I have to preface this by saying that I'm usually leery about these kinds of things. The Astros usually play things very close to the vest whenever they're actually making a deal. The Beltran negotiations last June were an abberation (the details were released a few days before), but it's hard to keep something like that under your hat. However, most of these trades are surprises because the organization rarely shows its hand. Why leak this info now.

Of course, I could be off-base, but it seems to me that it became pretty clear a few weeks ago that the Reds weren't that interested in dealing Griffey. So, if you go for him, announce that you were willing to pay 90% of his salary, then you come out looking like a spend thrift without actually spending any money. Machiavelli would love it. Drayton is a good PR guy.

I realize our 2005 chances are jeopardized, but if Roger is willing to come back then you really don't have the same kind of urgency you had before. Use September to compete as best you can, but more importantly, see what Bagwell and Luke Scott can do. Who knows, if Scott hits even as well as Jason Lane then you can focus your money on upgrading the shortstop and catcher position offensively in free agency.