this from teh chronicle. drayton makes reference to some sticking point. it slipped away from us at the last minute. what the hell? no way. if mclane and purpura believe this, they're idiots. beltran and boras deliberately stonewalled the stros. Those are the real killer B's. He's gone: Astros fail to reach deal with Beltran All-Star center fielder to sign with Mets By JOSE DE JESUS ORTIZ Despite a record offer from the Astros, free agent Carlos Beltran will not play for the team next season. Beltran, the 27-year-old center fielder who helped the Astros to their first playoff series win and captivated the city with his amazing array of skills, chose not to accept the biggest contract in Astros history just a few minutes before an 11 p.m. deadline Saturday night. Beltran will instead sign with the New York Mets. ``It slipped through our fingers in the last, last few minutes,'' Astros owner Drayton McLane said. ``It was just some sticking point. It should never, never had gotten to this.'' Because Beltran ealier had declined salary arbitration, the Astros had until then to sign him or lose negotiating rights until May 1. Agent Scott Boras called the Astros shortly before the deadline to tell them Beltran would be going elsewhere. While final numbers weren't available, Beltran's offer surpassed in total value the Astros' previous record contract of $85 million, which Jeff Bagwell received on a five-year deal that will expire after the 2006 season unless a club option is picked up for 2007. Beltran's decision came after a long and agonizing day for the Astros and their fans, who had clung to the desperate hope that the player would stay in Houston. Beltran, had 38 home runs with 104 RBIs and 42 stolen bases between the Astros and Kansas City Royals this past season. He raised his stock in the playoffs, hitting .435 with eight home runs, 14 RBIs, nine walks and six stolen bases over 12 games while leading the Astros within a victory of the franchise's first World Series berth. Beltran's postseason excellence caught the baseball world's attention, and he has 12 Major League Baseball and Astros franchise postseason records to show for it. The Astros were 38-34 and two games behind in the wild-card race before Beltran was traded to Houston in a three-team deal that sent closer Octavio Dotel to the Oakland A's and top catching prospect John Buck to Kansas City. After picking up Beltran, the Astros were 54-36 (.600) with him to win the National League's wild-card playoff berth by a game ahead of the San Francisco Giants. The Astros had hoped to make Beltran the face of the franchise, both as a player and as an ambassador to Houston's large Latino community. Despite the fact that Beltran chose to go elsewhere, McLane's pursuit created a tremendous sense of goodwill between the franchise and the Latino community, said several prominent Houston political and business leaders. ``I'm excited about the energy and focus Drayton McLane put on this opportunity,'' said Councilman Adrian Garcia, who was a member of the old Astros' Buddy program as a child. ``It demonstrated Drayton McLane's commitment to maintain a winning team. It's a great opportunity to create an image that's consistent with the city of Houston.'' McLane made his plea personally on Dec. 22 when Beltran and his agent, Scott Boras, visited with McLane and top Astros officials during a face-to-face meeting. The parties had numerous negotiating sessions since Dec. 22, closing out the dialogue with four consecutive days of phone calls. ``Drayton is to be commended for making the offer, for taking such a serious and significant position,'' said Councilwoman Carol Alvarado, a lifelong Astros fan who submitted a letter urging Beltran to sign with the Astros. ``Thank you to our city leaders who stepped up and sent letters and proclamations to Carlos. We really wanted to make clear we were serious about baseball.'' Beltran definitely has box office appeal, and part of McLane's recruiting was a highlight video showing Beltran the support he got from Houston fans during the magical ride through the playoffs. The Astros' attendance with Beltran rose, going from an average of 37,547 before he was acquired to 38,655 after. Beltran, who has had 100 RBIs and 100 runs in five of his past six seasons, is the only player in baseball history to compile four consecutive seasons with at least 20 home runs, 100 runs, 100 RBIs and 30 stolen bases. He also is only one of seven center fielders in baseball history to compile four consecutive seasons with 20 home runs and 100 RBIs, joining Joe DiMaggio, Ken Griffey Jr., Willie Mays, Dale Murphy, Duke Snider and Hack Wilson. He won't be adding to those totals as an Astro.
