Astros Players Hope To Recruit Sheets

Sheets lives in Dallas, the Astros would never get him over the Rangers.

Here is something I don't understand. How is stuff like this not tampering? Just because management doesn't talk to another player, the players can. I mean this is in season soliciting of services, using reporters as a go between. Are managers and GM's allowed to say that I would like to sign so and so next year during the season. I don't think so, but i am not sure and just looking for some clarification.

The key is that the conversation is coming from players, not management. Players are free to talk with opposing players at any time.

On a related note, this would be just an awful signing for the Stros. They need to rebuild, not commit a huge chunk of payroll to an injury riddled starter. This run they're on has really duped them into believing that they are actually good.

With Sheets or without Sheets, this team has some major issues that will prevent them from competing against the Cubs/Brewers in 09.

I've got a feeling Sheets might end up in Boston. Maybe that's just wishful thinking, but I know they've been interested in him in the past and they've got a great medical staff.

Beckett, Sheets, Lester, Dice-K, Buchholz/Masterson. With Manny's $20M gone, Schills $8M off the books, they'll have some money to throw around.

Drayton will never get it. Every year they are "in it" even though they aren't, and they keep adding bloated contracts to their payroll and trading away every vestige of their farm system for short term solutions. At some point it will all come crashing down and they'll need a good 7 years to build it all back up again.

Something must be wrong with the air in Houston. Everyone thinks the Astros are in contention.

If the Astros are big spenders, though, they could possibly compete. If they sign Sheets and, say, Oliver Perez, they would have a rotation of...

1. Sheets
2. Oswalt
3. Perez
4. Rodriguez
5. Moehler

That is a pretty good rotation. That would be better than the Cardinals, and if the Cubs don't bring back Dempster, and the Brewers don't for Sheets and Sabathia, the Astros might have the best pitching. If they sign 2 big free agent relievers, they would have a bullpen that could compete, and A solid catcher would finsih off an already good lineup. This team has the makings to contend if everything goes there way.

I agree, I don't know that a rebuild is necessary. Free agency is never the ideal way to build a team, but it can work. A lot of things would have to come together, but it's not crazy to think Towles and Pence could be better next year. I'd probably look for a stopgap CF though (Edmonds?)

joe, there is no way you are signing Oliver Perez in addition to Sheets. Unless the Mets decide they don't want Ollie, they will outspend anyone for it with the outrageous money they have coming off the books.

"Hey Ben, come play for a team that's stuck in win-now mode with a roster that isn't good enough to compete in our own division!"

"The players are hoping to recruit Sheets" but the real question here is if the Front Office is looking/willing to do the same..

Other teams will surely be competing for Sheets and the MAJOR question would be if Sheets would want to play for a home team/discount or go to a real big contender like the Yankees or Red Sox and actually have a chance of winning something.. I am an Astros fan but personally i believe they need to rebuild their farm system and i would leave this guy alone if i were them...If they believe they can contend go for a cheaper 1 year player that has been here before (ANDY PETTITTE) he would be a solid pitcher that can help them win and you know he will most likely give them a winning record something like (14-10) that the type of pitcher they need not an expensive.. oft injured player like sheets

The Red Sox also have Renteria's contract coming off the books when Detroit declines his option after this year.

actually Ben Sheets has stated often he would prefer to pitch in the midwest or south since he grew up in Lousiana and his family are still there, and his no trade clause this year included the yankees and most east cost teams minus the Red Sox.He also has hunted with Berkman for the last 2 winters along with Peavy and Oswalt. Mclane spends money(foolishy sometimes) and sheets already said at the All star game that when he is a free agent Houston and the Rangers are on his list( not sure the Rangers would spend the money though) along with the padres and St louis. So who knows, but his past injuries are kinda scary.

In addition to a delusional owner, it is harder for the Astros to rebuild because they have Oswalt, Berkman, and Lee locked up for a few more years. All 3 have no-trade clauses. Plus they have Pence under team control and Matsui locked up and with a no-trade clause (for worse in my opinion). A team with that kind of expensive core locked up for 3+ years just is not in a position for a full rebuild. Maybe a re-load, which they should have started in July 2007. But having missed that opportunity, they can certainly stay competitive by signing someone like Sheets and praying he stays healthy. A rotation fronted by Sheets and Oswalt is pretty solid. They have good hitters. Their defense is better than last year. So while their minor league system sucks, they can keep themselves in contention the next 3 years or so through free agency. The problem is that all their current players (except for Pence and hopefully a rebounding Towles) are beginning their decline phase. At best, the Astros hope their older players can stave off father time.

