Here's a list of players offered contracts comparable to 4/48 over the past few years: Bagwell Berkman Hidalgo Pettitte Burnett Beltran I just don't see it TJ.
Nope. Last year, both Zeke and Wandy performed better than Ponson. That's how bad he is. For reference, Wandy and Zeke had WHIPs of about 1.5 and ERAs in the mid-5's. Ponson had a WHIP of 1.75 and an ERA over 6. And young guys are likely to improve with time and experience.
Bitterly disputed? No, we just realize that you have no clue what you are talking about. Again, who gave Richard Hidalgo that massive extension. Who gave Jeff Bagwell his current contract? Who extended Craig Biggio all these years? Lance Berkman got 6 years 85 million, I wonder who ok'ed that? Roy Oswalt got a lucrative two year extension. Moises Alou was signed to a 3 year deal, Wagner himself had a 3 year 27 million dollar extension. Andy Pettitte, Roger's 18 million dollars, Jeff Kent, Greg Swindell, Doug Drabek all got oodles of money from Drayton. Carlos Beltran was set to get 15 mil a year for 7 years from the guy you call Scrooge. Does any of this register yet? Sure he operates within a budget, so does every team in Baseball, except the Yankees, who enjoy losing 50-80 million dollars a year apparently. But he has proven he will spend when the situation makes sense. The payroll is in the 80 million dollar range, from about 50 when he first owned the team. He ok'ed trades for Randy Johnson and Carlos Beltran, two marquee talents. Yet you think he is the worst possible choice to own this franchise. Drayton Mclane talks about being a champion. His team, my favorite team, now is the National League Champion for 2005. I say he is walking the walk myself. Just because he does so on a budget doesn't change anything.
In 14 starts, Zeke had 4 quality starts. In 22 starts, Wandy had 10 QSs. In 23 starts, Ponson had 5 (yes, that's right) total quality starts.
Where is the list of players let go or traded due to a tight budget and/or below-market offers? Beltran, Randy Johnson, Kent, Kile, Wagner, Wade Miller, this list could get verrrrry long.... Why would Jayson Stark, a neutral third party make the claim? Does not compute...
well...he has a career 4.80 ERA and a whip of 1.4. Thats probably a better indication of what type of pitcher he is.
Beltran, Randy Johnson, and Darryl Kile have no business anywhere near that list. All 3 got comparable offers to what they signed for with other teams. Wade Miller? He was coming off a shoulder injury that he neglected surgery on(which cost him the year in Boston). Wagner was followed in the bullpen by two fireballers named Dotel and Lidge, and they didn't cost 9 mil a year, plus how long are you going to wait to give guys that good a chance. What does not compute is you horribly skewing the facts to try and prove a point you can't prove.
I guess if you get the average Ponson, that might work out well. But I wouldn't touch the guy. He got arrested multiple times last year for drunk driving. He showed no interest in pitching for his team (that was a playoff contender for 3 or 4 months). He didn't stay in good shape. He got booted off the team, etc, etc. If this was 2 years ago, or even last year after he'd had 1 bad year, I would agree with you. But I don't think we'll be seeing the old Ponson anytime soon.
Clemens allowed 56 fewer runs (earned and unearned) than a park adjusted league average pitcher. The Astros scored 693 runs and allowed 609 in 2005. Their expected pythag W-L would be 91-71. If you add the 56 runs that a park adjusted, league average pitcher would have allowed, that goes down to 84-78. Astacio/Rodriguez are not league average yet (I know you never claimed they were). Astacio and Rodriiguez allowed 87 more runs than Clemens in pretty much the same number of innings. If you exchange their innings for Clemens and hold everything constant, the Astros expected W-L dips to 80-82.
Who signed Billy Wagner to that huge deal he had? He was traded for making disparaging remarks about the franchise. Facts. It sucks when they get in the way.
yeah i suppose he IS a bit of a disaster....i wonder if there are any other starters out there that can be had for that type of money that might be worth a shot
Not sure what they would cost, but there are a number of free agent starters out there: http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/mlb/n...?fastatus=unsigned&subscope=pos&teamPosCode=S I don't know all their stats, but you have guys like Josh Fogg, Jason Johnson, Shawn Estes, Jeff Weaver, Brett Tomko, etc. I'd like to see us offer $2-$3MM and see if we can get one of those guys.
I'd jump all over Tony Armas, but I don't think he's in that range.. I'd be happy with Fogg or Tomko, but I'm not a fan of Jason Johnson or Estes. Weaver seems like a guy we could settle for...
Yeah, I looked at that, was just answering xenon's question. Was particularly struck by how bad the Astros pen was in a lot of the close games Clemens pitched. Easily cost him (and the Stros) 5 wins. Add in an even average offensive showing in another 10 games or so (dude had 27 quality starts, sick) and you're looking at something talked about as possibly the greatest season by a pitcher in modern baseball history. I also think that the Astros offensive ineptitude in so many of Racket's (high profile) games has somewhat skewed perceptions of their offense as a whole. Pitchers & catchers can't report soon enough.
I like Weaver for that type of money for sure....and Tomko or Johnson wouldnt be a terrible option either.
Let's review the Astros' finances for a moment as the apologists struggle to understand why the national media considers Drayton to be 'ever-frugal'. Increase in tv revenue from new deal: $15mm annually Increased season ticket sales Higher ticket prices Brand new publicly financed (65%) stadium Post-season income Additional merchandising income Savings from not offering arbitration to Clemens: $18mm WHERE HAS THE MONEY GONE? No wonder Jayson Stark (an insider unlike all of you) thinks Drayton is cheap. The apologists continue to remain in denial.....
