I didn't mean he was an impact hitter for the rest of his career, and I feel that was quite clear. What I meant was that for the last week, he's given us an impact bat. Spin it however you want - in the last week, he's been an impact player. It still hasn't been enough. Why? Because this team has many other holes besides the one impact hitter that Purpura's been telling us. As for the teams ahead of us being mediocre, that's true. But if you have an opportunity to make yourself better contenders for the next two years, why waste it for the chance to sneak into the playoffs with this mediocre bunch? Also, as Zac already explained, there is more to "selling" than simply trading off expiring contracts. There's understanding the market, and Wheeler is a player, given his contract status, his position (RP) and the fact that he's having somewhat of a career year, that might fetch you way more value than he's worth. Same for Taveras, to an extent - his speed comes at a premium. If you can get value for these guys, and you might can in this market, sell! This team isn't in dire straits at all. It's got a good looking future. All I'm saying is that you might can take some steps toward that (i.e. acquire young talent, perhaps upper minor league) for some mediocre current players by taking advantage of this current seller's market. We need to do whatever steps are needed to give us the best chance to win a championship as soon as possible, and I don't see that being feasible this year. Even if somehow we back doored our way into the playoffs, it would be because of the complete mediocrity of the NL, and all logic and evidence points to us getting booted when we go against a legit opponent.
Cat, I totally agree with you. I think it's time to look towards next year (one man's opinion). Yes, prior to the Beltran trade, many people wanted to sell rather than buy, and 20/20 hindsight says the Astros made the right call by buying. However, I think the magic has finally left the building this year. Purpura's MO should be to improve the team at all costs, even if it means forfeiting the rest of this season. There... I said it, and I won't back down. Question my loyalty to the team all you want. I'm just being realistic. If the Astros go on to make the playoffs, I'll gladly eat crow. Heck, I'll make a 4-layer wedding cake out of crow, and it'll be the sweetest thing I've ever tasted. But until then, I want in on the trade action. Let's do to the other teams what Jerry West did to the Rockets.