I don't see why Sheets would want to go to either Texas team, from a pitching stand point. Both play in unforgiving launching pads that will inevitably extend outings and put strain on his fragile frame.

"Sheets lives in Dallas, the Astros would never get him over the Rangers"

Yeah, because everyone loves playing in the 97 degree Texas heat from July on. At least in Houston, he won't have a heat stroke. Ballpark in Arlington has to be one of the hottest stadiums in baseball.

" I'd probably look for a stopgap CF though (Edmonds?)"

Jim Edmonds in an Astros uniform would probably cause a fan revolt. I can't think of another player that Astros fans hate more. Well, Dan Miceli, but thats it. Plus, what would Edmonds be "stopgapping" for? Brian Bogusevic?

I don't know if Drayton McLane will step up and offer another long term, multi million dollar contract like Sheets will demand. But if McLane wants him, then I can't see why Sheets wouldn't take their offer seriously, as long as the offer's competitive with the market.

"I don't see why Sheets would want to go to either Texas team, from a pitching stand point. Both play in unforgiving launching pads that will inevitably extend outings and put strain on his fragile frame."

MMP is more of a neutral ball park even with the short left field, Crawford Boxes. It has one of the longest CFs in the game, and the alleys are quite deep. RF line is at least league average. Since most of the season is spent indoors, there is no wind, furthering the idea the ball park is neutral.

Yeah. Good luck with that, 'Stros. It ain't like you're gonna have a TON of competition. Oh wait.

'Something must be wrong with the air in Houston.'

Have you ever BEEN to Houston?! Something is most assuredly wrong with the air. You can practically scoop a handful of it and have pollution-ball fights. I spend three days there and came out with black lung. Coal miners think the air is filthy down there! Of course they think they're contending! With so little oxygen in the air, it's a wonder they still know they're playing baseball!

Yeah. Good luck with that, 'Stros. It ain't like you're gonna have a TON of competition. Oh wait.

'Something must be wrong with the air in Houston.'

Have you ever BEEN to Houston?! Something is most assuredly wrong with the air. You can practically scoop a handful of it and have pollution-ball fights. I spend three days there and came out with black lung. Coal miners think the air is filthy down there! Of course they think they're contending! With so little oxygen in the air, it's a wonder they still know they're playing baseball!

Tip your waitresses. I'll be here all week! Ugh.

To add a few remarks to this conversation:

I find it highly unlikely that Drayton would fork out two enormous FA contracts on top of the ones he's already paying for. Maybe one. Maybe.

Say what you will about Tom Hicks, but you can't call him cheap. If he decides he wants to get someone, he will go all out. Case in point - last year he offered by far the biggest contract to Torii Hunter.

I fully expect Hicks to go all out to get Sheets. Reason? Nolan Ryan, who is now the team Prez and is stepping up his involvement in team operations (especially the pitching side of things). The big problem in Texas is that pitchers don't like to go there b/c of the heat and the jet stream. So convincing a guy like Sheets to sign a big contract is a lot easier talked about on blogs than actually done.

Besides, if Texas did sign Sheets, he'd probably blow out his elbow in ST and be lost for 15 months. That's their luck.

But having said all that, I do think that the Astros will have to sign probably 2 decent FA starters this offseason. They have no hope in hell of catching the other division foes with their current staff... and their guys are only getting older. I just don't think they'll get someone as high-dollar as Sheets.

"Jim Edmonds in an Astros uniform would probably cause a fan revolt."

This is irrelevant, we are all just rooting for laundry to quote Jerry Seinfeld. I would argue that Cubs fans hated Edmonds even more than Astros fans do and I doubt it was much of a factor for Jim Hendry. Fans only care about performance; a .969 OPS has resulted in short memories.

Funniest post in a long time. Thanks milehigh78.

Looking at Cots, the Stros are in for at least another $10m just to cover raises for Oswalt, Lee and Valverde.

That would push payroll towards $100m. This also doesn't include additional arb eligible players.

Now, add in Sheets and Perez. It's reasonable to think that Sheets is going for at least $15m while Perez will sign on the low end at around $10m. That pushes payroll, at a minimum, to $125 (previous highest payroll was $93m).

