That quote says more to me about the team’s situation than I had originally figured…I was with some of you thinking it was the 3rd year…but Harris’ quote makes it sound like they weren’t even in the same ballpark regarding the AAV either. The payroll problem seems to be a real issue. I know, I knew it was an issue but this tells me the cubbard is damn near bare at this point. I hope there is enough cash left to at least grab a depth SP?
I guess we should’ve believed Crane when he said he wanted to stay under the luxury tax. Not signing Cole was an obvious consequence of that. Not signing Harris at $8mm per was not so obvious.
Thanks for adding the 1 click (Link). I am not sure how to do that, but I figured it was needed.
The Astros were not going to re-sign Cole, no matter what. I guess if they’d offered him a billion dollars/year, he would have paused, but short of that, he was not a payroll move. The Astros simply had no shot at him.
And yes, payroll is now an issue. You can’t sign the Verlanders, Greinkes, Bregmans, Springers and Correas of the world then overpay for the Will Harrises, no matter how much you’d like to.
Yea, payroll is now an issue. You got Verlander, Greinke, Bregman, going to get Springer and Correa…that money has to come from somewhere, and it’s from Will Harris. The Astros are not the Yankees, so they have to manage their money.
They’re paying Altuve too.
I was thinking about just the guys they signed in the last year or will need to sign in the next, but yeah, Altuve doesn’t play for free, neither does Brantley, Reddick, or Gurriel. The Astros are loaded with payroll, so I’m trying to head off the talk of them now being cheap. They’re not. Crane also doesn’t shit gold.
This is where non-BoSox/Yankee organizations have to live.
Player development is critical. As I’ve said elsewhere, this is the real test of Astroball.
Except he said he was willIng to go over to sign Cole.
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I must have missed that. All the quotes I saw from him were cryptic or included qualifiers.
Thank you. The “same ole cheap Astros” takes are idiotic
HH, I don’t think we’re cheap and you have not seen me bitching about the loss of Cole, etc. I’m extremely happy with what the club has done in terms of spending the last couple seasons. I knew the spending had to dry up at some point, just hoping we still have a few dollars to add at least one more pitcher to the mix. Maybe that is not in the cards, and if it’s not, I’ll trust in management like I have for many years.
Moving on…when you say “going to get Springer and Correa”…does that mean you believe they will try and resign or extend both beyond their current deals? Or do you mean we’re paying them reasonably large salaries like others we’ve already resigned heading into '20 payroll under their current deals?
FWIW, I haven’t really seen anyone except a couple of Twitter randos saying that or anything resembling it.
Where is HD when you need him?
Is HD ever needed?
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True that. Just who I think about when owner doesn’t spend money. I really wished I didn’t. But some things can’t be undone in ones cranium. Bushneck Lackey.
I think they will try to extend both Springer and Correa. That is based on nothing but my own belief, so take it for what it’s worth.
I think they extend Springer and trade Correa at some point in next few years.
I did not expect the organization to be able to hold and return the same w.s team, but more players have been shown the door than I expected… I guess there is rationalizations for each of them, but are corresponding moves being made to keep the team at the same level or even any improvements?
Good post., This is one reason Luhnow is here…finding and determining value.