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Snippet about possibly trading Wagner to Red Sox to sign Pettitte

Discussion in 'Houston Astros' started by hoopgod13, Oct 30, 2003.

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  1. hoopgod13

    hoopgod13 Member

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    Yankees to pass on Ramirez
    By Buster Olney
    ESPN The Magazine

    The New York Yankees have no interest in placing a waiver claim on Boston Red Sox outfielder Manny Ramirez, according to a baseball executive who has had contact with a high-ranking member of the team's front office Thursday.

    The Red Sox placed Ramirez on irrevocable waivers this week, meaning that any team willing to take on the remaining five years and $100 million on Ramirez's contract could have him so long as they placed a claim by Friday. If two or more teams were to place claims, the team that finished lower in the standings would be awarded Ramirez.

    But Ramirez's annual salary of $20 million -- which did not seem far out of line three years ago, at a time when the Rangers' Alex Rodriguez received a 10-year, $252 million deal -- is extraordinarily high, by current standards. Even for the Yankees, apparently. "There is no chance" the Yankees will put a claim on Ramirez, according to the executive.

    The Yankees are aware, according to the executive, that if they claimed Ramirez, the Yankees could essentially create circumstances that would lead to the departure of pitcher Andy Pettitte, who is eligible for free agency this offseason. If the Yankees relieved Boston of Ramirez and the accompanying financial burden, the Red Sox could then turn around and make a deal with the Houston Astros -- perhaps for expensive reliever Billy Wagner -- and free up payroll for the Astros to sign Pettitte, whose preference may be to return to his home in Texas.

    Pettitte is the Yankees' priority this offseason, and if Pettitte decides to sign outside of Texas, he could cost the Yankees heavily, adding to a long list of financial commitments. Shortstop Derek Jeter signed a $189 million deal before the 2001 season. First baseman Jason Giambi signed a seven-year, $120 million deal before the 2002 season. Catcher Jorge Posada, center fielder Bernie Williams, pitcher Mike Mussina are locked into long-term deals -- to say nothing of pitchers Jeff Weaver, Steve Karsay, Chris Hammond and Jose Contreras.

    Adding Ramirez also would throw another designated hitter candidate onto the roster loaded with aging sluggers. There is some question about how much longer Williams and Giambi could play in the field, because of their deteriorating physical conditions.

    One executive said Thursday he would be shocked if any team placed a claim for Ramirez, in an offseason when the free agents rolls will already contain Vladimir Guerrero and Gary Sheffield -- players who figure to get less than $20 million annually, if the market trend continues. Many big-market teams have cut payroll the last two years, and while the Yankees and Baltimore Orioles will probably be among the very few teams to invest heavily in big-name players this offseason, they could be interested in better financial values than Ramirez.
     
    #1 hoopgod13, Oct 30, 2003
  2. The Real Shady

    The Real Shady Member

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    I could possibly see Hidalgo being involved in the deal since they will need another outfielder also.
     
    #2 The Real Shady, Oct 30, 2003
  3. Lil Francis

    Lil Francis Member

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    So they plan to trade Wagner for some minor league players?
     
    #3 Lil Francis, Oct 30, 2003
  4. Rocketman95

    Rocketman95 Hangout Boy

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    It'd be nice to get Damon from them.
     
    #4 Rocketman95, Oct 30, 2003
  5. ArtV

    ArtV Member

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    On a side note - if someone does pick up Manny, the Red Sox are talking about trading Nomar and prospects for Arod. Interesting...
     
    #5 ArtV, Oct 31, 2003
  6. Oski2005

    Oski2005 Member

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    Don't hold your breath RM95.
     
    #6 Oski2005, Oct 31, 2003
  7. DFW_Rockets_Fan

    DFW_Rockets_Fan Member

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    Gammons mentioned something like this on the Mike and Mike show on ESPN radio this morning. He did not give details, but he included Hidalgo as well.

    All the reporters seems to be willing to discuss who the Astros will trade away, but they do not say who they would get in return.
     