Now, even if all that happens what do the Astros have? The 3rd best team in the Central, maybe? I can't see ownership raising payroll like that under any circumstances. Let alone a situation where victory is far from certain.

Both Sheets and Perez come with huge question marks. They are not a good fit for a team that needs guys they can count on.

Forget about NTC's. Players will waive them in the right circumstances. Just think of the bounty the Stros would land by tranding Oswalt, Tejada, and Lee (and possibly Berkman). They could restock with youth, shave $40-50m off their payroll for next year, and gear up for a run in 2010-2011.

Fans only care about performance; a .969 OPS has resulted in short memories.

I agree, but there's little chance the guy replicates a .969 OPS next season as a 39 year old CF. He's doing ALL of his damage against RH pitchers, because he's basically being platooned. Which is fine if you got a RH CF option to match w/ Edmonds...something the Astros don't have.

And Jim Edmonds never single handedly kept the Cubs from going to the World Series like he did the Astros in '04.

While I agree Hicks is as willing as anyone to open his checkbook, he did not offer the biggest deal to Hunter. That was the Angels, who Hicks himself said came from nowhere to blow everyone else out of the water. That said, I just can't see why Sheets would want to go there after seeing what happenned to Chan Ho Park, who is actually a similar style pitcher.

I like the idea of Sheets to the Red Sox, as they have money coming off the books and can afford the risk.

I actually think the Astros could contend, if they really duly committed to it. Obviously they would have to sign at least two starters, and one of them would need to be a top of the rotation guy.

The offense is pretty stacked, with Berkman, Lee, Tejada, Pence, Wigginton and Matsui. If they could get the pitching together I could see them being a legit contender. The Cubs will presumably be very strong, but I would expect a dropoff in Milwaukee. The Reds could show drastic improvements as well, but the Astros could definately be in it.

Now, if the Astros can't land those type of pitchers, then they HAVE to commit to rebuilding. They have exactly the type of big name stars that could completely transform their farm system and make for a short rebuilding. Between Oswalt, Berkman, Lee, Tejada and Valverde, they could land some really good young players

I am being no homer here, but what makes everyone think that if the Astros sign Sheets plus a Lowe/Garland (I don't want Perez because he will cost a ton and is a Boras client and inconsistant) type pitcher that they won't be competetive? They have the hitting and defense has been pretty good this year. A rotation of Oswalt, Sheets, Wandy, Garland/Lowe, and Moehler(maybe Backe if he gets his head out his a** and decides to be the pitcher he could possibly be) is a pretty decent rotation.

The Astros will never rebuild because of the owner. They could get a ton for the studs on the team, but I have a hard time believing that Berkman and Lee will wave their clauses. Oswalt has said that he would be traded to a select few teams if it helped the Astros out. I want to see Berkman and Oswalt win, but I don't see where people still think that they are going to suck regardless of who they sign. They had a good draft this year, which helps out in the farm and it isn't like the Astros can trade for players with their terrible farm system, so FA are the only way possible for them to stay there.

And whoever said something about players declining, have you looked at Lee's and Berkman's stats? Oswalt is finally coming around, I think he had an injury early in the season.

I think what needs to happen besides signing the FA pitchers is Towles and Bourn need to live up to their potential, with Towles being that stop gap for Castro.

"That said, I just can't see why Sheets would want to go there after seeing what happenned to Chan Ho Park, who is actually a similar style pitcher."

So you're saying Ben Sheets is an awful pitcher? That was the only style CHP ever exhibited in his time in Arlington.

As for the "Launching Pad" thing, RBiA is actually a neutral stadium, now.
Batting - 100, Pitching - 100

"So you're saying Ben Sheets is an awful pitcher? That was the only style CHP ever exhibited in his time in Arlington."

Park wasn't an "awful" pitcher prior to Texas, and he isn't an "awful" pitcher now. My point was that Park was a hard throwing, strikeout and groundball pitcher who signed in Texas and got hammered in the bandbox, then proceeded to get injured trying to make up for it.

the Astros have salaries coming off the books next yr, and close to $10 million to cover any raises. Woody Williams, Chacon, unfortunatly not Villarial, Ausmus Im sure wont be back and 2 young catchers are cheap.
Btw anyone seen Hawkins since he came over? 6 innings 11 strikeouts? Fountain of youth kicked in, so the bullpin is ok, and defense in 2nd in the league.

astros would still suck

Good. I'm glad the Astros are in on trying to get some stud free-agent pitchers to come to Houston, as we need them pretty badly.

