I'd LOVE to see that. The problem is 2 fold: 1) He's probably ask for $2.5-3M. (not that big of a problem) 2) We already have FIVE starting OFs. We would need to deal AT LEAST 1...preferably 2. Of course if we could get somebody to take Hidalgo, anything could happen.
Yeah, I guess we'll just have to see how Biggio does in CF during spring training before attempting a move if need be. So what's our line-up for now? 1. Biggio - CF 2. Lugo - SS 3. Berkamn - LF 4. Bagwell - 1B 5. Kent - 2B 6. Hidalgo - RF 7. Blum - 3B 8. Ausmus - C Not too shabby, huh? *BTW Ref, who does Franchione start at QB next year? Long or McNeal? Who's your pick? I hope it's McNeal cuz I'd love to see a McNeal v.s Vincent Young showdown next year(yeah, I think Young takes the starting QB job)! Also, does Drew Tate remain committed?
I can't believe that no one has mentioned Juan Pierre. Florida has been loading up on pitchers & might be interested in a Pierre for Hernandez/Hunter trade. If Hernandez gets over his injury streak, he'll be a great pitcher. However, I'd be willing to give him up for an everyday starting center fielder like Pierre. What do ya'll think it would take to get Pierre?
Pierre's OBP was .332 and he sluuged .343 last year for an OPS of 675. Lugo was better than that. Brian Hunter was better than that. The question about Pierre is which year is more indicative of how his career will go. Last year - not good. 2001 - Pretty good. I'd rather play Hunter in center than trade Hernandez for Pierre at this point in their careers.
Hottoddie, Pierre makes 6.5 million dollars and is a slap hitter who is at best slightly better than lugo, let someone else fool themselves into taking him. Castillo is a different story however.
Last year may have been a fluke for Pierre. If you look at the OPS for the last 3 years for each player (Pierre has only been in the majors for 3 years), Pierre has a 3 year average of .727, while Hunter's last 3 year average is .702. Another thing to consider is that Hunter is 31 years old, while Pierre is only 25 years old. However, the one stat you left out, is that Pierre has 93 stolen bases over the last 2 years & Hunter has 83 stolen bases over the last 4 years. Pierre would make a great lead-off hitter for this team. But, that's just my opinion.
I didn't realize he made that much. If we could throw in Hidalgo, instead of Hunter, to balance out the dollars, I'd still do the trade. I wonder if they'd take Redding/Ward for Pierre?
Last year may have been a fluke year. That is why I questioned which year is indicative of Pierre's career. At this point, I don't think anyone is quite sure. If you want to point out the stolen bases, Hunter has 83 stolen bases over the last 4 years while Pierre has 93 over the past 2. That is certainly correct, however, over the past 4 years, Hunter has had less plate appearances than Pierre has over the past 2, so Hunter has more stolne bases per plate appearance over the time fram you chose. The whole point of my contention is that at this stage of Pierre's career, he is not a noticeable improvement over Hunter, who rides the Astros bench, so there is no reason to potentially give up a solid left handed starter. In other words, do you want to give up Hernandez for a plyer who may do no better than Hunter in CF?
I've gotta think he starts Reggie. It'll depend on how they do during spring drills. I think Tate will remain committed and will sign with A&M.
