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Sunday, December 28, 2008

McTaggart: Catching up with Wade and McLane

I had the opportunity to visit for a little while with Astros general manager Ed Wade and owner Drayton McLane the day after Christmas, and our conversations ran the gamut from the economy and baseball to how the 2009 Astros are shaping up.

Both are extremely optimistic the Astros will have a competitive club next year, despite losing their third-best hitter in Ty Wigginton and second-best starting pitcher in Randy Wolf. They have plugged the holes with Mike Hampton, Jason Michaels and Aaron Boone, but won’t be offering up any contracts to big-time free agents any time soon.

I asked Wade if McLane had put Ben Sheets under his tree and he chuckled. It’s clear the Astros don’t plan on making any major moves before spring training begins Feb. 14.

“I’m very optimistic about our team,” McLane said. “I think we made some good additions and good adjustments.”

Cavintation alert! Spinal adjustment needed!

 

Repoz Posted: December 28, 2008 at 03:31 PM | 5 comment(s) | Login to Bookmark
  Related News: GeneralHouston

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   1. Dan The Mediocre Posted: December 28, 2008 at 03:48 PM (#3039168)
Both are extremely optimistic the Astros will have a competitive club next year, despite losing their third-best hitter in Ty Wigginton and second-best starting pitcher in Randy Wolf.


If these facts are taken as true (Wolf was about the 3rd best starting pitcher on the Astros last year) then the team really, really needs to consider signing a big free agent or 4.
   2. bbc is prejudice bout men Posted: December 29, 2008 at 01:46 AM (#3039316)
drayton is optimistic???

sounds like he just blowing smoke up our asses

good additions???

matt kata + mike hampton + aaron F boone + jason michaels = something to be "excited" about? he can NOT possibly think he gonna win with THAT.

drayton has made it real clear he isn't gonna spend any more money to get anyone who is actually any good.

he does all the rahrah bullpoopoo to sell tickets.
   3. Mayor Blomberg Posted: December 29, 2008 at 01:56 AM (#3039318)
With Wigginton gone, Wade went to BB-Ref, loo.ked on the list of similar hitters through age 30 and signed #1 on the list, AFB.
   4. bbc is prejudice bout men Posted: December 29, 2008 at 02:23 AM (#3039329)
mayor

no, he didn't

he went looking for the absolute cheapest veteran RH 3baseman he could buy to platoon with blum.

you see, aaron is a "character" guy and that is what wins ball games. it's why they are optimistic

besides, they got slugger jason michaels for a fantastic RH pinch hitter. who could ask for anything more?

as for pitchers, well, felipe paulino is gonna tgake that 5th spot and turn into an ace, even though he has sucked the bog fat hairy one all the way through the minors

you see, pure optimism
   5. Mayor Blomberg Posted: December 29, 2008 at 03:14 AM (#3039345)
OK, and here I was trying to put a good face on it; I mean I'm shouting distance from the juice box here. But, fine, here's Ed Wade, and we all know what he's about:

"We've been fortunate here that during the offseason our primary moves have all been veteran players," Wade said. "Hawkins, Brocail, Hampton, Michaels and Boone. Hawkins and Brocail we all know what they're about. People here know what Hampton's all about.

"I can vouch personally for Michaels and his makeup. And I think all you have to look at is genealogy to know what Aaron is all about. I think he's been a solid player everywhere he's been."
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