[Star-Telegram] Backe for Soriano Swap?

No thanks. Soriano makes nearly $8 mil a year, while Backe plays for the minimum. If we wanted to spend that kind of salary on a good-hitting, weak-fielding 2B, we could have just kept Jeff Kent.

 

the only diff there is the age diff... soriano is you sign him can be with you a long time... but he does suck at fielding.

 

I love Backe. He had a great stretch but thats it, a stretch. Soriano is a known good commodity. Backe could fall off the face of the planet next year. If we can still get Beltran and are able to shore up the bullpen, I say pull the freaking trigger. Ship Burke off for another pitcher.

 

that is what I was thinking... You could trade burke or try him at 3rd but to me I could live with soriano and the numbers he puts up

 

With unlimited funds I'd agree with you. But the Astros simply can't afford to spend $8 million at a position where they have a viable cheap option. They need their money to re-sign Beltran and Clemens, or get replacements for same, plus bullpen help.

 

now what if beltran did not sign would you make the deal.

 

If Soriano, and his lead glove, then where Bigg?

If Bigg, and his lead glove, in LF, then Burke, and his questionable bat.

Dilemmas.

 

bigg should be a super utility man this year anyway.. he will not hit close to 40 hrs and get you 100 rbis

 

Maybe, but I think I'd pursue Drew or Beltre or Ordonez first. Soriano swings at way too many bad pitches, along with being a poor glove.

 

if carlos did not sign.. you could have ordonez and soriano with that money and sure up the bullpen

 

This is tough, I'd almost be more willing to give up Miller. But who's more of a question mark, Miller (injured, more $), or Backe (not proven, less $)? All this is harder still considering Clemens is still up in the air and Pettitte may still be injury prone. I'd really like to see Soriano here and maybe trade Burke for some bullpen help.

 

Did you guys even read the blurb? The Astros and Rangers aren't even discussing it right now until they figure out where they stand with Beltran and Clemens.

 

I think I'd rather have Ordonez and Soriano than just Beltran. Especially if Soriano can be had for Miller instead of Backe.

 

man.....then we would all be b****ing about his fielding. It's terrible.

 

Alfonso Soriano is the LAST thing the Astros need at this point. We have enough free swinging idiots on this team already. We need contact hitters that can put the ball in play and move runners up, not guys that strike out and hit into double plays with men on base.

Giving up a promising talent in Backe after his first full season would be a huge mistake.

 

So close to what I would have said there is no reason for me to type it out.

If they want to talk Backe with us, fine. They better mention Young, Teixeira or Blalock. They will laugh at that probably, but the Astros should laugh when they say Soriano's name.

 

It says a lot about Gerry Hunsicker as well as the Astros scouts. That guy was a certified badass when it came to trades and evaluating talent.