Whitey with some harsh words

[Bench]

In his pay-per-blog column today he addresses how the teams in the postseason (Yankees and Red Sox included) represent the triumph of patience, scouting, development, and the importance of good managers and veterans on the teams.

http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=3054454&name=gammons_peter

He includes the following nuggets as part of his "what not to do" counter point:

One could ponder "what the Houston Astros might be with rational ownership. "

. . .

"Drayton McLane is too erratic, too hands-on and too devoted to the Selig signing laws to succeed in Houston."

. . .

"Houston became an embarrassment this year by refusing to sign any high picks above the price-fixing slots. "

Ouch.

[MusicMan]

The Cubs became impatient, benched their top prospect (Pie) in favor of $126M/never played CF Soriano, dropped insane money on mediocre pitchers, and backed their way in from a lousy division.

The Yankees and Red Sox are self-explanatory.

Otherwise... yes, he's accurate.

[jaklewein]

In his pay-per-blog column today he addresses how the teams in the postseason (Yankees and Red Sox included) represent the triumph of patience, scouting, development, and the importance of good managers and veterans on the teams.

http://insider.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=3054454&name=gammons_peter

He includes the following nuggets as part of his "what not to do" counter point:

One could ponder "what the Houston Astros might be with rational ownership. "

. . .

"Drayton McLane is too erratic, too hands-on and too devoted to the Selig signing laws to succeed in Houston."

. . .

"Houston became an embarrassment this year by refusing to sign any high picks above the price-fixing slots. "

Ouch.

I've seen more than a couple posts directed at outside sources bashing McLane and his Astros.  What about the 2004-2005 Astros?  Oh nevermind...that was all Rajah right?  Irritating to say the least.

[BossierNaut]

http://insider.espn.go.co...54&name=gammons_peter

..does anyone have a link to the full ramble?
.


"The Cubs became impatient, benched their top prospect (Pie) in favor of $126M/never played CF Soriano, dropped insane money on mediocre pitchers, and backed their way in from a lousy division."

.Houston is in better shape than CHI.....


CHI is about to start changing Corporate......they will be confused/conflicted  for a couple of years..plus..they are the Cubs...


..This was their very best shot.



..Beer Makers...not Cubs..in your gunsight!


..and those pesky Cardinals..



.

[Jacksonian]

"Houston became an embarrassment this year by refusing to sign any high picks above the price-fixing slots. "

He wrote this crap?

Yeah, how dare the Astros not sign a third round pick (a player that did not drop due to signability) for first round money especially when the player verbally agreed to sign for slot money shortly before being drafted.

[ValpoCory]

He wrote this crap?

Yeah, how dare the Astros not sign a third round pick (a player that did not drop due to signability) for first round money especially when the player verbally agreed to sign for slot money shortly before being drafted.

Exactly.  Also, would Houston be an embarrassment if they made the playoffs?  Probably not, so basically he is saying that one of the reasons the 2007 Astros are an embarrassment is some draft pick that happened during the middle of the year?  Would signing him have changed the Astros record?

[At Ease]

Exactly.  Also, would Houston be an embarrassment if they made the playoffs?  Probably not, so basically he is saying that one of the reasons the 2007 Astros are an embarrassment is some draft pick that happened during the middle of the year?  Would signing him have changed the Astros record?

His quote seems pretty clear.  The way Houston handled the draft this year was an embarrassment to the organization, and it's one reason Tim Purpura no longer has a job.

[MusicMan]

His quote seems pretty clear.  The way Houston handled the draft this year was an embarrassment to the organization, and it's one reason Tim Purpura no longer has a job.

I doubt that Tim was not signing draft picks on his own.  Drayton's involvement seems clear there.

[tophfar]

I doubt that Tim was not signing draft picks on his own.  Drayton's involvement seems clear there.

Not to him, he's been harping on this since Purpura got fired and still hasn't figured it out.  I don't think it will suddenly become clear now.

[Jacksonian]

I doubt that Tim was not signing draft picks on his own.  Drayton's involvement seems clear there.

The thing is, neither Dietrich nor Eibner were worth more than the slot where they were drafted.  People are bitching because they weren't signed without looking at the details.

[JimR]

His quote seems pretty clear.  The way Houston handled the draft this year was an embarrassment to the organization, and it's one reason Tim Purpura no longer has a job.

are you saying this or merely translating?

[At Ease]

I doubt that Tim was not signing draft picks on his own.  Drayton's involvement seems clear there.

Sure.  My intent wasn't to rehash an argument of who was at fault for the draft picks going unsigned.  I just don't see anything particularly outrageous about Gammons' statement, given that the Astros likely found the 2007 draft to be an embarrassment as well, if they used it as justification to fire TP.

[JimR]

the Astros likely found the 2007 draft to be an embarrassment as well, if they used it as justification to fire TP.

who is this "they" of whom you speak?

[jbm]

Sure.  My intent wasn't to rehash an argument of who was at fault for the draft picks going unsigned.  I just don't see anything particularly outrageous about Gammons' statement, given that the Astros likely found the 2007 draft to be an embarrassment as well, if they used it as justification to fire TP.

I wouldn't call it outrageous, but it is lacks meaning when one really thinks it through.  Just what is the embarrassment?  Is it that the Astros should have payed above slot and didn't?  Since when is refusing to pay a buck fifty for a bucks worth of product embarrassing?  To me, it is more embarassing to see an organization get taken by a kid and his agent.

The only embarrassing thing I can think of (related to TP) would be if he should have seen it coming.  I have never heard anyone even hint that TP should have anticipated those type of demands before the draft.