LaTroy Hawkins files for free-agency

I'm not sure what to make of this.

3 months ago DyingQuail 20 comments 0 recs |

Comments

I wouldn't be too worried...

It just gives him leverage. I’m sure his agent is telling him the best thing to do is open up all options, even if he wants to re-sign with the Astros. That way he can maximize his next contract.

It would hurt if he left, but wouldn’t be the worst thing to happen this offseason.

by David Coleman on Nov 6, 2009 2:44 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

…everyone should keep in mind that while he’s a solid reliever, he’s not God’s Gift To The Bullpen like his ERA since he joined the Astros would suggest. His career FIP is 4.36 and he was only a little below that in 2009, at 3.97. His K/9 is basically average and so is his groundball rate. Plus, the guy is 36.

Just something to think about. It would be nice to bring him back, but I don’t know that I’d want to see the Astros spend more than $4-5MM on him.

by OremLK on Nov 6, 2009 2:56 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Oh, one other issue about Hawkins. His 2009 LOB% was 90.9%. Pretty much unsustainable.

by OremLK on Nov 6, 2009 3:02 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

there’s no way that Hawkins gets more than $5 millon from any team. And I agree that if wants a lot more than $4 million, the Astros can find other free agent relievers who are equally capable.

by clack on Nov 6, 2009 3:32 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

The age factor doesn’t affect pitchers as much as it does position players. Look at Mariano Riveria dude could pitch another 5 years, Doug Brocail even though he had a crappy year last year was quite effective the year before.

by timmy_ on Nov 6, 2009 7:41 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

True, age is not as much an effectiveness problem for pitchers as it is an increased injury risk. But there’s always that to keep in mind, I’d rather have a 31-year old pitcher than a 37-year old, all else being equal.

by OremLK on Nov 6, 2009 9:59 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't think filing for free agency means much.

He can’t even talk salary with other teams until the 15 day negotiating period with the Astros is over. This is pretty much an automatic procedural move by Hawkins’ agent. I mean, even Biggo filed free agency papers in 08.

by clack on Nov 6, 2009 3:02 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

If you want an illustration of my point, read this from Astros.com:

Astros outfielder/infielder Darin Erstad, outfielder Jason Michaels and pitcher Mike Hampton filed for free agency Thursday — the first day of the filing period — and some bigger names are expected to join them in the coming days.

Astros general manager Ed Wade expects shortstop Miguel Tejada, closer Jose Valverde and reliever LaTroy Hawkins to all file soon. The Astros have a 15-day exclusive negotiating window with their own free agents before the players can sign with other teams.

Mike Hampton filed for free agency, for heaven’s sake, and that shows it is just procedural. Wade expects all of these guys, including LeTroy, to file for free agency.

by clack on Nov 6, 2009 3:30 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

did they offer arbitration to him?

by strosfan31 on Nov 6, 2009 5:28 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

deadline for that is in the future (like around the first week of December, if I recall).

by clack on Nov 6, 2009 5:30 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

arbitration offer deadline: Dec. 1.

by clack on Nov 6, 2009 5:32 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

thanks

hopefully they do, i think its a win win whether he accepts or declines

same thing with papi grande

by strosfan31 on Nov 6, 2009 5:32 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

I disagree about Valverde…with what he made last season and the contract that K-Rod got last offseason, the Astros could potentially have to commit quite a bit of their 2010 payroll to a closer. At this point, that’s too much to spend for a team that has bigger holes to fill.

I’m not saying they shouldn’t pursue him, just that offering him arbitration isn’t the right move.

by David Coleman on Nov 6, 2009 5:56 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

that may be true in the fact he could potentially win a large sum in arbitration. but at the same time, he probably will be looking for a longer term deal than a one year arb. salary. He could potentially earn more in a FA deal. Plus, a arb. hearing could go in our favor since his injury that held him out for awhile could potentially downgrade his value. So, i think if ed wade puts out a good number in a arbitration offer, he may decline in hopes of a better deal. A lot of it depends on the FA market when it opens up and if he is garnering that much attention. I see the decision to offer or not to offer coming down to the very end of november.

by Subber10 on Nov 6, 2009 8:08 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

yea and long term, no matter what you risk next year, you have to try to offer arbitration and get the compensation pick. we have one of the worst farm systems in the league, taking chances on val and hawk in the arbitration process is something we almost have to do.

now miggy is a whole different story because he absolutely loves it here and is certain to accept for a hugely inflated deal, but valverde has said before that he is going to test the free agent market anyways this year, and there are plenty of teams that need a closer so you have to take the chance

if he accepts, then you start looking to trade him for prospects OR if you think outside the box you can swing a good deal for next year

look around the league, atlanta wants to be good next year, they need a closer, they have a starter that they are paying too much that they dont particularly want in their rotation because their rotation is stacked, they have been said to be willing to eat some of that said pitchers contract in the right trade but are trying not to………..

thus a valverde for derek lowe trade could make a lot of sense for both teams; heck houston might even be able to throw in matsui to make it a relatively even trade salary wise

see having him accept arbitration wouldnt be the end of the world, letting him go without trying to get anything in return would be awful

so many people complain about drayton being cheap and running the organization the wrong way, well not offering valverde or hawk arbitration should be considered cheap and a bad way to run an organization, something that no one here should condone

by strosfan31 on Nov 7, 2009 1:56 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Not offering Hawkins would definetly be stupid, we’ve all determined paying up to 5 mil for him wouldn’t be bad. I don’t think he would demand that much in Arbitration.