This one is hard to swallow. We bet the farm on Beltran and we lost out. I will say this though..I don't blame Drayton at all for this. McLane put a good offer out there (assuming it was $100 million plus). If Beltran wanted to play for a winner, he would have taken the deal. As much as it pains me to say it, Dick Justice was right. With Beltran, it was all about the money. I tip my hat to the Astros. They did what they needed to. This franchise has a history of lowballing people, but this was not one of those instances. Now let's spend some of that money towards filling some of our holes. And let's see if we can still get Clemens to play one more season.
God this is so dissapointing, man I am truly pissed about this. I will follow my astros next year with my heart, what a passionate determined team. Give them all the props in the world for gowing the distance, they cared about the team. FUUUUK Beltran and Boras. Those fools have show what this world is coming to. Its not about love or passion anymore, but about freaking money and power. Time to go cry!
This was all Boras' doing. This deal was never going to get done, Boras had no intention of signing with the Astros -- he was just playing the Astros like hoes. And it worked. He can burn in Hell with Karl Malone for all I care . . . I don't blame Carlos Beltran as much as I blame Boras. Boras has a heavy hand over his clients, and I don't trust anything he says about it being Carlos' decision. Scott has been known to strongarm players in signing with clubs they didn't want to sign with because of the money.
Boy I have a feeling its gonna be a long season. No Clemens, that batting practice of a bullpen, and Beltran sold us out. This sucks.
Hey Scott, this is Carlos. Man, I changed my mind. I want to play in Houston. Scott: There was a deadline of 11 pm. Carlos: Hey, you told me that it was pacific time, not central. Scott: Sorry, dont worry. WE got the Mets to Cave in. Carlos: But, but. . . Scott: Just get ready to be shown the money Carlos: But I want to win. Scott: You have, you got the money. BYe
Well, shall we start a Berkman/Oswalt thread? It's now time for McLane and Purpura to concentrate on keeping what stars we do have in Astros uniforms for many years to come. Berkman for 6-7 years/12 mil per. Oswalt for 5 years / $10 mil per. Do we turn to Burnitz? Take a chance on Maglio (which also means dealing with Boras again)? Trade for Cheito? What about Danny Bautista or Brian Jordan? How about a starter? Bullpen help? No time for what if's now. Beltran would be here if he truly wanted to be. He made his choice. It was about the money and not about the location or winning. Oh well and good riddance. Time to get this team ready for spring training.
Even though losing in the Beltran sweepstakes is a BIG setback, we shouldn't do anything rash i.e. trading for overpaid, old players or signing any remaining player to a big contract. I say just let our rookies play. We lost Kent and now Beltran and we might even lose Clemens. This is like go back to the Hakeen/Francis era. We'll just slowly rebuild once the big contracts (Bags) and older players (Biggio) are retired. I mean Lance isn't coming back in time for spring training (i think), we dont' have a 2nd baseman or a CF, and our offense took a big blow. Our pitching will take a big blow if Clemens retires so lets just use this upcoming year as a year to give our rooks experience.
We better start rebuilding now. Don't go after guys who are 35 and hope to make one more run. Start Burke at second, Lane in left, and have Taveras up to play center early in the season.
Not in one player, but in that player.... ------------------------------ Entering the playoffs, Beltran had not hit a home run in his final 89 at-bats. In September, he drove in seven runs in 97 at-bats. "What I don't understand,'' said one member of the Astros, "is how he only hit .267 this year. Shouldn't it have been higher?'' The 2004 season was Beltran's first 30-home run season. He has five, 100-RBI seasons, but none with as many as 110. His career slugging percentage is .490, which is 109 points lower than Manny Ramirez's. His career on-base percentage is .353, 79 points lower than Todd Helton's. ---------------------------- Beltran will be good, but not that good.
Yeah that has really worked out well hasn't it Honestly thought I really think we are going to look back on this in a few years and be glad we did not break the bank for him. Even though we will probably really sick this coming season hopefully the team will be able to make some mves over the course of the next year to get them back into contention.
lets start the rebuilding project.. pickup some big players when bagwells contract goes away.. resign berkman and oswalt
