So is it not getting Dunn or is Justice covering both Sides?

Right trade might not be available
By RICHARD JUSTICE
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle


The sportswriter in me screams that Tim Purpura must trade for a middle-of-the-order hitter and a starting pitcher.

And if he doesn't? Well, let's just say we know where you live, Tim.

Sixteen days until baseball's trading deadline. You're on the clock, fella.

There.

I had to get that out of my system. I had to tell Purpura he's beginning his first important test as general manager of the Astros. I'm not necessarily sure it's true, but I had to say it. I love sounding tough.

Gerry Hunsicker called roster building "more an art than a science."


Astros could use some help
General managers are judged by the teams they construct in spring training and by how they tweak those teams in the second half.

Now is the time for tweaking the Astros. They've won 29 of their past 42 games to play their way back into contention for the National League wild-card berth.

But they probably can't finish the deal unless they improve an offense that's 29th in runs.

So no excuses, Tim, just do it.

There's just one problem. There might not be a deal out there to be made, at least a deal that makes sense for the Astros.

Last year was relatively simple. Carlos Beltran was the marquee player on the trading block. The Royals had a game plan. They wanted a catcher and a third baseman.

The Astros had an advantage other teams didn't have. In spring training, owner Drayton McLane told his Kansas City counterpart, David Glass, an old friend, "If you trade Beltran, give us a shot."

This summer is different. Every available player has negatives. And many of the teams shopping those players have them ridiculously overvalued.

So the next time your local columnist or talk-show chucklehead screams about making a deal, tell him to take a deep breath.


Resist temptation
The best thing Purpura has done since taking over for Hunsicker is nothing stupid. When Beltran signed with the Mets, he surely was tempted to make a panic move for Randy Winn or someone similar. He's about to face some of the same temptations.

"To me," he said, "the biggest thing is not making a bad deal. I don't want to give up our key guys. We want to win this year, but we want to keep the major parts that would allow us continuing success."

Perfect.

It's also why he's not going to land Adam Dunn.

Dunn is fourth in the National League with 23 home runs. He's first with 94 strikeouts. His $4.6 million salary could double by next season.

He makes the Astros better, but inside the front office, there's disagreement on how much better.

Not that it would matter. Bad teams tend to overvalue their best players. The Reds apparently want as many as two major-league players and a prospect.

Purpura should tell the Reds thanks but no thanks unless the price drops dramatically. Almost every available player has a negative.

Tampa Bay's Aubrey Huff? Similarly overpriced. The Devil Rays asked one team for three players. Maybe the guy is about to morph into Albert Pujols.

Only then would that deal make sense.

Colorado's Todd Helton? He has about $38 million remaining on his contract. That's way too much.

Kansas City's Mike Sweeney? He'll make $11 million next season and can play only first base.

There could be better options as the trading deadline approaches. Purpura's toughest job will be weighing the benefits for this season against the long-term cost in terms of players surrendered.

Pirates outfielder Matt Lawton is a more likely possibility if he's made available. He's a solid defensive player and is making $7.75 million. He's hitting .276 with 10 home runs and 40 RBIs.

Mariners first baseman Raul Ibañez might also be traded. He's hitting .294 with 12 home runs and 48 RBIs. His salary is $4.4 million.

There's also Red Sox first baseman Kevin Millar. A source said the Red Sox and Astros spoke about him several days ago. When the Red Sox asked about Chad Qualls, the discussions ended.

Giants righthander Jason Schmidt might be the best of the available starting pitchers. More will go on the market as the deadline approaches.

Anyone for a Jose Lima return engagement?

That's about it. Ibañez and Lawton would make the Astros better, but with the added salary and the cost in players surrendered, Purpura might be better off passing and allowing Chris Burke and Jason Lane to continue playing.

"We've been at this for four or five weeks," Purpura said. "I'm not a big guy for remembering numbers, but I've got the phone numbers of some general managers memorized. That tells you something. There are a lot of hitters out there, but the prices are high."

Standing pat won't be popular in the clubhouse or the stands. At the moment, it's probably the best alternative.

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/3267203

 

So is Justice just doing his usual taking both sides of the issue so he can say he was right at the end of the year?

We still need a bat and i'm not holding my breath on Bagwell even for next year. Sure, we give up prospects but we could get a 40 homerun guy. Sure Dunn strikes out, but put him between Ensberg and Berkman and he'll get some pitches.

Seems to me we've got a shot now and we wouldn't be renting a player like before. Justice makes it out like he's suprised the Reds are going to try to get as much as they can for him. Why wouldn't they? What team wouldn't for an All Star. His strikeouts will go down with batting practices.

Bottom line is yes we'll give up alot, but nobody being given up is as proven as Dunn, who won't be a rental, while Biggio and Bags aren't getting younger. Add the facts Clemens was saying about being on the same page with the owner and gm about getting another bat. If not, let Clemens go back to the Yanks cause he will be pissed no matter what he's said about not being traded.

I understand the hesitation, but the Stros need to make a move. We have the pitching to win it all, we just need a little more hitting. If this is a Stros decision not to go after anyone at all, i wonder who's call it really is.

I could ramble more and probably will later, but this article really caught me by suprise. Maybe Drayton just wants to see how the road trip goes to see if we slip back under.

 

Your reply just made me think of something. Doesn't insurance pay Bagwell's salary while he's out? So wouldn't we be able to afford Helton this year or just about anyone else for that matter? Especially Dunn, who makes under 5 million. We would still have money to spare.

Anyways, if we take 2 of 3 from the Cards, the pressure will have to be on Drayton to do something. Because then then we get the Pirates before 4 games vs the 1st place Nationals, who have their own offensive struggles. But if we have an extra bat by then, it sure would help.