Lopez...

[JJxvi]

 Lopez@Large

 

Quote:
Roger Clemens will be wearing a different hat in 2006. While it might seem the Astros would not expand the budget now that their biggest-ticket item is gone, I would suspect otherwise.

I believe a blockbuster deal is on the way and it might include more than one team and involve the Astros having to expand their budget in order to make it work Brad Lidge is on the trading block, is my hunch. He has been and will be offered, because he is the best commodity -- and would bring the most in return. The Astros also feel strongly about Chad Qualls and Dan Wheeler perhaps sharing time as the 2006 closer, relieving each of some closer pressure, until one distinguishes himself.

Mark it down.

They're dangling Lidge and another player (not Jason Lane) and dealing for an outfielder. The magnitude of this deal could shock you and make you feel a bit better about losing an icon ...

 

Translation:Lopez thinks we might trade Jeff Bagwell and Brad Lidge for Manny Ramirez.

[pravata]

Quote:
Lopez@Large

 

Quote:
Roger Clemens will be wearing a different hat in 2006. While it might seem the Astros would not expand the budget now that their biggest-ticket item is gone, I would suspect otherwise.

I believe a blockbuster deal is on the way and it might include more than one team and involve the Astros having to expand their budget in order to make it work Brad Lidge is on the trading block, is my hunch. He has been and will be offered, because he is the best commodity -- and would bring the most in return. The Astros also feel strongly about Chad Qualls and Dan Wheeler perhaps sharing time as the 2006 closer, relieving each of some closer pressure, until one distinguishes himself.

Mark it down.

They're dangling Lidge and another player (not Jason Lane) and dealing for an outfielder. The magnitude of this deal could shock you and make you feel a bit better about losing an icon ...

 

Translation:Lopez thinks we might trade Jeff Bagwell and Brad Lidge for Manny Ramirez.

That may be the deal, who's to say at this point?  All we know so far that it's going to be exciting.  Now we've added "shocked"?  However, hows losing another icon going to make me (atleast) feel better about losing the other icon?

[OldBlevins]

Quote:

Quote:
Lopez@Large

 

Quote:
Roger Clemens will be wearing a different hat in 2006. While it might seem the Astros would not expand the budget now that their biggest-ticket item is gone, I would suspect otherwise.

I believe a blockbuster deal is on the way and it might include more than one team and involve the Astros having to expand their budget in order to make it work Brad Lidge is on the trading block, is my hunch. He has been and will be offered, because he is the best commodity -- and would bring the most in return. The Astros also feel strongly about Chad Qualls and Dan Wheeler perhaps sharing time as the 2006 closer, relieving each of some closer pressure, until one distinguishes himself.

Mark it down.

They're dangling Lidge and another player (not Jason Lane) and dealing for an outfielder. The magnitude of this deal could shock you and make you feel a bit better about losing an icon ...

 

Translation:Lopez thinks we might trade Jeff Bagwell and Brad Lidge for Manny Ramirez.

That may be the deal, who's to say at this point?  All we know so far that it's going to be exciting.  Now we've added "shocked"?  However, hows losing another icon going to make me (atleast) feel better about losing the other icon?

Why would the Red Sox want Bagwell?  They already have a full-time DH, Ortiz, who is incompetent in the field.  If Bagwell can play, he should stay with the Astros.  If he can't, the Red Sox are about the last team that could use him.

[jasonact]

Quote:
Translation:Lopez thinks we might trade Jeff Bagwell and Brad Lidge for Manny Ramirez.

I'm assuming that's sarcasm regarding Bagwell and Ramirez on your part, but I can't tell for sure. Bagwell's going nowhere for 2006.

[JJxvi]

I think its pretty clear that a "shocking" deal along with a jibe about the "loss of an icon" (which appears to refer to Clemens), a deal where the Astros take on salary, deal for an outfielder means the scenario I translated. I didnt write it, Im just translating Lopez-speak.

He definitely means Manny. No other OF on the market fits the bill.

[homer]

Manny in an Astros uni.... hard to imagine.


Not saying its impossible or unlikely, just saying its hard to imagine.

[MusicMan]

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He definitely means Manny. No other OF on the market fits the bill.

Where have you gone, Bobby Abreu?  A lonely city turns its eyes to you....

[mihoba]

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Where have you gone, Bobby Abreu?  A lonely city turns its eyes to you....

Now that would right a wrong that happened years ago.

[jasonact]

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Where have you gone, Bobby Abreu?  A lonely city turns its eyes to you....

Now that would right a wrong that happened years ago.

That would be in my best case scenario, but I don't think the Astros can afford what the Phillies want.

[cc]

Abreu makes a lot more sense than Ramirez, for both teams.  Abreu isn't a knucklehead, for one, and can actually do other things besides hit.  If Lidge is the bait, then that makes sense too.  Who cares if they just signed Flash Gordon and paid him a lot of money?  That seems to be the going rate this offseason for a *good* not great reliever.  I don't think they're sold on him as their closer.

I hope Lidge is not really on the block, though.

[jasonact]

Quote:
Abreu makes a lot more sense than Ramirez, for both teams.  Abreu isn't a knucklehead, for one, and can actually do other things besides hit.  If Lidge is the bait, then that makes sense too.  Who cares if they just signed Flash Gordon and paid him a lot of money?  That seems to be the going rate this offseason for a *good* not great reliever.  I don't think they're sold on him as their closer.

I hope Lidge is not really on the block, though.

I completely agree that Abreu fits better than Ramirez, and he'd probably provide more production. (FWIW, I think Abreu is one of the most underrated players in the league.) But I think it will take more than just Lidge to get him, which is why he probably won't go anywhere this offseason.

[hostros7]

i don't really care to see lidge leave either, but I would have to think that Manny+crawford boxes=good

[jasonact]

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which is why he probably won't go anywhere this offseason

By he, I meant Abreu. I think Lidge could still be traded if the Astros got enough offense in retutn.

[pravata]

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Quote:
which is why he probably won't go anywhere this offseason

By he, I meant Abreu. I think Lidge could still be traded if the Astros got enough offense in retutn.

"Only a week ago the Phillies hoped to land a No. 1 starter in a deal for right fielder Bobby Abreu. Now, it seems the openings will be filled from within by reliever Ryan Madson and either Rob Tejeda or Gavin Floyd."

?I'm not real comfortable with it, but at this point we'll have to do the best we can,? Gillick said. ?I can't see us getting somebody outside to fill the fifth spot right now. We're still up in the air on a setup guy and looking at what's on the free-agent market (for starting pitchers) and where we want to be (in payroll), I don't think there are people out there that can fill that role in our rotation. We're not paying $9 million for a pitcher.?

The Link

The Phils and Dodgers talked at the winter meetings last week about a trade that would have sent Bobby Abreu to Los Angeles for starter Derek Lowe, reliever Duaner Sanchez and two prospects.
The Link