If they offer arbitration to anyone it will be Valverde. Giving him a slight raise would not kill them for one year and it could be worth the gamble to get a
number one pick. I can see him wanting a multi-year deal from someone. Giving Miggy arbitration would be beyond stupid. No one is going to pay close to the
14-15 million he would command. We can only hope he signs with someone quickly.
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Magic Bullet
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 barzilla |
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Astros Fan
Posts: 6709 (11/03/2009 10:32 AM) Astros Fan |
Check out my new Astros blog at kissmyastros.com
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RyanED |
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Astros Fan
Posts: 37969 (11/04/2009 6:42 PM) Golden Boy |
Can anybody find me a list of free agents that are starting pitchers? Does ESPN.com or one of those websites have anything updated? I'd like to see if
there's any notable names out there.
I'm just not confident in the notion that Felipe Paulino will be progressing enough to improve upon his mediocre ERA last year. Is he even taking advantage of winter ball? I'm also not sure what to make of Wesley Wright attempting to convert into a starting pitcher. It seems like a drastic attempt by the organization. Why experiment on such a thing when you can satisfy that particular need in free agency? I realize this is a team that doesn't have a lot of money to spend under the current payroll but there has to be better options out there. Ideally, I'd prefer to have Oswalt and Wandy at the top of the starting rotation with Bud Norris and Brian Moehler at the bottom. I'd like to have a notable free agent addition sandwiched as the new number three starter. As I mentioned earlier, this is my ideal 2010 starting rotation... 1. Roy Oswalt 2. Wandy Rodriguez 3. Notable Free Agent 4. Bud Norris 5. Brian Moehler I'm just not sure what's out there at this time. Am I just living in a fantasy world thinking the Astros will sign a decent starting pitcher this winter? Glancing at the current 25-man roster, I just feel having a good starting rotation is the quickest way for the Astros to transform into winners.
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Clack |
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Astros Fan
Posts: 16756 (11/04/2009 9:48 PM) Astros Fan |
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OlDogNuTrx |
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Astros Fan
Posts: 647 (11/05/2009 1:04 AM) ALL-STAR |
OK, somebody help me; that list gives me a headache.
Carl Crawford and Brandon Webb are Type B players and Kevin Gregg is a Type A?? I see in the more or less fine print that that's the author's opinion/guess - but still .... ??? Those are 2 "killer B's" I'd like to see in Astro unis. |
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pillage |
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Astros Fan
Posts: 856 (11/05/2009 2:16 AM) Astros Fan |
I think the Type A/B designations are over two or three years. Crawford had a down injury plagued season in '08, and Webb was out for all of '09.
You'll notice on the cool Type A/Type B automatically loading spreadsheet that Carpenter, who is in the
running for '09 Cy Young, is also considered a Type B pitcher because of his injury filled previous season(s). I'm not sure if the Astros are really in
a position to be gamblers or if it's even feasible, but it would be awesome to steal Webb away and bank that he returns from shoulder surgery. A more
realistic financial pipe dream could be to sign Ben Sheets to an incentive laden contract.
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RyanED |
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Astros Fan
Posts: 37970 (11/05/2009 7:18 AM) Golden Boy |
Starting pitchers
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RyanED |
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Astros Fan
Posts: 37971 (11/05/2009 7:29 AM) Golden Boy |
I wouldn't mind Jason Marquis.
He went 15-13 with a 4.04 ERA with the Rockies this year. He also pitched 216.0 innings! He's 31 years old and would likely give you a lower ERA than Brian Moehler Doug Davis is also enticing to me... 34 years old... He went 9-14 with a 4.12 ERA, pitched 203.1 innings this year. Both are Type B Free Agents but could give the 2010 Astros rotation what it needs, in terms of having a reliable innings eater. Either one of them would be a huge boost for our starting rotation. 1. Roy Oswalt 2. Wandy Rodriguez 3. Jason Marquis or Doug Davis 4. Bud Norris 5. Brian Moehler Felipe Paulino, Wesley Wright, etc... etc... can then become options in case there's an injury. Sign either Marquis or Davis to a two-year deal, allowing the Astros to bring up Jordan Lyles and Ross Seaton accordingly, both will probably be in the 2012 starting rotation.
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Clack |
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Astros Fan
Posts: 16757 (11/05/2009 7:44 AM) Astros Fan |
RyanED, I like Doug Davis also. I am more hesitant about Marquis, given his history. I think Piniero is similar to Marquis but may be a better choice.