No disregards to Moehler and Wandy, but they aren't No. 2 starters. They would make a decent 4-5, though.

If the 'Stros could get Sheets, and then retain a guy like Randy Wolf, then we'd have a rotation of Oswalt, Sheets, Wolf, Moehler and Wandy. Not too horrible.

And the better part of the deal is that we can take Brandon Backe and give him a try in the bullpen. The guy has good stuff, but he lacks mental focus for 6 innings that is required of him. Perhaps a move to a long reliever or set-up guy would help his cause.

Astros still wouldnt make the play-offs. try again.

The Astros didn't have a good draft, they had one of the worst, in my opinion. Castro was a huge reach.

Also, I don't think Perez will get that much. I made a list of the free agent starters in order, and he is far down. I think he'll be this years Kyle Lohse. Here it is.

http://allbaseballallthetime.mlblogs.com/archives/2008/08/starting_pitching_free_agent_m.html

"The Astros didn't have a good draft, they had one of the worst, in my opinion. Castro was a huge reach."

Castro wasn't a "huge" reach, especially considering their needs.

Also, the Astros have several steals, including Ross Seaton and Brad Dydalewicz.

Ed Wade may be loathed for numerous reasons, but running a draft shouldn't be one of them. The guy in charge of scouting, Bobby Heck, is the guy that got Milwaukee all of their young talent.

I'm not saying that had a fantastic draft, but they signed almost all of their top picks, and seriously it's stupid to be rating a baseball draft 2 months after the fact.....

The Astros didn't have a good draft, they had one of the worst, in my opinion. Castro was a huge reach.

Where you getting that at buddy? The Astros needed a catcher and didn't need Smoak, who was the best available player. Seaton was a huge pick up because he was not going to sign with any other team, other than his home town team and it still took a lot. You don't know much if you are just looking at a 1st rounder and basing your opinion on a draft. How many 1st rounders actually achieve greatness? It is not all about that 1st rounder. I wasn't happy when we drafted him, but the more I thought about it and the more Towles sucked the more I liked it. We had no room for Smoak with Berkman over there and Smoak is about major league ready, so he would sit in the minors till he is like 26-27

Let's see. About all the Astros can off Sheets over the Rangers is a roof that McLane hates to close even on the hottest days, a lackluster offense, a bad rotation and the joy of working under Ed Wade. The Rangers can offer the best offense in baseball, Nolan Ryan and a thriving farm system.

Say if you Astros need a catcher until Castro is ready, maybe you guys would like to trade for Salty or Laird. All it will cost you is Oswalt. Good deal for the Astros, since they are just a catcher away from the World Series, right, Ed Wade?

BTW milehigh78, the air (or what little of it there is) in Colorado...if that is where you are from...doesn't do your teams any good, does it? The Rockies got creamed in the last World Series and I still laugh about how the Steelers marched into Denver and destroyed the Broncos on their way to Super Bowl XL. Next time, don't send in your scrubs to play pro teams.

cubs land -
you cub fans crack me up- you all of sudden think you are yankees franchise- you have not even won the division much less succeeded anymore than the astros and you get off by slammin' the 'stros- you guys actually win a playoff series, make it to the world series and winit- we will take your comments seriously - you guys will choke- bartman will attend the game and the goats will be watching

madmanTX
name the last big free agent signing the Rangers have had? last one i can think of was Nolan ~ there is a reason none of the great pitchers want to pitch there and the ones that come through system leave when they can- the ransgers are destined to be an american league team that scores a lot of runs but gives up a lot of runs

"About all the Astros can off Sheets over the Rangers is a roof that McLane hates to close even on the hottest days"

This actually made me laugh out loud, the roof hasn't been open in months. It is barely ever open, possibly 25 games, all at the very beginning of the season. The rain, humidity, and heat in Houston keeps it closed for the majority of the year, so I don't know where you are getting this McLane leaves it open nonsense.

"Have you ever BEEN to Houston?! Something is most assuredly wrong with the air. "

Very funny, a pollution joke. Never heard one of thems before. All sobersided comments aside, it really has to do more with the 90-100% humidity. :P

Roy O and Sheets are buddies, I wouldn't be suprised if Oswalt actually successfully recruited him.