The Astros has become a destination for players who want to be here for "lifestyle" reasons. Wonder why some of them are caught loafing to second base or are unwilling to take extra batting practice? Kent should be criticized for it. Garner shouldn't put up with it. Hunsicker, though, ought to be looking for new work. This guy has basically flamed out since the Bagwell deal. The talent we have given up or let go is absurd compared with the group that remained.
I'm sure its his fault that guys like Roy Oswalt, Lance Berkman, Adam Everett, Brad Lidge, and Wade Miller (excluding this year)have "flamed" out. I'll take those guys over the ones we "let go" any day. You look at any MLB team, and I guarantee you won't find such an ecclectic group of home-grown talent, with the exception of the Oakland A's pitching staff (which was basically two no-brainer 1st round picks, and Tim Hudson).
Maybe....just maybe Wagner is right about both Philly and Houston. I don't know much about Houston,but if the Phillies had canned Bowa in,say May,I'd be willing to wager they'd be in 1st place right now.Bowa is an idiot who should'nt be within 20 miles of a Major League dugout.
Actually, I think he was supporting Bowa (saying it wasn't his fault, it was the players faults). The rumors are that philly management wanted to get rid of him during the last road trip. Thus, under your assesment, wagner would have been wrong then.
you can be right all you want. but do you have to whine so much? coming into the stadium on the last game of the season last year and doing the whole "farewell tour" thing was just silly in my point. be a big boy. they're paying you big boy dollars.
Nick, What exactly are you alleging Wagner said about the Phillies? And while you're at it, are you insinuating that Wagner was out of line when he made those comments about the ownership here?
Justice is dead-on this time. I was at that game on Saturday and there is no excuse for what Kent did. I've watched baseball for 20 years and I've never seen anyone thrown out at 2nd for a lack of hustle. I would've dropped him from my roster like a stone.
Why? There's no rule that says a player has to go through the farm system step by step. If the Astros still had Santana, he would probably still be mulling around in the Texas league with the way we develop our prospects. I stated over a month ago that the Astros were done for the season, but what is even more sad is that we are done for the foreseeable future, as well, with zero tradable commodities and no farm system worth noting. This team is completely and thoroughly finished and that snake needs to sell this team and Gerry probably ought to go too.
Didn't Oswalt come straight from AA? Gunn, your act is getting quite tiresome. Snake this, snake that, sell the team, become the Yankee's.
Who are you? The guy has and always will be a cheap ass, and untill that ceases to stop or he sell the team, he will always be a snake of an owner.
Because there's a huge difference between the talent level in AA and in the majors - that's why every team has these teams called, "AAA Teams". It's a stepping stone process, rather than rush a guy to a level he's not prepared for, gradually increase the opposition step-by-step so the transition to the pros is easier. Even Mark Prior spent time in the minors, and he was ML ready while he was still at USC.
How much more would he need to spend for him not to be a cheap-ass? I'm sincerely asking. Obviously, many people disagree on this issue. Some blame the system, others blame the owners for being cheap.
