I am assumming that this is what the 3 1/2 hour meeting was about the other day.
Here is a snippet from Jayson Stark's article:
"...No one knows yet whether Orioles owner Peter Angelos is willing to sign off on any kind of trade involving his one-time marquee player. But there's enough buzzing around Tejada these days...In the meantime, the Astros have suddenly shifted into hyper-aggressive pursuit of another bat. And there are indications that means they've renewed their pursuit of Tejada..."
Stark points to the fact that the Angels might be a better fit because of their middle infield riches in Brandon Wood and Howie Kendrick, but we'll see...
and more from Ken Rosenthal...
               
       
The defending National League champion Astros plan a major push to add an impact hitter before Monday's non-waiver deadline.
How major?
The club intends to be "super-aggressive," one major-league official says, pursuing trades for big names such as Nationals left fielder Alfonso Soriano and Brewers left fielder Carlos Lee and making virtually everyone on their roster available.
Astros owner Drayton McLane surely doesn't want to take the team's $106 million payroll much higher, but now that he has gone this far, there's no turning back.
The addition of Soriano, Lee or Orioles shortstop Miguel Tejada would appear a longshot. But just two years ago, the Astros stunned the baseball world by acquiring center fielder Carlos Beltran in a three-team trade. If general manager Tim Purpura dangles struggling closer Brad Lidge as he did last off-season in a deal for Tejada the possibilities could get interesting.
The Astros spent big bucks to bring back Roger Clemens, who is not likely to return next season. (Lynne Sladky / Associated Press)
The Astros already have made two significant additions, spending $12.6 million to bring back right-hander Roger Clemens for little more than half a season and trading two prospects to the Devil Rays for infielder/outfielder Aubrey Huff. But they've gone 5-7 since the All-Star break, falling 101/2 games behind the Cardinals in the N.L. Central and five behind the Reds in the wild-card race.
The team's front office has spent the last two days in meetings trying to figure out how to fix the team's sagging offense. Only the Cubs have scored fewer runs in the N.L.; the Astros' center fielders rank 10th in the N.L. in on-base/slugging percentage, their catchers 13th and their shortstops 14th. Catcher Brad Ausmus and shortstop Adam Everett are defensive stalwarts, but offensive burdens.
The problem for the Astros in any trade pursuit is that they are unwilling to trade their top position prospect, Class AA outfielder Hunter Pence, and reluctant to move their top pitching prospect, Class AAA right-hander Jason Hirsh. Both Clemens and left-hander Andy Pettitte are unlikely to return next season, making Hirsh an important part of the team's future.
The Astros, however, could take on future payroll; their financial flexibility will improve next season if Clemens, Pettite and injured first baseman Jeff Bagwell three players earning nearly $50 million no longer are with the club.
Here is a snippet from Jayson Stark's article:
"...No one knows yet whether Orioles owner Peter Angelos is willing to sign off on any kind of trade involving his one-time marquee player. But there's enough buzzing around Tejada these days...In the meantime, the Astros have suddenly shifted into hyper-aggressive pursuit of another bat. And there are indications that means they've renewed their pursuit of Tejada..."
Stark points to the fact that the Angels might be a better fit because of their middle infield riches in Brandon Wood and Howie Kendrick, but we'll see...
and more from Ken Rosenthal...
               
       
The defending National League champion Astros plan a major push to add an impact hitter before Monday's non-waiver deadline.
How major?
The club intends to be "super-aggressive," one major-league official says, pursuing trades for big names such as Nationals left fielder Alfonso Soriano and Brewers left fielder Carlos Lee and making virtually everyone on their roster available.
Astros owner Drayton McLane surely doesn't want to take the team's $106 million payroll much higher, but now that he has gone this far, there's no turning back.
The addition of Soriano, Lee or Orioles shortstop Miguel Tejada would appear a longshot. But just two years ago, the Astros stunned the baseball world by acquiring center fielder Carlos Beltran in a three-team trade. If general manager Tim Purpura dangles struggling closer Brad Lidge as he did last off-season in a deal for Tejada the possibilities could get interesting.
The Astros spent big bucks to bring back Roger Clemens, who is not likely to return next season. (Lynne Sladky / Associated Press)
The Astros already have made two significant additions, spending $12.6 million to bring back right-hander Roger Clemens for little more than half a season and trading two prospects to the Devil Rays for infielder/outfielder Aubrey Huff. But they've gone 5-7 since the All-Star break, falling 101/2 games behind the Cardinals in the N.L. Central and five behind the Reds in the wild-card race.
The team's front office has spent the last two days in meetings trying to figure out how to fix the team's sagging offense. Only the Cubs have scored fewer runs in the N.L.; the Astros' center fielders rank 10th in the N.L. in on-base/slugging percentage, their catchers 13th and their shortstops 14th. Catcher Brad Ausmus and shortstop Adam Everett are defensive stalwarts, but offensive burdens.
The problem for the Astros in any trade pursuit is that they are unwilling to trade their top position prospect, Class AA outfielder Hunter Pence, and reluctant to move their top pitching prospect, Class AAA right-hander Jason Hirsh. Both Clemens and left-hander Andy Pettitte are unlikely to return next season, making Hirsh an important part of the team's future.
The Astros, however, could take on future payroll; their financial flexibility will improve next season if Clemens, Pettite and injured first baseman Jeff Bagwell three players earning nearly $50 million no longer are with the club.
