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

You make it sound oh so easy. You think they're not trying?

 

somehow i doubt it's that easy.

 

I know they're trying. I'm saying my job involves getting results, working out favorable deals for my clients, preparing for trial. Your job probably involves results. We're all accountable. And a GM's job involves working out trades when needed. Pupura's not a bad guy if he doesn't get one done, and he might end up being a really good GM, but he's going to be judged this season based in part on what he does, or doesn't do, by the deadline.

 

If the job was easy, they'd hire you and me to do it.

Seriously tho, a noncontending team has incentive to get value for veterans who are still productive. They need prospects and younger players and salary relief. A contending but veteran team needs players who are productive now, and are usually willing to sacrifice something in the future. So trades are generally in both teams best interests, because their respective assets are more valued by the other club. The tricky part is of course in deciding what the specifics of the trade will be. Nonetheless, trades can and do happen.

I suppose though that you'd prefer we not make any assessment of trades or the ability of the GM to get them done, because clearly trades are tough to do and we assume the staff is working hard. Hey, hitting a baseball is really tough to do as well, and I know he tries hard, but Brad Ausmus is still a poor hitter by any quantitative standards. Baseball is an entertainment industry, players and GMs are under the microscope, and fans will always judge the people filling those jobs by the results generated, fair or not.

 

Oh, I agree that TP should, and will, be judged by what he does. It is, as you said, his job. But it is a bit premature to be throwing around words like "idiot" and "failure" (even when qualified with "potential") until we see what other deals get made, and what the Astros do and *why* they decide to go a certain route.

And don't be suprised at all if, after the Stros trade for a guy not named Dunn/Helton/"superstar X" but who is a productive guy & who fits their plans, you hear the chorus of "Why the hell did they trade for THIS guy?"

I guess alls I'm saying is, can we have just a little patience, please?

 

The problem with soriano is that he is a free agent and the astros would not trade for him unless they signed him to an extension or at least were given some assuarances that he will sign with us.

 

Since your post was directed at me, it's fair to point out that I never used the word "idiot" referring to Pupura (hey, you're the one referring to him as TP, which to me is the stuff in rolls next to the john). I don't really care about other deals by other clubs or why they would "decide" to go the route of not adding anyone, like most fans I'm interested in the bottom line.

I don't really care what the public reaction is, I don't think moves should be made for that reason. Adding a solid but non-superstar bat like some of the names I threw out there would be great, even if it wasn't flashy. Heck, a non-superstar bat might be better, if it comes at a substantially lower cost.

 

I honestly think that if we can add a big bat we should. Because I think, when we meet the Cards in the NLCS *knocks on wood*, our pitchers will be more than ready for them this time around. And besides, the Cards' most valuable player Dan Miceli won't be there.

A rotation of Clemens/Oswalt/Pettite/Backe and having Lidge closing shouldn't be put through what could be weak offensive help.

And if Helton's on the market, and even though he's creeping up there in age, get him. I wouldn't hold it against Pupura if he had to trade Lane or Lamb or Burke for Helton only to see that those three would be offensive monsters in the end IF I knew THIS YEAR's chances of getting to the World Series goes up just by adding Helton. Win now, worry later.

 

ok..it's richard justice..but i'll post it anyway:

http://blogs.chron.com/sportsjustice/

July 15, 2005
On Adam Dunn, Pittsburgh and Carole King...
• Adam Dunn probably doesn't even remember the play, but inside the Astros' clubhouse and front office, it left a huge impression. It happened a few weeks ago when Dunn appeared to loaf on a play in which he could have thrown Brad Ausmus out on the bases.

Players and management alike mentioned it to me over the last couple of days. They're wondering if that single play doesn't signal a larger issue. They're wondering if he has come to accept the losing in Cincinnati, and if he'd be a good fit for the Astros.

"I'd say he'd make us a LITTLE better," one guy told me.

In the end, the more important issue probably is how the Reds have overvalued him and want too much to make a deal. But that play has stuck in a lot of minds, too.

They're wondering what it says about his work ethic, commitment, etc. For now, scratch Adam Dunn from the list of possible future Astros.

 

Saw this today...

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/3270141

In a guest role today through Wednesday, Richard Justice attempts to rise above the self-indulgent miasma that suffuses ESPN's Around the Horn. Join me in wishing him well. ...

 

Really, now? Do you rent hotel rooms and cars in Houston? How many?

 

How long have you lived in Houston? MMP is paid for by an increase in taxes on rental cars and hotels. It wasn't really an analogy as much as it was a fact.

 

Everyone promises championships. It's not Drayton's fault that we couldn't hit anyone in '97 and '98. It's not Drayton's fault that Walt Weiss made an amazing play in '99. It's not Drayton's fault Mike Jackson was called from the bullpen in '01. It's not Drayton's fault that Jim Edmonds made a badass catch in game 7 (Buck) in '05.

There are definitely people here not watching baseball...

 

Uh yeah, owe you a beer on that one. I was not in my optimal state of mental functionality at the time.

 

I only remembered the debate when I started typing that. How I did not have a hangover yesterday is a miracle.

 

As well stated by others, that was not an analogy.

 

I'll pass. If one is given to whining, he will whine regardless. I with the Astros would have won, too.