Thats all the Astros are doing. I'm pretty sure that most of the free agents and trades that the Astros are inquiring about will end up in a "we just came up short" excuse. There are those of us who are naive enough to believe the lie and think that we may get Jeff Kent. Then there are those of us who know better and see this as a way to get fans fired up on the upcoming season. In a television interview with Gerry Hunsicker over the weekend, when asked about Jeff Kent, Gerry replied,"Its a pie-in-the-sky type thing", and "it would take a miracle to acquire Jeff Kent". The look on Hunsicker's face said it all, he looked disheveled and frustrated. I think its true when he says that he has trade offers, and has things working but I think "The Wallet" is holding him back. It has to be frustrating to be hamstrung so tightly and still be expected to field a winning team. Hunsicker has (in my estimation) worked miracles with what little "loose change" he has been given. Biggio's contract is up at the end of this season, thus freeing up money. Many fans think that this will allow the Astros to go after FA's. Maybe Colon (if he doesn't sign an extension) or Vladimir Guerrero (I wish). But lets keep in mind that Berkman's extension kicks in at the same time, so thats where the money will go. Its all a posturing job. The Astros are trying to manipulate the minds of fans thinking that they will actively pursue free agents, or entertain trades to bring in frontline players. It all comes down to money. The Astros main theme every season is that there operating at a loss, they can't contend with the Big Boys because they don't have a big television deal, there isn't enough revenue spending, blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. I love baseball, like many other fans I live and die with my teams (Astros, Rockets, Texans). But when I hear how a billionaire owner is posturing that he can't afford to field a winning team, and gives empty promises to field a "championship team", I can't help but be disgusted. In no way am I saying that he should lose money to appease the fans, but as the cliche` goes if you can't stand the heat stay out of the kitchen.
I was going to to make a long response and retort all your main points, but I don't feel like it right now. Let me summarize it by saying simply: 1) Things change. A "pie in the sky" chance can change to a good chance over the course of a couple days. Hunsicker's comments might not mean anything at this opint 2) You don't know anything for a fact about the Astros intentions to Kent, so quit acting as if anyone who gets their hopes up is a moron and naive. That's insulting and condescending. If we do land Jeff Kent, are you going to come on the BBS and post about how you were naive about listening to every else's bashing of Drayton? I would love to see it.
Geez for every free agent in the league there are 30 teams, some of whom will make a run at him (usually). We can't get every free agent we want no matter how much we wish it were so. Do I want McLane to spend $100 million on salary so we could be the NL Yankees? Shoot yeah. However, some people have seemingly forgot that baseball is a BUSINESS for the owners. Losing money is not good business for them. Drayton doesn't get the $25 million dollar TV deal the Yanks do because he doesn't OWN the friggin' station! The Juice Box is nice, but it doesn't seat as many as Yankee Stadium, leading to smaller gate revenues. I'm hoping we get Kent and manage to acquire a top flight CF, because I think that these moves will help us become NL Central champs AGAIN. Also, with increased revenue sharing and luxury tax in the near future, look for the Yankees to suddenly realize that the free agent market isn't their own private buffet line (see Clemens, Roger).
I don't have to pretend that I know anything about the Astros intentions on Kent. And if anyone does believe that the Astros are actively pursuing him then they are naive. Being naive and being a moron are two completely different frames of mind, you certainly appear to be the latter. If I came across as condescending, then I'm glad, I was laying it on kind of thick. I've been an Astros fans through the "Lastros" era and the Division Championships. McLane has shown that he is not willing to add that crucial piece that would cost him a little more. He would rather go with the bargain-basement fix. I've been a Drayton basher for a long time, I'm not influenced by anyone else's comments. Simple minds are easily influenced, thats probably why you're a Drayton apologist. But I can say that if the Astros decide to spend a little and obtain a few FA's or entertain trades to acquire good players, I'll be the first to come in and say I was wrong, becasue I'm man enough to do it. Whereas if they don't you will come in and say,"Well I guess it wasn't in the stars". I'd love to see that and I fully expect it.
BTW (since for some reason I can't edit my post): Which would you rather be, the Astros or some team like the Devil Rays or Tigers who go into most years KNOWING they're not going to win anything important?
Sure, getting Kent may be a long shot, but we wouldnt be negotiating with his agent for 3 days just to posture. If Drayton was giving BS offers, then Kent's agent wouldnt still be in discussion with the Astros. Im not a Drayton fan, but you are calling others naive and ignorant, while, in the meantime, you should be looking in the mirror.
