Rumor Mongering: Payroll to drop in 2010- Astros linked to two free agent pitchers
by Evan Hochschild on Nov 12, 2009 11:05 PM CST
in Houston Astros Hot Stove News
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PrintHat tip to OremLK for breaking this in the fan posts section, but Brian McTaggart has a blog post up in which Ed Wade confirms what we've all been led to believe, the Astros payroll will decrease in 2010. Wade had a pow wow with Drayton McLane and a number was tossed around, apparently:
It was under where it was a year ago. Our desire is to work a number of younger players into our mix and we have every intention of doing that. That will have an impact on the final number
This announcement was on the heels of Ben Reiter of SI releasing his list of the top 50 free agents of 2010. Two names which he believes would fit well with the Astros are Justin Duchscherer (Oakland A's) and Fernando Rodney (Detroit Tigers).
Duchscherer had elbow issues this past season and battled depression as well. Bill James sees good things for him 2010, however. I like Duchscherer and agree that he would be a good fit here in Houston. He would come at a discounted rate based on his missed 2009 season, and doesn't walk a ton of batters, nor give up an inordinate amount of fly balls. His last name would be fun to say on a consistent basis, as well.
Rodney was 37/38 in save opportunities for Detroit, but his peripheral numbers weren't all that special. An uptick in his stats could be the result of changing leagues, as Reiter suggests.
So this is the second bit of concrete information to pass along this off season. (The first being the Astros' unwillingness to play Miguel Tejada at SS next season).
Where should the team go from here? If choosing between Jose Valverde and Tejada who should we keep? Should we keep either?
What about the guys Rieter suggests? Should we let Miggy and Papa Grande walk and spend our money on a reclamation project and a wild but talented closer?
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If I had to choose, I'd pick Miggy
He would seem to have more of a day-to-day impact than Valverde would, He will probably be cheaper and we have a crazy black hole at third base. Seems like the smart thing to do.
let them both go
id rather use money on a starter or putting a decent home run threat in our lineup
Drop them both
We are already going down in payroll. Might as well use it to younger guys that we get now and start building the future.
I agree, but...
…I still want to see the Astros sign a third baseman. I think my preference would be one young enough that we can sign him to a longer deal and rely on him for the next few years, which pretty much rules at Tejada at his age. I’m still thinking Adam Kennedy, although if the Astros are going to make one big splash, it would be interesting to see them have a go at Figgins.
I’m not a fan of Chris Johnson, and other than him who else do we have ready to play 3B in the next 3 years? Maybe a player will emerge by then, but nobody jumps to mind, that’s for sure.
I suppose it depends on how low a salary Tejada is willing to accept. I would choose Tejada over Valverde. I think Valverde is more likely to provide a draft choice if offered arbitration. (I doubt Tejada will be offered arbitration, even if I would recommend it.) I think there are more directions to go on the closer route, compared to 3d base. I have thought about Ferdnando Rodney, but it’s mostly because he was suprisingly helpful on my fantasy team, and that’s not a great reason to recommend him.
If Tejada is too expensive, I would still make a free agent addition at 3d base. As I’ve said before, the offense will take too big a hit if Tejada is allowed to leave without a free agent addition on offense.
I don’t know that I’m sold on Duscherer, but I would be OK if he was signed. One wonders how well his mental health issue can be managed while operating in a fairly stressful occupation.
There have been several players that have been able to bounce back from mental health issues. Zach Greinke for instance this past year overcame some mental issues.
by Timothy De Block on Nov 13, 2009 7:15 AM CST up reply actions
true.
I’m sure it has a lot to do with what the diagnosis is, and how well it responds to medication, etc.
When we discussed possible third baseman, I didn’t mention Khalil Greene, partly because his mental health issues seemed so worrisome. But if he can overcome his problem (supposedly, he would physically hurt himself after a bad game), he would probably be a plus 3d baseman with power.
That reminds me of Billy Beane, when he’d break metal bats after striking out.
by Timothy De Block on Nov 13, 2009 7:54 AM CST up reply actions
astros players
offer miggy 2mil and play 3d base…offer valverde last yrs salary…he is a fan fav…and a dominant closer…if miggy refuses…ce la vie…let him look elsewhere…he is marginal..either way about 13mil is freed up…or more if valverde walks… matsui? he is really overpaid… .230 hitter scared to make tough plays at 2nd… if he cannot be traded…then make him utility player…bench player…sort of expensive…but?need some dough…to get at least one good starter… a guy who is reliable … pitches about 200 innings…era of about 4…might be good enough….oswalt and wandy are aces..norris is promising… moehler?? sort of reliable..but an era of 5? marquis..davis ??
2mil for Miggy?
your not going to get anybody near servicable at 3B for 2 mil. 2mil would be a huge slap in the face and the guy has been really good for us the past two years. Defensively he hasn’t execpt for small spurts but the guy is a .300 hitter. Not to mention he is an excellent club house guy and will probably be a great mentor for tommy manzella next season. I think those two alone is worth more than 2mil. My preference is Miggy anywhere from 5-8 mil. Valverde may be a good closer but he seems to be on the edge of losing every outing because he walks the bases loaded before he starts striking guys out. He is arrogant and not really a fan favorite. I took a middle school kid from my church to a game this summer and we sat behind the bullpen and asked him to just look up for the kid so he can take his picture and he waved at us to go away. Guys like Fulchino gladly let him take a picture. Hawkins is my closer of choice.
Drop Miggy
Offer Valverde arbitration and a Brian Fuentes type deal (2 years/ $18M), if he takes it fine, it not let him walk.
Duchscherer would seemingly be a good fit, and not to expensive. Penny or Harden might be interesting as well.
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