El Caballo & Woody Lee's contract: 2007 $11m, plus a $3 m signing bonus 2008 $12m 2009-2012 $18.5 million/yr The agreement contains a full no-trade clause for the first 4 yrs and a limited no-trade clause the final 2 yrs, during which Lee and the Astros must agree on which teams he can be dealt to in the event the Astros decide to trade him. William's contract: 2yrs/$12.5m, with an option in 2009
Re: El Caballo & Woody Wow...even though I think they overspent for both of these guys, I've gotta admit that I'm pretty excited about both. Woody is HUGE in the Houston area, so that contract will pay for itself. Lee should elevate Berkman above #3 in the MVP voting. Great day for the 'Stros (please don't reference this post in a few years when Lee is too big to play OF!)
Re: El Caballo & Woody In recognition of Dick and Nutt of the Arkansas Razorbacks, the Houston Astros will find themselves waking up with a Woody for the next 2-3 years.
Re: El Caballo & Woody This is the lineup I would like to see on opening day: Taveras Biggio Berkman Lee Scott Ensberg Everett Ausmus For God's sake, don't put Taveras in the 2 hole. He is absolutely not made for that position. He can't hit the ball out of the infield, the #2 hitter needs to have the ability to gap it and hit the other way, etc. An infield hit by Taveras to the 2nd baseman doesn't count. After Biggio gets his 3000, start playing Burke 2 out of every 3 games at 2nd base. We need some fresh legs in there. Biggio is worn out. I love him, but I also know reality. We don't need a .235 hitter with a .260 OBP stifling this offense come August and September. I still hope they sign Lugo, so we can get Everett out of the starting lineup. Put Lugo in the 2 hole, bury Biggio in the 7th hole. Maybe we could trade Everett and get something for him. That's too wishful a thinking. Pitching rotation is as follows: 1 - Oswalt 2 - ? 3 - ? 4 - Williams 5 - One of the young pitchers or Backe (I think he might be out for all of 2007 though) Williams at this point in his career is no better than a #4 starter (altho he would be a good one). I am counting on the Lee signing bringing Clemens back in the same fashion as last year (renting him like a cheap whore for 4 months). I don't think the Astros will resign Pettitte however. I hope they surprise me cuz I still think he has 2-3 really good years left.
Now batting leadoff for the Astros... CF Willy Taveras (R) 2B Craig Biggio/Chris Burke (R) 1B Lance Berkman (S) LF Carlos Lee (R) RF Luke Scott (L) 3B Morgan Ensberg (R) C Brad Ausmus (R) SS Adam Everett (R) This lineup has a little bit of a twist... This is with Ensberg driving in runs again. If he is the Ensberg of last year, I would move him into the 2 hole to take advantage of his walks and move Biggio/Burke in his spot to drive in runs. If Huff signs, that'll change the lineup even more. Luke Scott hits in front of Ensberg to alternate righty/lefty to better avoid specialists out of the bullpen. Adam Everett in the eighth spot because if he gets on, his speed will make a sacrafice by the pitcher more likely to be successful. If the pitcher is unable to get him over (K out) he could still advance on a stolen base. If a sacrafice is successful and we don't trust Willy to drive in the run, we can double switch Lamb/Burke for Ensberg/Biggio and have Lamb drive him in.
Re: El Caballo & Woody Couldn't agree more. I have no idea why 3,000 holds such mystique, since a number of guys have stopped just short of milestones plenty of times. And to think that he got a RAISE, too! I just don't see that happening. Lugo's exit wasn't pretty, and I doubt they want him back. Besides, Everett is probably the best defensive SS in the game, and you just don't replace a guy like that easily. Now if Tejada could come over.... :hihi:
Re: El Caballo & Woody who dat, I understand what you are saying about Ensberg. Not sure if he is the right fit at #2 either. You need someone who can handle the bat well, moving guys over and hittin the other way. He takes too many pitches to be an effective #2 hitter. A #2 hitter needs to be more aggressive. I think Ensberg just goes in the 6 hole. He still can hit HRs, even last season he hit HRs, he just didn't hit for average. And power hitter that has a low BA usually goes in the 6 or 7 hole.
Re: El Caballo & Woody Astros reportedly going after Jake Peavy and Jason Jennings. Also, Garner stated he thinks Pettitte is leaning towards coming back rather than retiring. Astros are hoping to resign him.
