I doubt that Gordon will command a huge salary. So I think the Astros are a good bet to retain him. If we didn't we wouldn't make a deal to pick him up with an impending strike.
First off, the astros havent won all of those division titles because of Drayton. They have won them because the GM has put some quality players together. Anyways, the Astros are looking to make a deal because no strike will occur. Just because there is a date set doesnt mean its going to happen. Hunsicker will do all he can to get in one or more players to help this team make one last run.
The owners are trying to get a deal done...but the players have said they have made all the concessions they intend to make.
Well, like Mike Williams from last year, Gordon will probably look to be a closer with another team, unless the Astros traded Wagner. Fact is that Gordon would be our 2nd setup guy behind Dotel. I would love to re-sign him because he would be very useful in cutting down Dotel's innings.
He likely will want to be a closer. The question is whether there is a team that he would want to go to that wants him as a closer. Regardless if the Astros do not resign him it will likely not be due to money.
you could say that about any team in the league....so how then do you judge the quality of an owner. I would say if the guy has shown a willingness to spend money to build a winning ball club. That means developing the minor league system as well as going after free agents. The Astros have built one hell of an organization from top to bottom under McLane's reign...before McLane, they were a joke. Now they're a perennial contender. Again...McLane has fielded a team good enough to get to the postseason, and a team that SHOULD HAVE WON in the playoffs. Ultimately he can't go out there and swing the bats for them...if the players hit as they indicated they would over the course of a 162 game season, the Astros would have AT LEAST made the World Series once in the past 5 years. They've underperformed in the playoffs...and I'm not sure how you can lay that at the owner's feet while at the same time giving him no credit for the fact they've won division titles.
