Get the picture?

[ferret]

McTaggart

11/5
But before the Astros can become aggressive in signing their free agents, Wade said he needs to get a better idea of the club's overall payroll picture.
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091105&content_id=7627176&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

here's the picture,

11/11
Notes: Houston Astros general manager Ed Wade suggested the Astros would not be in the market to bring Pettitte back to Houston. "We can’t add appreciable payroll," he said
http://www.lohud.com/article/20091111/SPORTS01/911110336/-1/SPORTS/Cashman-not-ruling-anything-out-concerning-Yankees%E2%80%99--rotation

[Fredia]

like a giant hamster wheel and someone in it just running circles over and over

[subnuclear]

Does "appreciable payroll" include Tejada and Valverde?

[homer]

Can't add it to what? Isn't payroll going down with the 16 player turnover?

[BatGirl]

Can't add it to what? Isn't payroll going down with the 16 player turnover?

http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=tmxTtDiWidNuZUZLxaZIu5Q&output=html

[Bench]

http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=tmxTtDiWidNuZUZLxaZIu5Q&output=html

Well, that's useful.  Did you make that? 

Interesting that Paulino is represented by MMA agents.  Joey Trum's new favorite player?

[BudGirl]

http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=tmxTtDiWidNuZUZLxaZIu5Q&output=html

You are a woman of many talents.  (Whether you did this or found it.)

[BatGirl]

stole it
don't make me say from whence it came
(for it may make you wince)

[hostros7]

http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/10/money-worries-could-force-reds-to-move-all-star-phillips-others/

This article mentions the Sawks want to bring in a new left fielder via a trade and not resign Bay.  Are the odds above 0 that they would take Lee?  I mean, just put some dreads on him and convince them that Manny didn't go to LA, he was just eating incessantly in the Dominican for the last 1.5 years.

[Gizzmonic]

http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/10/money-worries-could-force-reds-to-move-all-star-phillips-others/

This article mentions the Sawks want to bring in a new left fielder via a trade and not resign Bay.  Are the odds above 0 that they would take Lee?  I mean, just put some dreads on him and convince them that Manny didn't go to LA, he was just eating incessantly in the Dominican for the last 1.5 years.

What do the Sox have that the Astros want?  I'm not being flip, just not too familiar with their farm system.  I'm guessing anyone that's currently in the ML is untouchable.  Wouldn't it be something to have Tacoby Bellsbury and Michael Bourn on the same team though?

[MusicMan]

Daniel Bard, come on down!

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2009/11/10/money-worries-could-force-reds-to-move-all-star-phillips-others/

This article mentions the Sawks want to bring in a new left fielder via a trade and not resign Bay.  Are the odds above 0 that they would take Lee?  I mean, just put some dreads on him and convince them that Manny didn't go to LA, he was just eating incessantly in the Dominican for the last 1.5 years.

To hell with Lee.  Send them Pence.  That sound you just heard was all the pink jerseys in Bahstan getting a little giddy about Lil Gunter.

[Andyzipp]

I like the idea that Felipe Paulino is represented by Octagon.

Chuck Norris as a lead negotiator would kick the ass.

[MusicMan]

Chuck Norris as a lead negotiator would kick the ass.

Chuck Norris will lead his armies onto the field of Armageddon against Scott Boras.

[Limey]

Chuck Norris will lead his armies onto the field of Armageddon against Scott Boras.

Hunter Pence ran through a glass door to get away from a photo of Chuck Norris.

[ferret]

"Astros GM Ed Wade admitted his team needs to have its payroll 'go south'"

Joel Sherman got this quote from Ed Wade when he asked if Carlos Lee might be traded to the Mets

Wade said “He is going to be our left fielder. He has a complete no-trade clause and he has made it very, very clear that he does not want to go anywhere.”
http://www.nypost.com/p/blogs/hardball/mets_won_get_lee_from_astros_cOnhQdQn02dYa7cid3ut6M

"go south", in this context, means it will be reduced.

[MusicMan]

"Astros GM Ed Wade admitted his team needs to have its payroll 'go south'"

Joel Sherman got this quote from Ed Wade when he asked if Carlos Lee might be traded to the Mets

Wade said “He is going to be our left fielder. He has a complete no-trade clause and he has made it very, very clear that he does not want to go anywhere.”
http://www.nypost.com/p/blogs/hardball/mets_won_get_lee_from_astros_cOnhQdQn02dYa7cid3ut6M

"go south", in this context, means it will be reduced.