Where in my post did I call someone ignorant? I said if someone seriously believes that the Astros are going to get Jeff Kent then it is naive to believe it. Its a long-shot at best. Rezdawg you don't know me. Keep your comments to yourself.
And you dont know anyone else...Keep your comments to yourself. Or, if you feel the need to speak, give reasons why Kent's agent has been in discussions with the Astros for 3 days.
Here's what I will do if the Astros don't get Kent. I will admit the possibility that they never intended to make a serious offer to him. In fact, I will admit that that is probably the most likely scenario, based on past situations of a similar nature. But what I will not do is come out and state, matter of factly, that they never intended to sign Kent. Do you know why? It's because I don't really know that. I am not Drayton McClane, I am not Gerry Hunsicker. And unless I'm wrong and either of those two do post on a Rockets BBS, neither are you. So for this reason, I won't be calling people naive if they don't agree with my opinion. The fact that you come out and state that what other people say doesn't effect you goes a long way in proving how futile this discussion is. You are obviously a very stubborn person, so I will give up any attempt I had to reason with you.
Astros in 'serious negotiations' with Kent -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ESPN.com news services HOUSTON -- The Astros are in "serious negotiations'' with free agent second baseman Jeff Kent's agent, Houston owner Drayton McLane Jr. told a television station. "The negotiations have been going on for the past three days, and it could go either way,'' McLane told KRIV-TV in Houston on Monday. http://espn.go.com/mlb/news/2002/1217/1478447.html
Can you please name one other free agent that Drayton McLane said we were in serious negotiations with that we "just came up short" with and didn't try for? I know in the past he's said he would "look" at doing a few things (resigning RJ) that didn't happen, but I've never heard him outright lie about "seriously negotiatiing" with a certain player.
Yes. The quoted part was your words verbatim. That's how the quote function works. The other part was my spelling out the clear implication of your words. Granted, I did so in a somewhat ironic manner, but it still shouldn't have been that hard for you to follow. As for the Kent stuff, I will say right now that the Astros do not actually exist. They are only an illusion put forth by that greedy SOB Drayton McLane, and anyone who thinks elsewise is naive. I know better.
Raven, I will take it a step further. I can virtually assure you this isn't posturing for 4 reasons. 1. Kent and Hunsicker have a friendship from their Met days 2. Kent owns a ranch near Austin 3. Kent gets to stay in a league where he knows the pitchers and can contend for a ring 4. Kent is surrounded with a solid lineup and a very favorable ballpark. Bags Berk Kent, or Kent Berk Bags=nasty. Plus who else wants him that bad: Yankees-no, they like soriano Redsox-maybe, but doesnt make as much sense as houston Tor-youth movement, no way TB/Bal-yeah, right, lol Indians-youth movement, no way White Sox-not as many pluses as houston same money issue Royals, Tigers, Twins-no way Seattle-has boone and not spending Oakland-possible, but they arent spending either Anaheim-no Texas-he wouldnt choose them over us and cutting payroll not adding Atl-they arent spending this offseason NYM- not with robbie alomar around, but they may for 3b? Phi-maybe, but i don't think he wants to play there Mon/Fla-no chance Stl-not happening, the tomko move and trading drew are their only real objectives Chi-Baker and 3b? Possibly but they arent contending. And its further from his home. Milw/Cin/Pit-no chance SF-possible but unlikely SD-no COL-attractive park, but not spending not contending Ari-they dont have the cash, not as attractive as houston LA-if he holds a grudge, sure, but I think if money is equal he prefers houston. So in conclusion, if Kent wants out of SF, we are dealing with in all probability the RedSox, LA, Cubbies, and possibly the Mets, and maybe the Yanks-doubtful. And none of those 5 bets fits those 4 requirements I listed like houston. This tells me the ball is in our court. Go get him, guys.
Yes he would. This would go towards making other teams get into a bidding war with the Astros, real bid or not.
To play devil's advocate, Kent's agent benefits from even a BS offer from Mclane because it puts pressure on other teams like the Red Sox to bolster their offer to Kent.
Oh wait, I was posting because I thought Jared Novak had finally responed to the question I had asked twice. Nevermind.
Do you think the Astros are the only other team inquiring about Kent? There are a handful of teams that have offers waiting for Jeff.
