This is a pretty interesting article...

by TexSkins on Feb 13, 2008 8:47 PM CST

about how much money can be saved by "homegrown" talent, which is to say talent that comes from the farm system. Check out the article and let me know what you think.

The most damning part was the part about the draft and slot money.

The next step deals directly with the draft: ignoring the slotting recommendations designed by MLB to keep a lid on signing bonuses for early-round draft picks. Some teams, such as the Houston Astros, heed MLB's scale - and now they have perhaps the worst farm system in baseball.

The formula they use for assigning a monetary value for talent is pretty interesting.

Anyway, just thought I'd post it.

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good read

Drayton is only interested in doing things that generate profits. That means winning now and not caring about the future. I really think that he will sell the team before the 2010 season. I hope he does.

My first mistake was assuming you knew what I was talking about.

by Shamus on Feb 14, 2008 11:37 AM CST reply actions

I Agree Shamus

Drayton only sees the bottom line and not the W line. He has no insight as to how baseball is won only how to make money at it. He got lucky with Hunsicker running the club for a while but when he lost a GM capabale of working the system it when south quick. I would like to see him sell.
Does anybody have 300+ mil I can borrow?

It's the next generation of Astros. Let's see if they can play like the men they are replacing.

by TBurford on Feb 14, 2008 4:31 PM CST reply actions

exactly

When Drayton realizes that the lack of prospects is costing the value of the franchise he will do something about it. Either sell or spend on the draft and UDFAs like another poster mentioned. Considering his age and the lack of commitment of his children(has anyone ever seen his children at or around an Astro event) the Stros will sell soon.

My first mistake was assuming you knew what I was talking about.

by Shamus on Feb 14, 2008 6:20 PM CST up reply actions

Though I doubt he'll sell...

I wanted to see what he paid and what the team was worth... because I can never put anything past McLane when financial gain is involved.

I found this site which said the following:

IN NOVEMBER 1992, DRAYTON MCLANE BOUGHT THE TEAM AND THE LEASE ON THE ASTRODOME FROM JOHN MCMULLEN FOR $115 MILLION.

And it is now worth $416 million, at least according to this Forbes valuation. (For the record: it does say on Forbes that the team was purchased for $103 million, so maybe the 'Dome lease was the other $12 million. That is my best guess right now.) ~~It doesn't have a year, but I think it was done at some point during last season since it talks about the World Series being "last year" and there's a big picture of Gar.~~ (The homepage of the article says 4-17-07. Also, using the homepage, the Astros are 11th, not 10th, behind the Nats. It also has a new figure of $442 million, which also has its own link.)

So, for all of use mathletes, that is a profit of... carry the one... $301 million or $313 million -OR- $339 million or $327 million (depending on the accuracy of the given figures). In any case, it is $300+ million. That's about $299.999 million more than I can even dream about.

The $416 million was good for 10th on the list, with the Yanks (I mean, really... who couldn't guess that?) first, followed by:

Mets
Sawx
Dodgers
Cubs
Cards
Giants
Braves
Phillies

So... what I'm trying to say is that if Drayton sells, he will have made somewhere in the neighborhood of $300-$340 million in a span of about 16, 17 years.

You think if we wrote him a letter with all of these figures, he'd be so happy he'd sell the team? I bet he could get $500+ million for it. That's a lot for this man to turn down.

by TexSkins on Feb 14, 2008 7:29 PM CST up reply actions

we should pool

Our money and buy the team...we can make our cash back when we dont buy huge stupid contracts. Keep our farm system strong. ok...i got...40 bucks...and we can hire people to beat up members of other teams. Players include, though are not limited to:
Albert Pujoils
Brad Lidge?
Drayton Mclane himself
Tim Purpura haha
Barry Zito
The Dodgers
Carlos Zambrano
What ever we do, we can not hurt Carlos Marmel, i love that guy, hes awesome, i wish he was a stro

by Big Puma 17 on Feb 14, 2008 8:25 PM CST up reply actions

I've got $5 on it...

and whatever change is in my couch.

by TexSkins on Feb 14, 2008 10:17 PM CST up reply actions

I could sell my couch

and join in with y'all.

Keeping Warm During Hot Stove Season

by Joe in Birmingham on Feb 14, 2008 11:38 PM CST up reply actions

Then

how would you watch the game?

Go 'Stros!

by Stros Bro on Feb 15, 2008 6:56 AM CST up reply actions

in

the fuckin press box hahahaha we own the team, shit we can watch on the bench

by Big Puma 17 on Feb 16, 2008 12:42 AM CST up reply actions

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