Eithe that, or we will fix payroll to be made in Pesos.

[Lurch]

"Astros GM Ed Wade admitted his team needs to have its payroll 'go south'"

Joel Sherman got this quote from Ed Wade when he asked if Carlos Lee might be traded to the Mets

Wade said “He is going to be our left fielder. He has a complete no-trade clause and he has made it very, very clear that he does not want to go anywhere.”
http://www.nypost.com/p/blogs/hardball/mets_won_get_lee_from_astros_cOnhQdQn02dYa7cid3ut6M

"go south", in this context, means it will be reduced.

I'm calling BS.  Note the "go south" was not directly attributed to Wade.  And, would he really break that huge news to some NY schmuck?

That said, you'd prefer your GM say you don't want to trade a star player because he means so much to your organization, rather than "he has made it very, very clear that he does not want to go anywhere."

[OregonStrosFan]

http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=tmxTtDiWidNuZUZLxaZIu5Q&output=html

Speaking of salaries for 2010, anyone have a link with a good primer on salary increases through arbitration (i.e. rules of thumbs for arb eligible super 2s/ 1st yr arb / 2nd year arb / 3rd year arb vs. standard arb salaries). Thnx!

[Alkie]

I'm calling BS.  Note the "go south" was not directly attributed to Wade.  And, would he really break that huge news to some NY schmuck?

No one said shit to me.

[ferret]

I'm calling BS.  Note the "go south" was not directly attributed to Wade.  And, would he really break that huge news to some NY schmuck?

That said, you'd prefer your GM say you don't want to trade a star player because he means so much to your organization, rather than "he has made it very, very clear that he does not want to go anywhere."

Because that's what Wade's been dealing with his whole career?  Be a fucking idiot what do I care.

[MusicMan]

That said, you'd prefer your GM say you don't want to trade a star player because he means so much to your organization, rather than "he has made it very, very clear that he does not want to go anywhere."

Carlos Lee does not mean that much to the Astros organization.  Next Void, they will be take twenty cents on the dollar in trade to get him off the payroll. He is a very good hitter, but with WadeSmith committing to pitching, speed, and defense, he doesn't fit in.

[OregonStrosFan]

Carlos Lee does not mean that much to the Astros organization.

I'm curious to see what Lee does in '10. Wade has already told him they want him to come to camp lighter next year. He'll have a new manager that (hopefully) will not put up with his slacking on the bases. He obviously likes being in Houston (refusal to even consider a trade), but his no trade clause becomes a limited no trade clause in '11 (before reverting back to no trade via 5 yr rights, I think) and I'd imagine Wade will use that as a hammer throughout '10.

And while he's not in danger of being accused of being a good defensive left fielder, it'll be interesting to see what kind of difference better defensive alignment (one of Mills purported strengths) and a little bit of hustle (again, hoping the new guy and potential of being traded in '11 causes him to 'shape up' a bit) might make to his defense. After all, MMPUS isn't exactly PNC when it comes to ground to cover in left.

[MusicMan]

And while he's not in danger of being accused of being a good defensive left fielder, it'll be interesting to see what kind of difference better defensive alignment (one of Mills purported strengths) and a little bit of hustle (again, hoping the new guy and potential of being traded in '11 causes him to 'shape up' a bit) might make to his defense. After all, MMPUS isn't exactly PNC when it comes to ground to cover in left.

It just goes to show the wide variance in the current fielding metrics.  UZR has him as middle of the pack, slightly below average; BP's RAA has him as far an away the worst LF on defense.  My eyes tell me he'll catch what is hit close to him, but I don't see enough others on a regular basis to make a comparison.

[Andyzipp]

It just goes to show the wide variance in the current fielding metrics.  UZR has him as middle of the pack, slightly below average; BP's RAA has him as far an away the worst LF on defense.  My eyes tell me he'll catch what is hit close to him, but I don't see enough others on a regular basis to make a comparison.

I don't think Lee is a problem in left.  Gunther is the problem in the outfield.

If he could learn to take correct angles and cover the ground he should be covering, Bourn could cheat towards left more, helping Lee out.

Since Plateglass is such a fucking adventure in right, Bourn is required to play more straight up.