If by some chance the Astros were to sign one of these guys, I would put Moehler in the bullpen and use him as rotation depth, with Paulino in the rotation. Paulino is every bit as good a prospect in the rotation as Norris. I am looking forward to seeing what Arnsberg can do with Paulino and Norris. Arnsberg has an excellent track record in developing hard throwing young pitchers (think of Burnett, Beckett, Clement, etc.). |
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Astroboy |
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AAA
Posts: 33 (11/05/2009 10:27 AM) |
I'd rather Marquis than Davis.. younger and better. But he'd cost a bunch.
Agreed on Joel Piñeiro, though. |
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RyanED |
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Astros Fan
Posts: 37974 (11/05/2009 11:26 AM) Golden Boy |
Justin Duchscherer (32) - Type B
I must admit, I don't know much about this guy from the Oakland Athletics but when I glanced at his ESPN.com page to check his statistics... I'm very impressed with the numbers I see! He only made 22 starts but a 2.54 ERA back in 2008? A 95-34 strikeout-to-walk ratio and a WHIP of 1.00 His career ERA is an amazing 3.13 and he's 31 years old. Surely there has to be something wrong with him to be only a Type B free agent. Has he just been a career underachiever, constant injuries, why isn't there more talk about this guy? It appears he broke into the big leagues with the Texas Rangers in 2001 which was a long time ago. I noticed 2002 and 2009 are missing so that probably explains it. He missed this entire past season with a major injury? Well I just checked and this is all I found from August... Justin Duchscherer has been diagnosed with clinical depression and will miss the remainder of the 2009 season. Duchscherer didn't throw a pitch in the majors this year. He was lined up to make his 2009 debut last Tuesday, but was mysteriously scratched because of a non-baseball issue. We now know exactly what that issue was. "Justin has been battling this for quite some time, and it's kind of reached the apex where he made a really tough decision and owned up to the problem,'' agent Damon Lapa said Friday. "He wants to take a step back and really focus on addressing his personal issues off the field. When he's ready to return to the field with a clear mind and one-hundred percent focus, we feel he'll be ready to contribute to any organization because he's one of the better pitchers in all of baseball."I realize the Houston Astros aren't likely to gamble on such a player - throwing a lot of money at an uncertainty, but wow this guy is incredibly talented to say the least. I'd be open to signing him if I were in Ed Wade's shoes. What kind of contract will he likely receive do you guys think? Any indication the Athletics will re-sign him? And dare I bring up Mark Prior's name again? Just kidding...
Last Edited By: RyanED
11/05/2009 11:36 AM.
Edited 1 times.
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barzilla |
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Astros Fan
Posts: 6717 (11/05/2009 11:46 AM) Astros Fan |
I looked at the list at http://kissmyastros.com Basically what you have are choices along three lines:
1) Proven good starters These will be the 10-15 million per season kind of guys. I'm guessing they're out of our price range, but you never know if Drayton wants to throw a lot of money at say Pettitte for one season. 2) Top-Notch Injued Talent I'm thinking of guys like Rich Harden, Justin Ducherher and what not. A decent gamble if you think they will be healthy 3) Dependable bottom of the rotation guys This would be guys like Jon Garland. Garland has proven to be very hittable over the last couple of seasons, but he is also dependable. There are a few guys like him.
Check out my new Astros blog at kissmyastros.com
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The Boulder Thinks |
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Astros Fan
Posts: 69 (11/05/2009 9:00 PM) |
The Boulder would like to remind everyone that most fans were not all that supportive of Wandy in his first few years in The Bigs. I would rather see what
Paulino has got over a full year next year, than sign Jon Garland for big $$$ and Moehler numbers. The Astros are at best a 500 team next year. Why waste $$$
getting a handful more wins? Talent wise, the Cards, Cubs and Brewers are better than the Astros. It is time to let the younger players play and to let the
farm kids get one year closer.
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barzilla |
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Astros Fan
Posts: 6721 (11/05/2009 10:06 PM) Astros Fan |
Boulder, as much as we might all agree (I would love to see Paulino and Norris in the rotation next year) with that sentiment, we all know Drayton is not going
to allow a youth movement.
