June 28, 2003, 11:05PM Hunsicker likely high on Mets' GM list By RICHARD JUSTICE Copyright 2003 Houston Chronicle When the New York Mets fired general manager Steve Phillips this month, they named Jim Duquette his temporary replacement while they figured out what to do next. What they'll do next appears simple. They'll name Duquette their permanent general manager, or they'll attempt to lure Gerry Hunsicker away from the Astros. Industry sources believe it's a coin toss which path Mets owner Fred Wilpon will choose. Duquette, 37, is highly regarded around the game, but he has never been a general manager. Certain franchises are wonderful training grounds for young executives, but the Mets -- with their nearly limitless resources and expectations -- aren't one of them. If Hunsicker is offered the job, he'll face one of the most important and probably one of the most difficult decisions of his professional life. Does he stay in Houston, where he has constructed one of the best operations in the game and where he's widely admired for his judgment and class? Or will he be tempted by the larger stage? Since Phillips was fired, Hunsicker has been asked dozens of times about his interest in the Mets, and he consistently has said he hopes to remain with the Astros for years to come. Yet he surely would be tempted by the opportunity to run what should be one of baseball's most successful franchises. Hunsicker, 53, has taken the Astros about as far as they can go on their limited finances. Yes, they might someday win a World Series, but in a game largely defined by market size, the Astros are never going to be consistent championship contenders. As the payroll gets more top-heavy, the ability to stay in contention will grow more difficult. Next season, six players will take up $51 million of a payroll that probably will again be in the $65 million range. Those six are Jeff Bagwell ($13 million), Richard Hidalgo ($12 million), Jeff Kent ($8.5 million), Billy Wagner ($8 million), Lance Berkman ($6.5 million) and Craig Biggio ($3 million). Among the unsigned players are Brad Ausmus, Roy Oswalt, Wade Miller and Octavio Dotel. Unless there's an infusion of cash, the Astros will be forced to make painful cuts this winter. These are headaches Hunsicker would not have in New York. The Mets would provide him with more opportunity and more potential for trouble than the Astros. On many levels it seems illogical for him to leave Houston, but it's important to remember the words of a Clemson basketball coach named Rick Barnes. Just weeks before bolting Clemson for the University of Texas, he told a friend he had never been so happy. When he resigned, that same friend asked: "What about being so happy?" "Well, you know coaches," Barnes said. "We run from happiness." Barnes ran because Texas presented a challenge and an opportunity. That's what the Mets would provide Hunsicker. He has one year remaining on his contract with the Astros, and in the past, he and team owner Drayton McLane have extended the deal before Hunsicker entered the final year. McLane almost surely would allow him to listen to a pitch from the Mets, where he worked for eight years. McLane would make an attempt to keep him.
McLane would be stupid to let Hunsicker go. He's done wonders given the owner-imposed salary constraints.
Hunsicker is probaly gone, the Mets are not really concerned about money. In Houston money is everything. Its really an easy decison, I wont blame the guy when he leaves.
If Hunsicker is offered the job he would be a fool not to go. He would have twice the payroll the Astros have to work with. Imagine if the Astros had another 50 million this offseason to go after free agents. The only downside of going to the Mets would be increased presure to win every year because of the higher payroll. ........Next season, six players will take up $51 million of a payroll that probably will again be in the $65 million range. Those six are Jeff Bagwell ($13 million), Richard Hidalgo ($12 million), Jeff Kent ($8.5 million), Billy Wagner ($8 million), Lance Berkman ($6.5 million) and Craig Biggio ($3 million). Among the unsigned players are Brad Ausmus, Roy Oswalt, Wade Miller and Octavio Dotel. Unless there's an infusion of cash, the Astros will be forced to make painful cuts this winter........ It's really obvious what the cuts/trades are goint to be next year and the people who call Astros management racists will be coming out to grip again this offseason. With Hidalgo bouncing back and having such a great year this season he will be the likely player the Astros trade this offseason to make room for Oswalt and Miller. Hidalgo has shown that he is inconsistent with his play the last two years, but now he has value again so the Astros can pick up some nice young players in return. Dotel will likely be gone also. Dotel is going to command about the same salary as Wagner so it's going to come down to chosing between one or the other. Wagner given his history with the Astros is the obvious pick. As for the other players: Bagwell ($13 million) - Would be hard to trade since he is on the decline and has a high price tag. Kent ($8.5 million) - No way you trade Kent at that salary. Berkman ($6.5 million) - same as Kent. Biggio ($3 million) - small price tag and is having a good year. ********************* Miller and Oswalt - I'm assuming that they are restricted free agents so we can probably sign both of them to contracts at about the same price as we got Berkman for. Say 3 years at 5-7 million per season. Ausmus - Astros pitching went to $hit when he left so he is a must keep. He can be had at about 4 million a year so he's worth it.
Dotel will not get anything close to Wagner $. Also, the Astros would trade Hidalgo for a cheeseburger if they could. I don't think any team would want to bring in Hidalgo and his contract. Astros would be lucky to get decent prospects. I think the obvious solution is to trade Wagner (too much $ for a closer who tucks his tail b/t his legs when he faces the Braves) and Hidalgo if at all possible. This would clear up 20 mill bucks and would seemingly allow the Astros to actually spend some money in addition to re-signing guys.
If Hidalgo hits .315 with about 35 HR and 100+ RBI's people will want him. His arm is another bonus that will attract some teams. Dotel has been the most dominant reliever the past few seasons besides Gagne. I can see a big market club offering him a contract at 7-8 million dollars per season with the opportunity to be the closer.
Yeah, if he can pull those numbers, teams would love to have him. Unfortunately, given his hot start, he is on pace for 22 homeruns and about 72 RBI.
Other than the Yankees, tell me which teams are looking to add a 12 mill/year OF who is inconsistent and has had some nagging injuries as well as weight issues.
If the Astros keep Wagner and trade Dotel or letting him go with having a chance to trade Wagner, they're idiots. History with the team has gotten them stuck with paying Bagwell $13MM and one of the worst centerfielders in baseball. I really hope Drayton gets over this "keeping the old relics here mentality". Dotel is younger and has better stuff.
