That is true. The Astros filed a notice with the Court saying all the parties had agreed, and that they'd still be having phone conferences among themselves while they were at the Winter Meetings.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>Tweeting all day today from SBJ's Sports Media & Technology conference! First speaker is DirecTV CEO. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23sbjsmt&src=hash">#sbjsmt</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23omnigonsmt&src=hash">#omnigonsmt</a></p>— Kristi Dosh (@SportsBizMiss) <a href="https://twitter.com/SportsBizMiss/statuses/400618894874124288">November 13, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>DirecTV CEO says sometimes you have to take a "tough stand" as a distributor- references Pac-12 and CSN Houston. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23sbjsmt&src=hash">#sbjsmt</a></p>— Kristi Dosh (@SportsBizMiss) <a href="https://twitter.com/SportsBizMiss/statuses/400624365051867138">November 13, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>DirecTV CEO says the days are over where carrying a new channel equates to getting new subscribers. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23sbjsmt&src=hash">#sbjsmt</a></p>— Kristi Dosh (@SportsBizMiss) <a href="https://twitter.com/SportsBizMiss/statuses/400624849405886464">November 13, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>DirecTV CEO asked why they took Lakers and not CSN Houston. He says they asked Houston customers and only 25% would pay for CSN Houston.</p>— Kristi Dosh (@SportsBizMiss) <a href="https://twitter.com/SportsBizMiss/statuses/400625147973218304">November 13, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>DirecTV CEO says they offered to carry CSN Houston a la carte but that's not what the channel wanted. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23SBJSMT&src=hash">#SBJSMT</a></p>— Kristi Dosh (@SportsBizMiss) <a href="https://twitter.com/SportsBizMiss/statuses/400625560252342272">November 13, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>DirecTV CEO asked about new Comcast low-cost package without ESPN. He says they don't think they'd have many takers. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23SBJSMT&src=hash">#SBJSMT</a></p>— Kristi Dosh (@SportsBizMiss) <a href="https://twitter.com/SportsBizMiss/statuses/400627010231599104">November 13, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>DirecTV CEO: not sure a la carte makes sense, but maybe if network wants to charge more than $1/sub/month then it makes sense. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23SBJSMT&src=hash">#SBJSMT</a></p>— Kristi Dosh (@SportsBizMiss) <a href="https://twitter.com/SportsBizMiss/statuses/400628210377191424">November 13, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script><blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p>My takeaway from DirecTV CEO's interview at <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23sbjsmt&src=hash">#sbjsmt</a> is that sports are crucial but he's reached breaking point with some network's demands.</p>— Kristi Dosh (@SportsBizMiss) <a href="https://twitter.com/SportsBizMiss/statuses/400628657615810560">November 13, 2013</a></blockquote> <script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
I don't know, but I would like to know more about the poll that said only 25% of Houston would pay for CSN like what questions were asked, what subscriber fees were mentioned, etc. I wonder if they asked, "would you be willing to lose Fox SW for CSN"? I doubt it.
Funny because DirecTV owns stations the same way Comcast does. They own the ROOT networks around the country.
They all reek of hypocrisy, and I wouldn't trust any provider over the other. It all comes down to $$$.
