He did lock-up Berkman and Oswalt to big extensions. He also re-signed some of those said players that were picked up for nothing... Lamb, Palmeiro. If he picks up a Rondell White, or an Encarcion, that fully fills the role of one of those guys that you didn't expect much of, getting to come in and produce. I thought you guys were b****ing about him not being able to make any superstar deals... now you're b****ing about him not being able to pick up scrap and turn it into gold.
Carl Everett was definitely a great signing by Hunsicker. However, he had the inside knowledge of Mets scouting reports, and maybe he wouldn't have signed him if it wasn't for that. Lamb was a good sign and we traded away garbage for Geoff Blum (Truby right?), but that was done to fill in holes on the bench. Now that Vizcaino is gone, I'd like to see who his replacement would be, maybe Bruntlett can take over the role. Still, Hunsicker had more holes to patch up compared to what Purpura is dealing with and I'd imagine Hunsicker would be standing pat right now as well. Purpura has been the mastermind behind the Astros minor league system for years, and if that is one thing we can trust him to do is evaluate our own talent. I am not sure how savvy is he in negotiating trades and signings, but he hasn't done anything to raise any red flags IMO.
The Astros have screwed the city and themselves by letting Roger go. And why? They said they were letting him go to concentrate on "building our ballclub". Bull****. What have they done and what are they going to do? They will probably sign some mediocre over-the-hill offensive player and that will be it. The Stros let the greatest pitcher in history walk out, so they wouldn't have to risk 22 million or so in arbitration. Hell, the man is worth that easily with his performance and the home sellouts he was responsible for. Do you really think they are going to add anyone significant? Everytime I hear Linkin Park's Faint I get pissed now at the Astros for letting this happen. As an Astros fan it will hurt, but I truly hope Roger signs with the Rangers and kicks ass next year, to further highlight the Astros' management's ineptitude.
ummm...you realize roger clemens isn't even sure he'll be pitching next year, right? roger will be doing one of two things come next july: 1. sitting at home in houston; or 2. pitching for the houston astros.
And it's getting so ****ing old. We could've swept the World Series and people would be b****ing that we're not doing anything to repeat. Watch, we'll draft Bush and he'll end up being a bust. Then, the entire town will b**** that we drafted him. Watch, we traded for T-Mac, but he goes down with an injury and the season's over because our team sucks. I was at a bar watching the Rockets two weeks ago and everytime Yao touched the ball, there were a few people b****ing that he was the worst player in the league, regardless of what he was doing. This was IN HOUSTON. I'm sure the fans are just as bad in other cities, but listening and reading to these Chicken Littles and whiners non-stop is starting to wear on me. I can barely enjoy watching the games half the time.
just remember...ownership and management of the National League Champions sucks. they can do nothing right. including winning the NL Championship. see...when the astros win it's the players. but when they lose, it's management and ownership's fault. fuzzy math.
He probably wouldn't have accepted arbitration anyway. So he'll be a free agent a few days from now instead of him being a free agent a couple weeks ago. If he did accept arbitration, then the Astros would be screwed budget-wise considering Bagwell's albatross contract along with Berkman and Oswalt's new pay.
Really? You've spoken to him and he has told you this? Thanks for the information. If Roger does decide to pitch next year, it likely won't be for the Astros. Why not offer him arbitration and keep our options with him open? I tell you why, because the Astros want to get by on the cheap. That's why.
Of course, by offering him arbitration when a) he wouldn't even give the Astros a number and b) you don't even know if he's going to come back is closing your options. The offseason isn't even two months old. There are two months until the Ps and Cs report. You Chicken Littles need to understand that. Signed, Blue in the face.
I'm getting tired of nothing happening as well and while it is easy to defend Timmah by saying "What would you do?", I ask, how are we supposed to answer that question? We do not know what offers, calls, etc have been made and received. All I know is that we haven't made any moves and the ones on the horizon do not look all that pretty. We have heard that every player outside of Oswalt has been contacted about or is trade bait. That is a lot of calls and offers. We couldnt pull the trigger or complete one of those deals? Its either a bunch of bull**** or they arent doing their jobs. This doesn't mean I'm a Drayton or Timmah basher. I've kept my mouth closed and waited all this time for some action and nothing has happened. I know it isnt time for Pitchers and Catchers yet but time is starting to dwindle down. Last year is over and I still want a championship caliber team. I had too much fun last year to miss the playoffs or get beat in the first round. We had our first taste of the WORLD ****ING SERIES!!! I want to go back and kick some ass!!!
Do you really believe he would have declined arbitration and become a free agent? That's ridiculous and never would have happened. And if he accepted arbitration the Astros would have been screwed budget wise? How so? Clemens brings in more revenue than he costs. So you're telling me we have to let the greatest pitcher in history and someone who had a 1.80ish ERA last year walk just so we can stay beneath some arbitrary salary budget? If that's not getting by on the cheap, I don't know what is. And I would love for someone to show me how the Astros are "building their ballclub" now that they are relieved of the gigantic burden of Clemens. The Astros are pulling a McMullen and most of you are too blind to see it. That's fine. If Roger decides to retire, alot of this will be moot. If he comes back with someone else you will all realize how badly the Stros screwed the pooch.
i don't need to speak to him to know he hasn't made the decision yet...he's telling us through the media that he won't make that decision until january. but i've spoken with enough people who do actually know the man to have me heartily doubt any notion that he will pitch anywhere other than houston at this point of his life. options with him are still open. if he was serious at the time, he would have given us a number so we could budget around it. he wouldn't do that.
Umm, because every other team in the league is free to contact Roger after he makes up his mind, EXCEPT the Astros.
how many NL championships did McMullen win??? that's what baffles me about the hatahs. it seems they have some distant memory of the astros being a better franchise than they are today. they weren't. they were driven into the ground. they were in freaking receivership at one point. the houston astros have never approached the kind of success they've had during mclane's tenure as owner. you can question how they got there all you like.