Check out my new Astros blog at kissmyastros.com
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The Boulder Thinks |
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Astros Fan
Posts: 70 (11/06/2009 9:34 AM) |
The Astros last year were a "$50 million team with a $100 million payroll". Privately, Drayton must recognize this. Publicly, he must spout the
company line that the Astros are fielding the best possible team. As a businessman, I think Drayton must know that now is the time to play the younger players
and reduce payroll.
Look at last year. Nobody in their right mind would think that Ortiz and Hampton would lead the team into the playoffs. They were both low salary, one-year-and-gone pitchers. The Astros last year did not have a choice though. The farm kids did not look ready. This year, they do. Both Paulino and Norris have shown their potential. With proper coaching and experience, both could be legit MLB starting pitchers. This year, I look for the Astros to sign one-year-and-gone players for the infield. Chris Johnson does not look to be ready to play 3rd at the MLB level. Tommy Manzella might be ready. (Kazuo Matsui does not look ready as well, but is another matter.) One could even classify re-signing Blum, as a one-year-and-gone infielder deal. |
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Bob Hulsey |
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Astros Fan
Posts: 7138 (11/06/2009 1:03 PM) Astros Fan |
Except they gave Blum a mutual option for 2011.
"We don't do anything easy. We're the Astros." - Craig Biggio
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Astroboy |
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AAA
Posts: 34 (11/06/2009 6:48 PM) |
As far as I know, a mutual option has to be agreed on by both parties in order to be taken up.
So it could very well be a one-year-and-gone deal, depending on the circumstances this time next year. |
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Bob Hulsey |
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Astros Fan
Posts: 7140 (11/06/2009 11:05 PM) Astros Fan |
No, the mutual option means one party or the other can opt to pick up the option. If Blum hits .178 with two homers, he can continue his $1 mil contract for
2011 but if Blum suddenly hits .290 with 25 homers next year, the Astros can pick up that same option and Blum is stuck with it. That's what a mutual
option is. If Blum gets traded, his new team now has the same deal.
"We don't do anything easy. We're the Astros." - Craig Biggio
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bumpin99 |
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Astros Fan
Posts: 518 (11/07/2009 1:37 AM) AAA |
I wish we could have got Teahen from KC or Fields from White Sox to play 3b but they were in a trade for each other and I doubt KC would give up Fields now.
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polarbear1982 |
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Astros Fan
Posts: 153 (11/07/2009 8:56 PM) AAA |
Bob Hulsey wrote: That is NOT how a mutual option works according to almost every source I have read. See what happened with Jermaine Dye today. http://mlb.mlb.com/news/a...s_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb "The Chicago White Sox have bought out the 2010 mutual option on outfielder Jermaine Dye. As per the terms of his contract, Dye will receive a buyout payment of $950,000 in lieu of a $12,000,000 salary for 2010. " Read about what a mutual option is and is not: http://baseballanalysts.c...8/09/mutual_of_ohmyh.php "I realize that a mutual option suggests that both parties are interested enough in the other side to maintain the relationship at a specified price for another year. While that sounds fine and dandy on the surface, the truth of the matter is that such an arrangement has no teeth. Neither party can enforce the extension on the other. If that is indeed the case, then what is the point of a mutual option? When you cut to the chase, the player in question becomes a free agent if either party declines their half of the option." and another source, on the Brian Moehler mutual option - which we should have DECLINED: http://www.examiner.com/x...-say-good-bye-to-Moehler "In Moehler's case, he made $2.3 million this season and will turn 38 on Dec. 31. Based on his contract, the Astros and Moehler hold a mutual option worth $3 million for 2010, meaning McLane and Wade initially sit in the driver's seat in determining his future with the organization...If the Astros decide to exercise Moehler's option, expect him to accept the offer and remain in Houston. However, he does possess the right to decline the option and become a free agent, but that would be a ridiculous mistake on his part, considering his age, steady decline in performance and the fact that he would receive no buyout money. McLane and Wade can simply choose not to exercise Moehler's option, meaning they'll pay him a $250,000 buyout. " |
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RyanED |
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Astros Fan
Posts: 37980 (11/07/2009 8:59 PM) Golden Boy |
polarbear1982 wrote:Flastros mentioned that a few weeks ago and it sure did seem like an enticing option. As much as I like Brian Moehler, I would have paid him a $250,000 buyout if I were calling the shots for the Astros. There are so many good options available this winter, in terms of the free agent starting pitchers that are available.
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