ESPN.com story on possible Bagwell retirement

[David in Jackson]

The Link

[David in Jackson]

I think the headline is very misleading and the story contains no real new info.

[MusicMan]

This just rehashes the Chronic article referenced  here.

[David in Jackson]

Quote:
This just rehashes the Chronic article referenced  here.

Agreed.

[EmirOfSchmoe]

I personally think that Bagwell should retire but would I walk away from 17 million?  Heck no.  Would I accept a trade to the AL to DH?  Yes I would.  This is probably the only chance, although a small one, to reach 500 HR.

I hope I'm wrong and he has a hell of a year in 2006.

[jasonact]

No way. If I'm Bagwell, I'm doing exactly what he's doing: working as hard as I can to come back to the Astros. Sure he wants the money, but that's not the only motivation. Besides, at this point in his career, he doesn't want to change teams, muchless changing leagues. He has said before that he in no way wants to go to the AL to DH. If he can't play the field, he won't play.

Besides, the Astros and Barry Axelrod both refuted the reports that the Astros asked him to retire  here (probably already posted either in NYCU or elsewhere in the TZ).

[S.P. Rodriguez]

And  this  today.

[jasonact]

Quote:
"Apparently, the Astros wanted something now. It's very easy to say now 'Oh, it doesn't look like he can play.' I've never looked like I could play (at this point) in the last four years."

Surely the Astros recognize this, right? I mean, I know that they have this insurance deadline, but what exactly were they hoping to learn from this examination?

[Froback]

Quote:

Quote:
"Apparently, the Astros wanted something now. It's very easy to say now 'Oh, it doesn't look like he can play.' I've never looked like I could play (at this point) in the last four years."

Surely the Astros recognize this, right? I mean, I know that they have this insurance deadline, but what exactly were they hoping to learn from this examination?

The only thing that might come from this early exam would be a definative, he can't come back.  If the report says that it is too early to tell and Bagwell needs more time to work on throwing, then that leaves hope he can return.  So I am guessing the Astros hope it is definative because otherwise they are left in the same place they were before, unknowing of what will happen and having to wait and see.  Which makes them uneasy because of the amount of money involved.

This might also explain why Bagwell didn't want the exam, it could only end badly for him, and best case is him being allowed to continue what he was already doing (rehab).

I still think the results will be inconclusive and the Astros will have to give up the option for insurance and wait and see.  Which means risking Bagwell NOT being healthy enough to play, without an insurance back-up.

[jasonact]

The article on Astros.com (I think) indicated that they could file a claim on the policy and then take a wait-and-see stance during ST. I'm not sure how that would work, though.

[Arky Vaughan]

Quote:
I think the headline is very misleading and the story contains no real new info.

Here's one more reason to be glad ESPN pays so little attention to teams outside the New York-Boston orbit.  They like to publish stuff to stir up controversy.  I have no doubt that Bagwell and the Astros have their disagreements over this matter, but ESPN would just love for it to develop into some kind of Ramirez-Red Sox rift.

Imagine having to have this malicious spotlight focused on the team all the time.  And wait for the barrage of articles on whether Johnny Damon is a "true Yankee" this spring.

[pravata]

Quote:

Quote:
I think the headline is very misleading and the story contains no real new info.

Here's one more reason to be glad ESPN pays so little attention to teams outside the New York-Boston orbit.  They like to publish stuff to stir up controversy.  I have no doubt that Bagwell and the Astros have their disagreements over this matter, but ESPN would just love for it to develop into some kind of Ramirez-Red Sox rift.

Imagine having to have this malicious spotlight focused on the team all the time.  And wait for the barrage of articles on whether Johnny Damon is a "true Yankee" this spring.

They're getting their stuff from Justice, who seems to like publicity.  Bagwells comments today (see NYCU) suggests all that is necessary for the insurance to kick in is for him to say "I'm done".  I also read into these comments that the Astros would very much like for him to say those words.  But, have not gone all the way to the point of actually asking him to.

[Arky Vaughan]

Quote:
They're getting their stuff from Justice, who seems to like publicity.  Bagwells comments today (see NYCU) suggests all that is necessary for the insurance to kick in is for him to say "I'm done".  I also read into these comments that the Astros would very much like for him to say those words.  But, have not gone all the way to the point of actually asking him to.

I wonder if ESPN even talked to anyone -- any single source -- for the story, or simply cribbed off Justice's column.

[Ty in Tampa]

or simply cribbed off Justice's column.

Put me down for this scenario.

[OldBlevins]

OK.  I know your quote is from a Danny Kaye movie, but what's it called?

[Ty in Tampa]

"The Court Jester" 1956

[MusicMan]

Quote:

Quote:
They're getting their stuff from Justice, who seems to like publicity.  Bagwells comments today (see NYCU) suggests all that is necessary for the insurance to kick in is for him to say "I'm done".  I also read into these comments that the Astros would very much like for him to say those words.  But, have not gone all the way to the point of actually asking him to.

I wonder if ESPN even talked to anyone -- any single source -- for the story, or simply cribbed off Justice's column.

Read the ESPN article again - it's bylined "ESPN News Services", and every single paragraph references the Justice article.

It's a straight rehash spiced up with an inflammatory headline.