Before we go too crazy on this, we're making a whole lot of assumptions about Burke and centerfield right now. Willy T really improved during his time here and became a great defensive centerfielder - not at the Jones/Beltran level, but well above average. We may gain a lot on offense from Burke (assuming his shoulder can stay in place), but it's yet-to-be-determined how much we lose on defense. We had the option of playing Burke in CF last year and chose to keep Willy T out there for the most part.
couldnt agree more.....his range and arm were "A" calibur....no question we lose something defensively
i'm not a big willy t fan but he was on track to be a fantastic defender. i don't really have a problem with this trade anymore but if jennings walks after this season it will be a disaster. well unless the three guys we gave up continue to be mediocre.
but if jennings walks after this season ... If Jennings has a good season, we can't afford him in the next offseason. If Jennings does not have a good season (ie last year was his career year), we could barely afford him but would take a gamble to do so.
Why not? Considering what we gave up for him, I think we're prepared to come to the table with the $$ Regardless, Ihope they get an extension done soon so it's not a question mark
In this offseason, Jason Schmidt got three-year, $47 million contract. That is the neighborhood that Jennings is one good year away from.
They paid Schmidt based on past performance... and the next year... not the "potential" that you think Jennings has (to apparently be as good as Jason Schmdt). Jennings would have to have an AMAZING year... Cy Young contending year... to come even close to sniffing a deal like Schmidts.
Hasn't Carlos Zambrano or his agent already stated they are looking $15 miilion per deal next offseason?
I think they'll try to lock Jennings up before the season begins, just in case the market goes crazy again next winter.
Hell... he's looking for $15 million THIS season... and he's worth it. The guys you're comparing Jennings to are bonafied top-of-the-rotation aces.
Why would Jennigs do that deal? Take a $10 million per deal now instead of a $15 million per in the next offseason?
Jeff Weaver is 30 and has a career 4.58 ERA who struggled last year in the regular season. Last year he made $8,325,000 and will certainly make more than $10 large next season. Jennings is younger and better. BTW what would the Jennings extension deal look like now? 5 years x $12/13 large?
Weaver hasn't signed with anybody because nobody is offering that much money. He's a perfect example of why you don't pay for "potential" in this league anymore... as he got that huge deal simply based on his age and future production. I'd offer Jennings a 4 year deal at $30-40 million, plus incentives. If he didn't take that, I'd see what kind of year he had, and then offer him a contract based on that. The Astros can afford it if they know what they're getting.
Didn't Weaver wait for Zito set the high bar before talking seriously with anyone? Besides Weaver which SP FAs are left? If Jennings eats 200 innings with an ERA below 4, he will ask and get the moon. a big IF.
Weaver waited for everybody.... he should have done what his buddy Suppan did and take the first good offer. What teams are still as desperate for pitching, that they were willing to give Gil Meche and Ted Lilly $10 million dollar deals? The Astros can afford a top-flight #2 starter... he won't make as much as Oswalt, but if he is able to do 200 innings and sub 4 ERA, he'll get paid for it (as we paid Pettite).
I was very much against this deal. Still feel like we gave up way too much. I don't mind losing Hirsch, but I wanted to keep Willy T. And Buchholz is going to be a star down the line. However, the more I learn about Jennings, the more I think he is going to have a kick ass year playing for the Astros.
