed up for the Astros. It's just freed up in Drayton's personal wallet. I wouldn't expect him to exert himself any more this year.
I don't like the deal because Doggy definitely has potential to go on a tear like he did to start the season out - he's a good power hitter. Also, that $4 million is never gonna be used, Drayton just wants to save damn money. If he still thinks this is our year as he said, then he shouldn't be concerned about spending money. Don't be so stingy McClane and be more like Steinbrenner.
How many freakin' times does a myth have to be debunked? I'm glad you're not running our team. Why pay $4m more for a guy who's had a horrible season, sans the first two weeks?
They can't afford to just wait around forever for that tear, especially with so many other hitters struggling, AND, the possibility of Lane producing much more for this club over the rest of the season (check out his numbers since he started playing everyday... they're pretty good). Also... even Steinbrenner knows a bad contract when he sees one, and Hidalgo being signed for $12 million this year, and $15 million next year is a BAD contract (maybe one of the worst in the bigs). It isn't McLane being stingy, its getting rid of a player who's NOT producing anything, who has a contract that says he should be producing like a superstar. Also... they actually get something for him... which is an achievement in and of itself (no team is dumber than the Mets right now... there's NO reason to rent a player who makes that much when you're not even in the pennant race). On another note, Darryle Ward still seems to be producing after his renaissance... egad, that guy could stomp us next week.
How long do you expect the Astros to wait for Hidalgo to go on this "pontential tear"? If he is such a "good power hitter" then why does he only have 4 HRs this year? His last HR was hit on April 13. That was 167 official at bats ago. Since 05/07 when his average was .343 he is 15 for 96 with 5 RBI, that's a .156 average. His slugging percentage over that same time is .198. Hidalgo has had up and down seasons throughout his career. He may bounce back with a good 2nd half or a good 2005, but you can't blame the Astros on this one.
For what it's worth, the other player the Astros acquired, pitcher Jeremy Griffiths, was 5-2 with a 3.47 in 13 starts at AAA Norfolk this year. He was abysmal in a handful of starts with the Mets last season.
I don't like this trade at all. There seems to be no potential upside, and plenty of downside. Overall, it looks to be money-motivated. Here are the benefits and problems that I can see. Benefit. 1. The Astros save $3-4 mil, which I guess goes to help pay for the large amount of deferred money for Clemens and Pettite. 2. Makes room for Lane, who'll stay cheap for quite some time, while probably become the same if not better hitter as Hidalgo. 3. Get another relief pitcher Cost. 1. David Wheathers SUCK. And he's sucking while pitching in a pichers park at Sheas. Imagine all the gopher balls he'd be serving up at MM park. And being the "veteran" that he is, Jimy will probably send him out there way more than he deserves. 2. Worse bench. Actually, this should've been a bigger problem than it has been, because somehow Orlando Palmeiro managed to be the Stros 4th OF instead of Lane this year. But still, if Biggio or Berkman ever goes down this year, I'm going to cringe seeing Palmeiro start in the OF every single day. 3. Worse OF defense. For all his offensive shortcomings, Hidalgo's one of the best RF defensively. While Lane doesn't look to be more than average(at best) in RF. 4. The chance that Hidalgo turns it around. I just don't see too many benefits to this trade, but could cause a ton of problems potentially. I'd actually prefer BENCHING Hidalgo over trading him for crap like Weathers if we're only going to save 3 mil or so. If only because of insurance policy.
1. David Wheathers SUCK. And he's sucking while pitching in a pichers park at Sheas. Imagine all the gopher balls he'd be serving up at MM park. And being the "veteran" that he is, Jimy will probably send him out there way more than he deserves. He doesn't suck. This year, he's mediocre, but better than half our bullpen. Over the last 4 years, he's been great, with an ERA consistently in the 2.00 to 3.00 range.
I don't think it's such a terrible trade. I like Hidalgo and I was hoping he could turn it around soon, but he has looked terrible at the plate. We get needed bullpen relief, a prospect of some sort (I have knowledge of this guy) and dump a fat contract. The extra money could be used to sign a player for the rest of the year to help our bullpen, give us some more power off the bench, or make a trade of some sort. Hidalgo wasn't going to put us over the top this year, but if the money is used, it could help the astros out a lot. I don't even feel that bad for Hidalgo even if he loved playing in Houston. He has the ability for more exposure if he does turn his season around, and if he really wants to play for Houston, he could always try to resign for a reasonable contract after the Mets buy out his contract for next season.
Good move eventhough I really like Hidalgo for his good arm. I'm happy for Lane who obviously deserves a shot but I am sad to see Hidalgo go. The only good thing about this is that drunk people will stop barking here in Minute Maid whenever he comes up to bat.
I totally agree with you RM95 ... But knowing the way Drayton has been in previous years he is not going to use that money on the team so I think the Myth is that we now have $4m more for another guy. I think the $4m is already taken up in the acquisitions of Pettite and Clemens. Drayton had no intention of spending more money and if things don't turn around soon you can bet he wont be jumping at the chance to throw money at another player. As far as ditching Hidalgo I have no problem with that .. He wasnt producing.
i don't begrudge mclane the opportunity to save $4 million here. i'm sure TJ will tell me i'm being a baylor homer again...and am seeking a more "intimate" relationship with mr. mclane. but losing hidalgo doesn't hurt my feelings at all...and if it saves mclane some money, and i'm fine with that. ultimately it does open up potential opportunites for that money that didn't exist before this afternoon.
For one thing, how do you know Drayton's intentions as far as adding anyone else this year? I've yet to hear anything publically from them saying that. In previous years, Drayton has traded for Johnson, signed Kent, signed Pettitte, signed Hidalgo a long-term contract, signed Bagwell to a long-term contract, signed Biggio to a long-term contract, signed Wagner to a long-term contract, etc. Not sure what else the man has to do. Like it or not, he doesn't have the resources as Steinbrenner.
