The one thing that is not mentioned is the payroll relief that the insurance company will give concerning Bagwell, at least 50% will the settlement, I would guess. DD
So you're an expert on contract law now? Even if that's true, we will still have a very high payroll, one of the highest in baseball. This team is not "cheap" as many of you would like to believe. Deal with it.
Ehem junior, pay attention now. I did not say he was cheap, I merely pointed out that in most insurance cases they settle, and it seems that when calculating payroll, no one is taking that into consideration. Now, when you finish your reading comprehension classes come back, and I will teach you some more lessons about baseball and life, KID ! DD
Why would you take into account something as hypothetical as that? They may have a guess as to what the insurance company will end up settling for, but that shouldn't change how the payroll looks for this year.
Maybe you should pay attention. I didn't claim that you said that Bagwell was cheap. Perhaps you misread my use of the word 'cheap' as referring directly to Bagwell. In actuality, I was referencing ridiculous accusations made by fans regarding ownership frugality in terms of the total payroll. Also, why would anybody take into consideration the insurance claim when calculating payroll? The outcome is unknown. The Astros have the 8th highest payroll in baseball. Even if we don't sign Clemens (personally I find that unlikely), and if Drayton recoups the entire 18 million from Bagwell's case (very unlikely), the Astros would still be in the top half of the league in spending. With Clemens signing, the payroll could possibly be above the 100 Million mark. The ownership is not "cheap". Care to refute any of this Aceshigh, etc.?
Well it's a shame looking at the current record that the team essentially squandered that 19-9 start. But if you look at it from a glass-half-full perspective, that hot start allowed them to remain in relatively good shape through this slump. Otherwise we'd be far back, and I just don't think the team would be capable of another miracle run (they're not called miracles for nothing). As it is, I'm still not panicking. It's a long season and all teams go through slumps. Plus I just don't see anything out there worth getting in a trade (that we could trade for), or anybody we could bring up that is ready. I think for the time being the team needs to stand firm with the hand they got, mix up the starting starting lineup a bit (putting Lamb and Burke in more possibly) and hope Buchholz and Pettite start to find some consistancy (Oswalt, Wandy and Nieve are doing good though). And then hope that Clemens (and Backe) will come back. If an opportunity comes at the trading deadline (and assuming the team is still in the hunt), I'd consider making a move, but it would have to be a move that is worth it for the team long term. After this season, the Astros are gonna have a lot of room to work with, essentially to sign some outfielders and a catcher too (Ausmus is gone either this season or next). So I think it's essential to keep this nucleus relatively intact...cause really they just need a few more bats (specifically hitters who can get on base and drive in runs; not necessarily power guys with high SO numbers) assuming Wilson and Lane can't work things out (and Willy can't improve). In any case, the focus is still now, and right now it's a little worrying, but still not full-blown panic mode yet.
Wily is trying to make sure Burke doesn't get his CF time. He wanted to give the RBI to Ensberg instead. And way to go Munson! Wilson has been running slow lately it seems. At least he's hitting.
Well that sucks. Bay just homered for the 5th consecutive game. That's 9 homers in 11 games. he is HOT! 5-4 Buccaneers.
Pretty snakebit... that's now twice in two nights where the go-ahead big inning by the Astros is followed right up with the give-it-up big inning for the Pirates.
haha ... that was funny ... the Pirates announcers were all setting it up for a huge ovation for Bay from the crowd, and they said, "Lets see what the fans have to say ... " and it sounded like a few people were clapping and everyone else was ignoring the game.
Ugh... Burke had to slow down big time because Biggio was trotting home on a ball that should have been caught. Also, Gar's argument is that the catcher never tagged Burke after blocking the plate.
Wow we actually got a break for once ... not sure about the call at home ... I thought he looked out to me, so I'm not sure I could complain either way Edit: OK just saw another angle and he was DEFINITELY safe ... bad break for us