Valverde is a risk. He could get too much money and dealing him would be difficult. Mostly because every GM will know we’re desperate to get rid of him and our return would be horrible. It’s tricky. The arbitration offer would have to be low enough its semi-safe if he does accept but high enough that he knows its possible to board sides with the astros and that is his salary and its lower than what he wants. The whole testing free agency comments and probably wants a multi year deal gives me some hope he wouldn’t even consider arb. and decline. So, Ed Wade, work your magic.

by Subber10 on Nov 7, 2009 9:29 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I didn’t initially respond to this debate, because in the past I have argued that the Astros should offer arbitration to every player who is a A or B free agent; I admit that strategy has risk, but I think you have to take those risks if you want to build your farm system as quickly as possible. In my view, the risk can always be mitigated by trading a player if it doesn’t work out the way you wanted. Some organizations, like the Padres and Brewers, have followed that policy in past years (maybe not so much now). Based on the Astros’ past decisions, I don’t think the Astros front office would view it the same way.

If I had to pick and choose players to offer arbitration, I would choose Valverde. First, it’s not a terrible thing if he accepts arbitration, because the Astros want him back (albeit without the price risk of arbitration). Getting Valverde on a 1 year contract isn’t anything like a disaster. Second, I think Valverde is the least likely player to accept arbitration. He said he wants to try out free agency, and his agent has been talking that way, even back when he was a D-Back. His agent has to be looking for a multi-year contract, and he cannot get that in arbitration.

by clack on Nov 7, 2009 9:33 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Some interesting quotes as players file for free agency....

You may want to read Chris Berman at “My Fox.”

Hawkins’ agent confirms what I said that the filing of free agency is a formality and doesn’t mean that Hawkins won’t play for the Astros.

Valverde’s agent said that he will hold off on filing free agency until Monday as a “gesture of good will toward the Astros,” in hopes something can be worked out. Wade is effusive in his praise of Valverde and talks about how important it is to sign a closer. But he says he won’t rush into decisions regarding the team’s free agents.

Wade also praises Tejada, and says that the Astros may have an interest in signing him at 3d base. But also has some remarks about seeing what other players may be available in free agency.

by clack on Nov 8, 2009 1:31 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

Hmm. Interesting.

Let’s say Drayton wanted to bring back this year’s team, more or less.

We wouldn’t bring back obvious guys like Pudge (already gone), Brocail, Hampton, Erstad, Booone, and a couple others.

Younger guys would be plugged into the mix—Towles, Manzella (Tejada to 3B), and the young pitchers who were already part of the picture in 2009 (plus one or two more like Lo) for the rotation and ’pen.

I wonder if we could expect a significant improvement over this year with the infusion of youth? At the same time, would it be worthwhile to spend a year allowing the young guys to adapt to the big leagues, even if it means more mediocrity?

And could the payroll sustain it?

by OremLK on Nov 8, 2009 8:46 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

If they're cutting payroll

and resigning guys like Micheals then expect a worse team than last year.

If they’re going to buy low on some high risk reward type of players then we might see a better year that last year.

I’d like to see them spend some money on starters pitching/position and fill the backup slots with some of the young guys from the minors. Resigning Hawkins to fill the closer role and possibly allowing someone like Arias develop into the closer role. Then filling the rest of the bullpen from the minors. This creates the issue of having decent to good starting lineup but less than avg backups that could become an issue if a starter is injured.

Ed Wade loves him some bullpen though so I suspect he’ll be putting a good chunk of his allotted money into some veteran bullpen guys.

by timmy_ on Nov 9, 2009 8:09 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Comments For This Post Are Closed

Search

FanPosts

Community blog posts and discussion.

Recommended FanPosts

Pitching Mechanics/Terms To Look/Listen For

by baggs 2 days ago

9 comments | 4 recs

Recent FanPosts

+ New FanPost All FanPosts >

NL Central Standings

	W	L	PCT	GB	STRK
St. Louis Viva El Birdos	91	71	.561	0	Lost 6
Chicago Bleed Cubbie Blue	83	78	.515	7.5	Lost 1
Milwaukee Brew Crew Ball	80	82	.493	11	Won 3
Cincinnati Red Reporter	78	84	.481	13	Won 2
Houston The Crawfish Boxes	74	88	.456	17	Lost 3
Pittsburgh Bucs Dugout	62	99	.385	28.5	Lost 2