Latest Astros Buzz

Today we've got some Astros info for you to digest.

According to an emailer, Richard Justice recently spoke with Astros GM Tim Purpura on Sports Radio 610.  Here's what came out of the discussion:

The Astros aren't expecting much from Jeff Bagwell, surprise surprise.  The main concern is, of course, his inability to throw.  In Brian McTaggart's article in the Houston Chronicle today, he mentions that Bagwell "will have his shoulder analyzed next week by respected orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham."  Expect Bags to be relegated to pinch-hitting duties given the Preston Wilson signing.  I don't have anything new on the Astros' interest in White Sox righthander Jose Contreras, but Willy Taveras could be expendable given Wilson's ability to play center field.

Purpura spoke to Roger Clemens two days ago at Minute Maid.  Clemens has not cleaned out his locker in at the ballpark.  I still believe that Clemens will return to the Astros in mid-June.

Today in the Baltimore Sun, Jeff Zrebiec and Dan Connolly mention that "The Red Sox, Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs appear to be the leaders in the Tejada sweepstakes." Adam Everett and Brandon Backe are certainly available on the Astros, but it'll obviously require a lot more than that to get Miguel Tejada.  Brad Lidge won't be involved in any deal for the shortstop.

I'll see if I can dig up any additional info on these topics.

Comments

[Rem]

IF the sox were to trade contreras to Astros...would all they receive is Tavares?

[RumorMonger]

I would imagine so, but I'm not positive.

[Nick]

Thats was the reported rumor a week or so ago but obviously nothing happened on it yet. I think if that is Houston's intent, they had to sign Wilson first, which they now have.

[Operation Shutdown]

I think Bagwell will be an everyday first baseman or he will retire. The Andrews visit is interesting... as the early reports out of Houston were that Bags was working hard and feeling great with rehab throwing and bulking up in the gym.

Concerning Wilson, he's a great contingency plan if Bagwell can't play. However, if Bagwell can play, I think Taveras is the odd-man out. That can mean three things:

AAA- to get his switch hitting ML ready.
Bench- for baserunning/defense and to spell Wilson/Lane/Berkman and play center on the days Bagwell rests.
Trade- For starting pitching.

Unless Purpura can get a guy like Contreras for him, the first two (non-trade) options make sense. This is Bagwell's last year, and a spot in the outfield will open up thereafter.

Wilson's contract is very interesting, BTW. It's 1 year $4 million, with a 3-year $24 million club option. This works out well for the Astros, he's a cheap one-year gamble who they can lock up if he rakes (although $8 per is a little costly). The option becomes very attractive, however, if he rakes and can play a decent center at MMP AND Taveras gets dealt. I think he can put up Coors numbers at the JuiceBox.

[Rem]

Contreras for Tavares only would be a terrible deal. The Sox have Anderson to play and nowhere to put Tavares this next year and possibly the next.

[RumorMonger]

OS, I think you're right about Bagwell. I just talked to another Astros source, and he mentioned that he thinks Bags might be headed for retirement.

He also said that he didn't think Taveras would be dealt.

[Misty]

"Adam Everett and Brandon Backe are certainly available on the Astros, but it'll obviously require a lot more than that to get Miguel Tejada. Brad Lidge won't be involved in any deal for the shortstop."

I think the person who passed on this got it a bit backwards. If they meant to say that Adam Everett and BRAD LIDGE are certainly available for the Astros and BRANDON BACKE won't be involved in any trades it would make a lot more sense. Even WITH a Clemens return in June, the Astros need Backe more than they need Lidge.

Everett and Lidge certainly wouldn't get it done for Tejada...the Astros would need to include Jason Lane and probably either Zeke Astacio or Taylor Buccholz.

[Nick]

Misty-
The idea is, if Baltimore wants Backe, Houston can replase him with Contrares in shipping willy out.

Houston wants no part in Brad Lidge.

While Backe is liked and on a home town team, he is over valued bases on last years NLCS start and this years WS start.

[Nick]

Should read above, Houston wants no part in dealing Brad Lidge.

