Traded for Tejada or Abreu. I don't want to hate on Uncle Drayton, because I believe he's been a good owner. But that being said, I think Billy Wagner was right - he's only willing to go so far in terms of salary. Look at the Huff deal - the Rays had to send cash along with him to get the deal done. I bet you Purp had to ask Baltimore for the same thing, and they laughed him off. This self-imposed budget makes the Astros a bit of a tease, and I get tired of it sometimes. A bit of a tease, like getting to the World Series, then getting swept. You may not feel it, but that's what I feel.
So, I guess it looks like ChiSox and the Mets in the WS? I still have faith in my Houston boys, they will sure make it hard on all of them once we get closer to the end of the season. You know how we do it.
The White Sox were 4th in the AL in home runs last year. Only the Yankees, Indians, and Rangers hit more. And, IIRC, only the Rangers scored a greater percentage of their runs off of homers. Not exactly the classic definition of "small ball".
This is crazy...I'd do it...why not try for it all... Its like i'm Charlie Brown and I'm trick or treating and all I get is a lump of coal...Get someone to help us Drayton and Timmy...
I wouldn't write in the Mets just yet...apparently they're starting pitching is suspect...and you need quality pitching in the playoffs. If the Astros can manage to get back to the postseason, they'll have another great shot riding Oswalt, Pettie, Clemens and Cy Backe. Right now though, the Mets seem to have the fewest problems of any NL squad.
They tried, but Baltimore balked. I imagine the cash considerations (for Huff) were to make the deal a little more balanced. Having a self-imposed salary cap isn't a bad thing, cause the highest spending teams don't always win (see present Yankees and Astros, last year's Mets).
I love people b****ing about a "self-imposed" salary cap when we have the third highest payroll in the league. And I've been criticized for "mocking" anti-Drayton people. Wow.
well Thome struggled last year and Soriano wanted to move back to 2B wherever he goes. Besides, Soriano was never really an option for the Astros at this point in time unless Biggio will take a step back. As for the outfield, I guess Soriano would make a nice power leftfielder for the AStros, but I don't see how that would help the Of logjam unless they want OFs which they don't.
As for bullpen, White Sox did go and trade for MacDougal with 2 bonifide prospects. Personally, I think the White Sox are really trying to make a push, but that was a bad deal and great for the Royals.
Guess where the Astros ranked in money spent? Money is still money, are you willing to buy season tickets to the dugout to help the cause? For the record, I'm not calling you out, but there's a comparison to go along with there. He spent his share of money to do what he believed is right. I don't blame him one bit with the payroll. Sure, Bagwell was part of the payroll, but it's still money.
Please get the right stats before you speak: The White Sox were 9th in AL in terms of run scored in 2005 (behind such power hourses as Tempa Bay). They were 18th among the 30 MLB teams in terms of BA. Not exactly what I would call a power offence. They won with their pitching, plain and simple. In fact the Astros made to the world series for the same reason. Pitching wins in the MLB, period.
