This "loyalty" business doesn't exist in sports, except in the form of $$$. For that reason, the Astros are VERY loyal to Bagwell, for they gave him that ridiculous 6yr/$85 mil contracts that has been biting them in the ass ever since. As for Bagwell's value on the open market, look at what the Cubs got for Sammy: eat most of his contract and worthless prospects. Bagwell is a worse hitter than Sammy right now, and has an extra year on the contract. Meaning the Astros could trade him by eating two years worth of Bagwell's contract for worthless prospects.
Nothing, to much money nobody will take him unless he goes on a tear and even than unlikely this is off topic I noticed that Bagwell is listed as 180 this season? Whats up with that? He had to be way over 180 not to long ago. Biggio is listed as 185. Something doesn't seem right. I'm not sure what Bag's weight was back in his day but it had to be above 200. And I doubt Biggio out ever out weighed bagwell.
Jeff... What is he good for? Absolutely nothing! Say it again! Jeff... What is he good for? Absolutely nothing! (Go Astros.)
not ENTIRELY true. there are examples of guys taking less money to stick with a franchise. there are examples of franchises paying a guy more long term because he already did great things for them.
It doesn't follow that players who took less money did so out of loyalty. Sure, some did. Others take less for any number of factors, including lifestyle, familiarity, chance to win, friendships, hometown, weather (sunny vs. snow), family, opportunity, endorsements, market size (big vs. small), etc. And franchises overpaying for established vets (like the Stros with Bags) could do so because of the ability to market the franchise, perceived fan reaction to that player leaving, ability of that player to personally sell tickets (Clemens), or simply bad business decisions or misreading a fluctuating player market. Who knew that the skyrocketing salaries for players were going to drop right after Bags signed? I think words like loyalty get thrown around too much.
There is no way that Bagwell finishes strong like he historically does. He is hurting way to much and it isn't going to get any better. The guy was getting cortisone shots in Spring Training. That's not good. He is untradable, no one will take him, Drayton won't do it, and there is no way he leaves $17MM on the table. So just forget it.
It's tough to see these guys go out on a slow burn.Bags should retire after this season.His shoulders are shot,he can't even work out.That big swing has too many holes when he is not right.This is the classic case of not one,but two guys being with the same organization a long time,beyond endangered species status,almost extinct....and that tears me both ways.More so with Biggio,because,while I believe Bags should retire an Astro now, I believe we should have traded Bidge to the American League 2 years ago.( to be a DH) I fancy myself a baseball purist,and I miss the good ole days when you looked at a baseball card and saw the players stats,with the same team for many years.But mad money has brought forth the players union(which has insane concessions to begin with),free agency,maniacal agents,steroid juicers,and bottom line owners.(who are paying the salaries,getting stadiums without increasing payroll,but won't open the books)Guys change teams like one does cars.Did I mention the Commisioner/owner?Sorry for the off topic rant,but it hurts me to see money and greed erode at our national pastime. ....Craig,and Jeff,you've been great...we've had fun and I'll always root or ya'll,but this franchise MUST be operated in accordance with the present environment,with the idea of winning being at the core.You don't get rid of HUN.You take the shackles off!You move Craig,and let Jeff retire gracefully.Man,Drayton just wants to squeeze every bit of PR,goodwill,and tickets sales out that he can,while increasing the price of the franchise before possibly selling.
Sam, call it whatever. A guy takes less money to play for a team he enjoys playing for with teammates he likes playing with in a city he enjoys playing/living in. Call it duck butter if you want. I'll call it loyalty. When Biggio said no to St. Louis and Colorado's bigger offers to stay here...arguably saving the franchise from N. Virginia...I'd call that loyalty.
Yeah, he did have them in Spring Training the last two years.... Last year - 156 Games - .266 27 HR's 89 RBI's Article states that he had his sceond shot on June 15th....which means he had his first at Spring Training. http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/2629078 Had his second one on June 15th. Go back six weeks from there and that would be Spring Training. 2003 160 Games - .278 39 HR's 100 RBI's http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/sports/bk/bkn/1821476
Every year it is the same thing....and it is not just Bagwell...it is Biggio too. Bagwell and Biggio are washed up. They should retire. They suck. Why do we not trade Bagwell? and for Biggio now...he should not try for 3,000. Then at the end of the season Bagwell hits 20+ HR's and somewhere around 100 RBI's. Biggio scores 100+ runs, hits 40+ doubles, and 15+HR's. (last year 24) Yes, some of their numbers have dropped...especially Bagwell, but he still produces. I hate the fact, as well I am sure every Astros fan does too, that he cannot throw but I have to give the guy props for going out there and giving his all even though he is in so much pain. If Bagwell was traded or Biggio was let go to seek another team to play for I am sure some of you would do a complete 180 and start bashing McLane. yeah, that's right...I said it!
What is this duck butter stuff? How do you milk the duck, to get butter? Does it taste better than the standard variety? Is this a veiled reference to how soft Brandon Duckworth is?
i have no clue where that came from...was typing, and that just flew off my fingertips. have no idea.
Let's bet $20 that Jeff doesn't make it to 90 RBIs this year. But in making that bet, I want to make it clear that I would never root against any Astro and that I would be happy to lose $20 if it meant Jeff collected around 100 RBIs this season. But objectively, I don't think there's anyway he gets there, so I'm willing to profit off of that.
Jeff will never be bought out and retire early. I just hope he has enough sense to quit when his contract is up, instead of going for 500 homeruns (to lockup the Hall of Fame, because the juiced-ball era stats he has now are no lock). But if does ask for another contract, even at the MLB minimum, I hope the team would have enough sense to turn him down. He is a below average 1st baseman at this point, both offensively and defensively - and he'll be even worse when the 2007 season starts.
Yeah, that's really not that impressive for someone batting 3rd. But I still bet he won't get there because you'll probably see Garner "resting" him more and more. The shoulder might force him to the IL for a few games too. Remember, Jeff is not a big guy for a 1st baseman - he always relied on bat speed, which is one of the first things to go. I think you'll be surprised by how quickly his power numbers will slide.
The reason we keep Bagwell is simple. We need to pass the current culture to the next generation Astros. It is no longer about the numbers. Yes, the guy should take more days off, yes, the guy should be dropped in the order, but, HECK NO, the guy is not overpaid. He deserves everything he gets. Just don't re-sign him again.