Houston would get either Contreras OR Tejada. They wouldn't be trying to get both.

I'd rather Backe over Contreras any day. Backe's just starting to come into his own as a pitcher and Contreras is quickly becoming old and washed-up.

However, with the signage of Wilson, it gives the Astros a LOT of wiggle room in negotiations with other teams. We now have freed up, viable players that can be traded.

[Chris]

The best thing the Astros can do is find a way for Bagwell to step aside without making him forego the 17 million he deserves from re-structuring his contract so many times.

Lance Berkman needs to be the everyday first baseman. He is not only a great fit there defensively, it is also a safe way for him to prevent aggravating his surgically repaired knee.

An Astros outfield featuring Wilson, Lane, and Taveras will be very formidible. With a healty Berkman hitting third, the Houston lineup has the potential to be extremely dangerous, especially if Morgan Ensberg continues what he started in 2005.

The Astros have had serious discussions with the Orioles about shortstop Miguel Tejada.

There are three serious roadblocks:

1. The Orioles want three big leaguers in return. So pick three primetime players - say, Brad Lidge, Jason Lane and Willy Taveras - and that's going to be the cost. I actually have heard Baltimore would take three pitchers - say, Lidge, Chad Qualls and a starter. Would you do that?

2. Because Tejada is in the middle of a multi-year contract, he can demand a trade at the end of his first season with the Astros. Before this deal is done, Tejada probably would want a contract extension. And he's already making big bucks.

3. The Orioles have about six general managers. Their decision-making process is screwed up. Having said that, Tejada is a guy worth pursuing. Maybe they'll get lucky. The Orioles have done a lot of stupid things over the years. Maybe Tim Purpura will catch them on a good day.

From: http://blogs.chron.com/sportsjustice/archives/2006/01/final_countdown.html

[Carmen Fanzone]

Assuming he's not going to be able to make it back onto the field - isn't the only thing preventing Bagwell from collecting his balloon payment and going home, Astros management writing the check, and thanking him for an outstanding career?

Typical management type move, very appreciative of a team player that renegotiates, and defers money to help the team compete - and then amnesia when the chickens come home to roost. I wonder if 'Stros management has people spreading rumors in the local media that their payroll is hamstrung with this $17M in "dead" salary. And I'm not picking on Houston specifically, this is unsurprising to me, if true.

[Misty]

Nick-

With the unknown status of a Clemens return, the Stros won't trade Backe. They may however be able to catch Angelos on a bad day and trade Lane, Everett, Astacio or Rodriguez and Nieve or Buccholz for Tejada.

Rodriguez/Astacio would be the #4 or #5 pitchers depending on a Willy T trade to Chicago. Throwing in another MLB ready starting prospect in either Buccholz or Nieve might sweeten the deal enough for Baltimore, especially if Miggy shoots his mouth off again.

After all, look how they blew the Burnitz signing!!!

[Mark Hartman]

Clemens will be a Texas Ranger in a few weeks.

According to the Fort Worth Star Telegram, January 5:

There are rumors that Clemens has been carefully watching the Rangers' moves and likes what he's seen. Hicks has told him that the Rangers will tailor his workload however he likes, and that the owner's personal jet will be at his disposal to bring the pitcher and his family to and from Houston at a moment's notice.
In other words, Hicks will make this a sweet, sweet deal if Roger will agree to become the cherry on top of the Rangers' sundae.

Suddenly, the Rangers' rotation will be the best in many years:

Clemens
Millwood
Eaton
Padilla
Dominguez

That jet doesn't matter though; Roger has his own airplane and either a pilot's license or a personal pilot. He used to fly himself and Andy Pettitte down to Texas whenever they had breaks in the Yankee schedule. Furthermore, Roger has said he will not make any decision until after the WBC. I say no dice on this one.

[Bmac]

Clemens is not going anywhere, first off think of toby clemens. Just signed by the astros minor leagues system. You think that he is not only going to leave his family in Houston, but also leave toby to learn by himself. NO! Clemens will get the fever starting in June and will end his carrer with the Houston Astros. This is a no brainer.