We suck so bad even you could start for us is a hell of a free agent pitch. http://blog.chron.com/ultimateastros/2013/11/13/astros-lure-to-free-agents-you-can-be-the-guy/ ORLANDO, Fla. — Three straight 50-win seasons hasn’t deterred player interest in the Astros. Player agents know that there’s a light at the end of the tunnel for the Astros. One player agent spoke Wednesday at the general managers meetings of the attractiveness of opportunity — that coming to Houston could bring mean a chance to play prominently, something that other teams might not be able to offer. “It’s a double-edged sword,” Astros GM Jeff Luhnow said. “Someone looking to win a World Series title next year may not think about the Astros as the first place to go sign. But having said that, we also have an opportunity. Jose Veras signed with us (last year) because he could be the closer. As of right now, we’re going into next year with that role in competition. There’s a lot of other clubs that don’t have that. You can be a starter in our rotation, potentially be an every outfielder on our club. You can be the guy. You have an opportunity to be the guy. We play indoors, we play in a controlled environment where you know you’re going to play very night. It’s in the middle of the country, there are no state taxes. There’s a lot of attractive reasons.” An agent acknowledged that Houston could end up being a destination spot for players who boil down to reclamation projects, guys who might slip through the cracks until late in the offseason and need a chance to re-establish their careers. But a lot will depend on the player — what’s important to them? Is it being on a winner or being somewhere where they matter? Agents know the Astros are willing to spend, and they feel — just as the club does — that the team will soon be on an upswing. One agent compared the Astros to an up-and-coming version of the Rays. “That would be a positive one, yeah,” agent Scott Boras said Wednesday when asked about Houston’s declared intention to spend this winter. “The Astros are — they’re like Disney Land. If the kids come, it’s a great attraction.” Boras and the Astros are planning to meet. Shin-Soo Choo, one of the top outfielders available — and someone who was presented a qualifying offer — is a Boras client. Just how much the Astros are willing to spend isn’t known. Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said during the GM meetings that the Mets were unlikely to hand out a $100 million contract. When Luhnow was asked in that context if the Astros could do something major, he did not rule it out. “I don’t see why not,” Luhnow said. “If it’s the right situation for the right player, the right length of years. Houston’s a big city. We’ve got the capacity to compete with the big boys ultimately, and whether or not we start this year or next year after that, I think eventually it’s coming. It’s a matter of being opportunistic and recognizing what the right time is.” Boras was critical of the Astros in March, suggesting that the team was intentionally tanking to secure a No. 1 draft pick. Houston does have the top overall draft pick again in 2014, after taking Boras client Mark Appel with the top pick in 2013. Boras maintains that the system needs to be changed, but he spoke positively of the organization on Wednesday. “Any team that is in a major market, which Houston is, they have to have a plan,” Boras said. “I think the reality of it is, particularly with new ownership, you’re going to get a honeymoon period to execute the plan. The question is, do they come out and be a winner right away with what they were left with? And the answer was no. So for them to recreate a design for a few years, that is a stride towards winning. “The question always is, is (losing) to get the draft picks only? That’s why the system needs to be changed. You can’t have a system where you can have a direct relationship between your performance the prior season and your draft pick the next.”
Just that our owner claimed he was going to spend money this year and it looks like he is bargain basement shopping again. He's currently holding out for money that he will likely never spend on the team.
FWIW Having access to watch the Rockets on ballstreams is better than paying for CSN H. I'm sitting in an airport watching the game.
Also, any high priced Free Agents will most likely cost them an extremely high draft pick. They have to decide if it's worth it.
Notice I said an "extremely high" draft pick, not their first draft pick. I think they would stand to lose the one they received in trade, in the low 30s.
From the comments in the article, it sounded like they were going after free agents afraid to compete for a spot the team. There’s a lot of other clubs that don’t have that. You can be a starter in our rotation, potentially be an every outfielder on our club. You can be the guy. You have an opportunity to be the guy. An agent acknowledged that Houston could end up being a destination spot for players who boil down to reclamation projects, guys who might slip through the cracks until late in the offseason and need a chance to re-establish their careers. But a lot will depend on the player — what’s important to them? Is it being on a winner or being somewhere where they matter?
The comment you quoted is from an agent, not the team. But besides that, you pretty much covered everyone. Dustin Pedroia wouldn't sign somewhere that had Robinson Cano and vice-versa. MLB players want to play. They are going to go places where they can play rather than where they can sit on the bench - the Astros have more opportunities to do that than most. The difference is that a player who's trying to win a World Series in the next year or two isn't going to sign with the Astros - which everyone knew and expected. They are rebuilding from within. The superstar free agents won't come and shouldn't be signed anyway until the core is in place and needs to be supplemented. Signing a Robinson Cano to make a 70 win team into an 80 win team is a pointless exercise for both the team and the player.
The first part is from Jeff Luhnow. He's an agent? It's not pointless for people tired of watching the Astros cheat the system and the fans to get picks which may or may not pan out. Scott Boros as much said MLB should do something to prevent teams from tanking.
Any chance you can take the discussion over free agency to one of the threads about the Astros offseason?
