In my mind Drayton made the same mistake with Bagwell. We all knew his shoulder was shot and he was not going to be a viable option in the future yet Drayton kept him so he could retire an Astro. I was glad to see the Astros keep Biggio because he was a special player and a special person to the City and a Hall of Famer. But as far as I am concerned this is a Business bottom line if you are going to deal players away to save money then you should trade the players with the highest potenial for return. look at what San Deigo is possibly getting for Peavy. If we dealt one of them and got the right return we could be just like Tampa bay. The central is ripe for a team to rebuild and run away with the Division. I somtimes think Drayton is to loyal, you have to rebuild or restock and we dont have the talent to rebuild and Drayton doesnt want to Spend the money so what do you do? Trade away star players and rebuild. In a way you are rewarding those players for there loyalty over the years when you trade them to a conteder.

Trade them and I will see you again in five years.

I dont understand something you would be willing to see Berkman and Roy O stay and be on a middle of the pack central division team? If we got the right players in a deal for either Berkman or Roy we would be in a postion to play for a Title in 2 years top. 5 years makes no sence? I never been able to understand the mind set the Astros front office has regarding players. They bring them up way to late and they hold onto them after there prime. I will give example the Marlins gutted there team and then restock and won the WORLD SERIES. Several teams in MLB do this and suceed why cant we?

Wadero, your first post is excellent. It is contrary to my thoughts but I see your view and am partially persuaded.

I disagree somewhat with the post that McLane doesn’t want to upset people. He does it all the time. I’m still ticked how he fired Alan Ashby from the radio booth (and his shabby treatment of Larry Dierker as two examples.

I Think Berkman and Oswalt bring skills and leadership to the team. Tejada serves that same leadership purpose (Not so sure about the skills).

 A team needs a face – Berkman especially serves that purpose (On a minor level Backe may save his job becasue of his own face of the Astros feel ). You can take MArlins _ and I admire their success in playoffs – but what’s the joy in attending a game in a virtually empty stadium. Fans need to identify with some players.

Astros need history and pride. Berkman and Oswalt join our hall of memories

Oswalt and Berkman (esp Oswalt) bring legitimacy in the eyes of other teams and media.

 I understand the cost savings can translate into paying for more players that would make up the loss (esp for Berkman) – pitching ?? _ Oswalt is a good deal now – financially and on the field. It would cost more to replace him.

Astros may get great players in return. But great meaning what? – play more remaining years with Astros? (proabably) . Play better than Berkman and Oswalt can play the next three? (I doubt it).

I think if you checked the team roster , Astros (as do most teams) have a big turnaround in players over a three or four year period. How many are still here from 2005? How many on the 2005 team were on the 2002 team?

I’m started to ramble so I’ll stop. (except to say Berkman and Oswalt – particularly Berkman have said “no place but Houston” )

I understand that Berkman is the face of the Astros, But I hear everyone talking about trading Lee and not Berkman. Granted Berman had a huge last year number wise here are some of his stats.
Lance
BA .312 HR 29 RBI 106 OBP.420 Slug .567 and he did this in 159 at bats

Know look at what Carlos did
BA.314 HR 28 RBI 100 OBP .386 Slug .569 and he did this in 115 at bats.

They are almost Identicle except Lee did his in less at bats. They are both 32 years old and lance made 14,500,000 while Carlos made 12,500,000. I guess the point I am trying to make is They make almost the same money they almost preform at the same level so why is LEE tradeable where lance isnt?

I would like to make correction on there salaries Lance signed a 6year 85 million dollar deal in 05. Lee got a 6 year 100 million dollar deal in 06. So there payday are not quite the same.

All of the point you made make a lot of Sence, but if it is such a bad signing why did we do it. Was’nt there someone in the organaztion who said Lee would be a Dh in 3 years? I think that is the biggest problem we have as a organaztion. drayton doesnt listen to anyone. He wants a player they are here he doesnt think of the long term just the know. I wish he would realize he is not a steinbrenner.