they said they dont like bringing up prospects beause the sooner you bring them up, the sooner you have to pay them major league money. atleast thats what the radio guys said
Not true... (and that's not suprising, given Houston radio) If they're needed, they bring them up regardless... even if they're not ready. In 2001, this team needed some major pitching help, thus they brought up Oswalt way ahead of schedule, and then Redding and Carlos Hernandez later that year. None of those guys were expected to be seeing big league time till the following year, at the earliest. Oswalt worked out well... not so much for the other two (Redding probably needed a full year of AAA to gain confidence... he lost it all once he got to the MLB level). From 2002-2004, we had Kent/Biggio playing everyday which kept Burke off the team. You can say he still should of "been up here", but I also think his development was better served by playing everyday and not just rotting on the bench for pinch-hits. He was probably ready to play everyday at the beginning of this year, but Biggio moving back to 2B (and still being productive) halted that. The fact that he learned to play LF so well helped him immensely. Jason Lane had to wait in a long line of quality hitters before he got his shot... Moises Alou, Lance Berkman, Richard Hidalgo (they were still paying him the big $$$), Craig Biggio, Carlos Beltran. They did eventually bring him up to be just a pinch-hitter in 2004 since he couldn't really accomplish anything more at AAA. But still, he finally got his shot this year... and I don't really see where he had an opportunity to get into the lineup earlier. So, who else did they bring up too slowly? Lidge, Qualls, Gallo all came up when they were still young and needed. Berkman was brought along at the perfect pace... some pinch hits in 1999, played half the year in 2000, and an everyday player in 2001. Ensberg/Everett were probably brought up too soon in 2002... but then came back big in 2003 when they were "ready".
IMO the important thing is to keep moving and by that I mean to make additions to the roster (bullpen help), inquire about players that could provide a better offensive punch (Paul LoDuca, Benji Molina). There are lots of questions surrounding Clemens, but like I said in a different thread, just act like he is not coming back, and that way if he decides to retire then you had a contingency plan, if he comes back its a plus. I seriously do think that if the Astros make improvements that Clemens will indeed come back and most likely at a lower slaray than last year. of course thats just my opinion. Most of all I'd like to see the players in the minors step up and give the Astros some more youth. It appears that pitching is once again a strength in the minors and could very well allow the Astros to trade for some offense. Good news is that the winter meetings are coming soon and maybe we'll see some movement then.
The Mets actually GOT 7 million along with Delgado (not that it eats into his salary all that much, but he is owed a ton because he produces and thats what we need....as for Beckett...even though he is a FA after next year, he would have certainly fit the "hometown discount" mold that Drayton seems to like....however, I guess with Lowell attached, it didnt make sense for us.
That scares me because it it screaming ' i like bringing up prospects because i havent quite figured out this whole FA/trade thing yet' The problem with this is that if you bring them up too fast, they arent "prospects" anymore....especially if they dont produce...they almost have more value as an unknown in some cases. On the other hand, I agree with what you say about bringing them up/ giving them a chance quicker..if thats the route we are going to go
4 years - 43 million for Wags...WOW. I am glad for him becuase I like the guy, but thats a lot of cash to lay out for him. The Mets appear to be opening the vault this year to sign all these guys and I am a little surprised but we`ll see how it turns out. You cannot buy a Championship just by signing big ticket free agents altnhough I would like to try I see a firesale if this doesnt work for the Mets
The market for Wags was all but set when BJ freaking Ryan signed a 5 year 47 million dollar contract with the Blue jays. WTH has BJ Ryan done in his career, besides have a somewhat decent first-year closer experience last year... his stuff is definitely not good enough to warrant that sort of deal. I thought teams would have learned their lesson on these "marginal closers" after Danny Kolb had his ass handed to him this year in Atlanta. Ah well. Wagner is a signing that I think helps the Mets big-time for next year... but 2 years later, that contract is going to weigh heavily on their decision making. And that's assuming Wagner can still bring it at that age... hell, his contract wasn't worth it 3 years ago when he was most definitely in his prime. Closers are like a really nice expensive/exotic sports car... if you don't have one, you want one and are willing to save/do anything to get one. But, once you have one, you realize that it just might not be worth the amount you're paying, when you don't drive it everyday, the gas and upkeep is too expensive, and you have other pressing needs where that money would be better suited in your life.