    #7 DFW_Rockets_Fan, Oct 31, 2003
  8. BigM

    BigM Member

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    they said the samething on PTI yesterday as well.
     
    #8 BigM, Oct 31, 2003
  9. Al22ex

    Al22ex Member

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    Heres the deal that should be made with the Sox... I am in Boston and am a fan of both teams and I think this deal would help both teams tremendously.

    Astros send to Boston

    Billy Wagner RP

    and

    Richard Hidalgo OF


    Boston sends to Houston

    Bill Mueller

    and

    Tim Wakefield

    Now I know they wont do this because you cant trade the batting champ and the heart and soul of your team.

    But lets face it Boston Needs a Closer has money to pay and needs another offensive outfielder Since Trot Nixons days in Boston may or may not last any longer.

    Houston could move Ensberg to Short and Mueller to third


    an alteration to this deal would be to send Tro Nixon rather than Mueller to plug in the hole left by Hidalgo.

    and rather than Wakefield sending Derek Lowe to Houston

    Either way houston needs a starter gets one... Boston needs bull pen help and gets one heck of a closer.. Imagine the red Sox Bull pen with Williamson as the set up guy and Wagner closing...almost as good as Lidge and Dotel
     
    #9 Al22ex, Nov 1, 2003
  10. redgoose

    redgoose Member

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    I've got a gut feeling it will be a Wagner for Kim trade.

    The Astros cut payroll and recieve either an average starting pitcher in Kim or an awesome reliever in Kim to go along with Dotel and Lidge in the bullpen.

    NY needs a right fielder bad and that's where Hidalgo comes in. Hidalgo for Jeff Weaver or a minor leaguer so we can free up some money for pitching.

    Keep in mind we still have to resign Oswalt, Miller, and Dotel.

    Life sucks if your an Astros fan. :mad:
     
    #10 redgoose, Nov 2, 2003
  11. Buck Turgidson

    Buck Turgidson Member

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    Nonsense.
     
    #11 Buck Turgidson, Nov 2, 2003
  12. Rocketman95

    Rocketman95 Hangout Boy

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    I wanted to give you the honors.
     
    #12 Rocketman95, Nov 2, 2003
  13. Mr. Clutch

    Mr. Clutch Member

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    I see Pettite becoming another Drabek/Swindell. He is good, but old. He has been breaking down the past couple of years and frankly his regular season stats aren't that good.

    I want him but not if our budget is limited and we can get some speed at the leadoff spot. Too bad we didn't sign Juan Pierre last year.

    We still have:
    Oswalt
    Miller
    Robertson
    Redding
    Hernandez or Scrub

    Our leadoff spot and lack of speed are more pressing needs.

    How about this: McLane sells the team to some rich dude, who keeps everybody and signs more players? What do you guys think?
     
    #13 Mr. Clutch, Nov 2, 2003
  14. BALLhog 247 365

    BALLhog 247 365 Member

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    pettittes only 31...hes not old
     
    #14 BALLhog 247 365, Nov 2, 2003
  15. Mr. Clutch

    Mr. Clutch Member

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    Okay let's look at his stats.

    2003 21-8, 4.02 ERA, 208 IP- Not bad but his ERA is a bit high.

    2002 13-5, 3.28 ERA but was injured part of the season

    2001 15-10, 3.99 ERA

    2000 19-9, 4.35 ERA

    1999 14-11, 4.70 ERA


    Do we really want to pay that much for a guy who's ERA is going to be above 4.00? He's good but there are better.
     
    #15 Mr. Clutch, Nov 2, 2003
  16. DallasThomas

    DallasThomas Member

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    Paying ~$4 Million for a pretty damn good starting pitcher is still better than paying $7 Million for a top 3 reliever that pitches less than an inning a game on average.


    Pettitte @ 4 Mill > Wagner @ 7 Mill.

    And it's probably the best you can do if you're the Astros.
     
    #16 DallasThomas, Nov 3, 2003
  17. bobrek

    bobrek Politics belong in the D & D

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    Pettitte made over 11 million in 2003. I suspect he'll want more than 4 million.
     
    #17 bobrek, Nov 3, 2003
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