Geez. I thought the Dodgers caught a break when JD Drew opted out of 3 years, 33 million. Then they go and give Juan Pierre 5 years, 45 million. Then the Cubs are handing out a 4+ mill/year deal to a career utility player (Derosa) on top of the absurd length for Soriano. Now, a guy who has spent the vast majority of his career as a 4th/5th outfielder, has logged 500 ABs in a season once, has hit below .250 in his 8 year career as many times as he has hit above it, has never hit 20 homeruns, never driven in 80 runs, and scored more than 75 runs once, and is now getting 10 mill a year, for 5 years at age 31? Sure he's a very good defensive CF, but wow. Just wow. After getting Vlad at basically a bargain rate (14m), and even Colon and Anderson aren't so terrible (12m each), then dropped 10million for a 40 year old Steve Finley. And think - if a guy like Adam Everett manages a magical season in his contract year where he can poke 15-20 homeruns, and keep his average around .280, how much is he worth? 12 million?
It seems to me like profits are soaring, and we are seeing the results. Is 18M a year for Carlos Lee that bad considering the new market?
FWIW: My dad played golf with Woody Williams' brother today. He got a call on the 17th hole saying he has agreed to play for the Astros. All second-third hand, just thought some of you might like to know - don't shoot the messenger!
Everyone knows the offense is awful and we need help desperately, but these contracts are a joke. 8yr 136mil for Soriano? All he can do is hit HRs and steal bases. Doesn't hit for average, strikes out a ton and is an atrocious defensive player. The money is ridiculous. 6 yrs 14 mil per for Carlos Lee. He's a good hitter, but not that good. 10 mil for frickin Gary Matthews?? No way. I'm beginning to think that if we can find someone to take over 2b after Biggio allowing us to trade Burke, that Vernon Wells. He is actually worth a huge contact. 5 tool player, gold glove CF, power, average and only 27 yrs old. I'd give Burke, Taveras, Hirsh, Pence, Bucholz. If I were Timmy P, I woul pursue Wells very heavily.
Thank god we have Berkman and Oswalt locked up. Can you imagine what they would command on the open market? I still really want us to get Lee, but if he's making more than Berkman, that just doesn't seem right.
perhaps the angels signed matthews because Lee told them thanks but no thanks.... im guessing its us and the O's and it'll come down to a couple more million and play for the O's...or a couple less million and play for a real team
I have no physical/printed evidence but the Astros are extremely close if not done with signing Woody Williams. It is for a two year deal with the second year being an option year. I have no money details but I really think that this is an important add regardless of whether or not Roger and Andy come back.
I don't know if this is worth anything or not...but on ESPNNEWS earlier today...there was a "breaking news" box that stated "Astros and Carole Lee in serious negotiations!" Who knows!!!
saw on the news that they apparently offered him around 15 mil a year and he should have an answer as soon as Tuesday or so.
if that doesn't get it, the astros need to back off. it's overpaying for that guy, anyway. and then all the critics can tell us how cheap drayton is.
Sounds about like the 5 years, 73 million (14.6 million/yr) the Chronicle reported. I wouldn't budge from that offer. Offering more than 5 years for Lee is a huge risk given his body type. And with the scale bounds being 10 million (Matthews) and 17 million (Soriano), I think 15 million makes sense. There have been a few different people reporting through personal sources (friends of friends, etc.) that Woody Williams is a done deal, so it sounds like it's good to go. I'm curious to see what we do with Huff/3B situation.
Signing Williams and Lee would be nice. I guess that would mean Clemens is retiring? How come Pettitte has not resigned? At least Purpura is active. Biggio still got too much if you ask me. He got a raise for doing what?
Because once he gets close to 3000, the ticket sales are gonna jump like a Roger Clemens start every home game. Also, near the end of the season, when people realize this is it, the last Rodeo, there will be another spike that will more than pay for that contract and a nice profit for Drayton.
I'm more concerned with that than I am about Lee. I'd really like to see the Astros platoon Huff and Ensberg. I don't want a return to the .900 OPS against lefties, .600 OPS against righties days.
