"Isthere anything withhis health that I need tobe aware of?"

[pravata]

?If anyone is implying that someone tried to send somebody an injured player, it?s a misnomer?" (?Misnomer? is GM speak for actionable bullshit....and then...)

The Astros already made a one-year, $12 million offer to Pettitte. Purpura acknowledges that it will be difficult to add a salary or $10 million (Garland?s figures) and another of $12 million (Pettitte?s possible take) in more starting pitching.

?That would very difficult,? Purpura said. (glancing idly at the ceiling light fixture) ?But like I?ve said to you guys a lot, that?s why you run on parallel tracks. You never know which one is going to hit. Where are you going to run into a roadblock??  (These things are deeeelicate, veeery delicate) The Link

Tal Smith says, out loud, so some Chronicle schlub can hear him, (whens the last time you saw a quote in the paper by Tal Smith?) that the Astros are about to trade for a $10 million dollar pitcher.  Supposably, Andy Pettitte, and Fam, read the Chronicle or know someone who does.  Suddenly, options for Pasadena constrict to exactly, one.  Cashman going to keep his offer at 15 (whatever) million?  Your move Mr. Pettitte.

(The Kansas City Royals provided a blockbuster conclusion to the winter meetings Thursday by reaching agreement with free-agent pitcher Gil Meche on a five-year deal believed to be worth $55 million. The Link )

[Bonomaniac]

can you retype that in layman's terms for the less intelligent of us?

[pravata]

Quote:
can you retype that in layman's terms for the less intelligent of us?

No.

[DVauthrin]

Basically the Astros through the chronicle made it clear if they traded for garland making 10 mil, Andy would be down to the yankees and no one.

They used the chronicle to tell Andy to hurry his butt up and decide, because they have deals for starting pitching lined up if he walks.

[Bonomaniac]

my bad. that's what I thought. I honestly wouldn't mind seeing Pettitte walk.  I hate his case of Rogeritis.

[Limey]

Quote:
can you retype that in layman's terms for the less intelligent of us?

You may have to plant many seeds to get one plant.  You wait for it to grow, then you fuck the plant.

[jaklewein]

Quote:
my bad. that's what I thought. I honestly wouldn't mind seeing Pettitte walk.  I hate his case of Rogeritis.

Be careful what you wish for...it might come true.

Regarding alternatives to signing Pettitte...I'm not convinced that there's a better way to improve this team.  If you sign Pettitte, then he's arguably as good as anyone that you could trade for and the only club resource you're having to give up is cash to get him.  On top of that, the signing of Pettitte probably means we get another half season of Clemens...again, cash only.  The only fall out from this might be that we miss out on Huff.  I love Huff, and would like to see the Stros bring him back.  That said, you add Pettitte to our staff...and then a half season of Rajah, and I'm more than excited about this year's team.

[Uncle Charlie]

Quote:
Basically the Astros through the chronicle made it clear if they traded for garland making 10 mil, Andy would be down to the yankees and no one.

They used the chronicle to tell Andy to hurry his butt up and decide, because they have deals for starting pitching lined up if he walks.

For those interested, here's  another story that will show you how the media is used by GMs as a means to another end.

[Lefty]

"Doctors talk to doctors. Trainers talk to trainers. I don?t think there?s room for deceit if you do your homework and if you?re open and honest, and that?s the way we operate.?
Unless you're Jim Bowden & Wayne Krivsky.  "It's in the hands of attorneys," Krivsky said.  The Link

[Bench]

Quote:

Quote:
can you retype that in layman's terms for the less intelligent of us?

You may have to plant many seeds to get one plant.  You wait for it to grow, then you fuck the plant.

Here's another  layperson summary from Jayson Stark:

 

Quote:
Originally, Pettitte wasn't planning to decide whether he'll play next year until Christmas. But he abruptly sent word Wednesday, through agent Randy Hendricks, that he was giving the old thumbs-up to another season or two.
That seemed curious, but innocent enough, until reports surfaced Thursday that his hometown team, the Astros, was working hard to deal for White Sox starter Jon Garland. Even though that trade apparently fell apart by lunch time, it was a clear indication that Houston was busy planning for Life After Andy.

"Obviously," said an official of another team, "if the Astros got Garland, they'd be done with Pettitte. So why else would he move up the timetable? It makes too much sense. If he wants to go back there, he has to let them know now."

If Pettitte loses Houston as an option, indications are that the Yankees would love to pounce, after passing on Zito and Lilly. But the Yankees have been more cautious and patient this winter than ever, with GM Brian Cashman clearly in total control. So they might not be willing to get lured into any bidding derbies with the Astros if the tea leaves point toward Pettitte staying home.

 

Nothing that hasn't already been put together here, but a decent enough summary.

ETA: Didn't hit refresh to see that Arky posted the same thing in a different thread. Yes, Virginia, Cabrera is still a Brave.

[Bench]

And in the same  wrap-up is an update an Huff:

 

Quote:
 Aubrey Huff, the only player out there who can market himself as either a corner infielder or outfielder. Huff's numbers the last five years actually blow away J.D. Drew's. So he is suddenly a major target in Texas, Baltimore, Colorado, Pittsburgh and other places. And he could still wind up back in Houston.
 

[Arky Vaughan]

Makes you wonder if Pettitte, who reportedly was unhappy last season not being in the playoffs for the first time in his career, has considered whether the difference between what the Astros have offered and what he and his agents seem to be angling for would pay a sizeable chunk of Huff's salary.