[ferret]

Carlos Lee does not mean that much to the Astros organization.  Next Void, they will be take twenty cents on the dollar in trade to get him off the payroll. He is a very good hitter, but with WadeSmith committing to pitching, speed, and defense, he doesn't fit in.

Has it occured to anyone to ask how exactly Wade knows that Lee made it "very very clear" that he wouldn't waive his no trade clause?

[MusicMan]

Has it occured to anyone to ask how exactly Wade knows that Lee made it "very very clear" that he wouldn't waive his no trade clause?

I thought it was very very clear.

[Limey]

No one said shit to me.

What's the point of petitioning Wade not to hire back Garner to keep you out of the TZ, if you're going to come here anyway?

[Gizzmonic]

Has it occured to anyone to ask how exactly Wade knows that Lee made it "very very clear" that he wouldn't waive his no trade clause?

Maybe he used that dick cream that Sammy Sosa was using.

[Reuben]

Has it occured to anyone to ask how exactly Wade knows that Lee made it "very very clear" that he wouldn't waive his no trade clause?

It is a rather emphatic choice of words. One could say that he is just paraphrasing what Lee has told JDJO and others over the last couple years when they start their annual stir-up-the-pot survey of Oswalt, Lee, and Berkman's willingness to accept a trade. But hey, maybe he has asked Carlos directly.

[Lurch]

Ok, I'll shut up now.

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

Of course they're going to reduce payroll.  There's no way that Miggy makes nearly as much in 2010 as he did this year.  I'm not sure that they'll resign him (Wade seems to indicate that the youth movement is in full swing), but if you subtract $14 MM from the payroll, you could still pay a starter a comfy $7-8 MM and still "reduce payroll".

Wade's playing the hand he's been dealt, but he's not retarded: he knows Drayton's commitment to fielding a team that's competitive enough to put AIS.

[Reuben]

Of course they're going to reduce payroll.  There's no way that Miggy makes nearly as much in 2010 as he did this year.  I'm not sure that they'll resign him (Wade seems to indicate that the youth movement is in full swing), but if you subtract $14 MM from the payroll, you could still pay a starter a comfy $7-8 MM and still "reduce payroll".

Wade's playing the hand he's been dealt, but he's not retarded: he knows Drayton's commitment to fielding a team that's competitive enough to put AIS.

They also have Pence, Bourn, and Wandy all probably earning $2-3 mil more as arb-eligibles. Not sure how much that gives them to play with if you subtract Tejada and Valverde's salaries, etc., but the way Wade's talking, probably not much.

[Alkie]

What's the point of petitioning Wade not to hire back Garner to keep you out of the TZ, if you're going to come here anyway?

Good point.

Actually, I'm such an enormous Millsy fan, I may just stick around to see how he does.  I mean, here's a guy we can all root for, right?  Home town boy who became a superstar and then finally, after a lot of media speculation, finally came home to manage the Astros.   I know I've slept better.

I just hope Millsy can pitch.   And that Lackey's ranch is in Brazoria.

[Mr. Happy]

Good point.

Actually, I'm such an enormous Millsy fan, I may just stick around to see how he does.  I mean, here's a guy we can all root for, right?  Home town boy who became a superstar and then finally, after a lot of media speculation, finally came home to manage the Astros.   I know I've slept better.

I just hope Millsy can pitch.   And that Lackey's ranch is in Brazoria.

Count me as one who likes you being in the TZ, no matter who's managing.

[S.P. Rodriguez]

Okay, so I realize this is a total pipe-dream given all the statements in public.  But, it sure would be awesome if Wade/Smith could swing a trade of Carlos Lee to Boston, for Clay Buchholtz.  They'd probably have to take Lowell in the deal, but that's still a substantial savings on the whole.  Anyway, like I said,  it's only a pipe-dream

[Taras Bulba]

Okay, so I realize this is a total pipe-dream given all the statements in public.  But, it sure would be awesome if Wade/Smith could swing a trade of Carlos Lee to Boston, for Clay Buchholtz.  They'd probably have to take Lowell in the deal, but that's still a substantial savings on the whole.  Anyway, like I said,  it's only a pipe-dream

Probably better to instead, lay pipe in your dream.  Hopefully, Carlos and Buchholtz won't be involved.  NTTAWWT.