This was the first arb case for the Astros since Darryl Kile beat them in 1997. I really wasn’t surprised that the Astros won this one because Valverde had only one really outstanding year, let alone one year as a closer and that was last year.
Also, Valverde is a stranger to the Organization and will be traded sometime in the next 2 years, or let go as a FA. They don’t particularly care about his feelings toward the Organization, as they would, say, Hunter Pence, and they don’t worry that Valverde would dog it or sulk because it would seriously affect his future salaries, even if they aren’t with the Astros.
Loretta’s arb case is on Monday, and I would bet they will have a tougher time winning that one, as they only want to give him a small raise after his performance last year. However, he’s asking for almost twice his last year’s salary, so it is gonna be interesting. If I was a betting woman, I’d give the Astros a 60:40 advantage simply because Tal Smith made himself a very good living helping owners win arb cases.
Still no word on whether or not the Astros will sign Shawn Chacon who will, if he is signed (best I can tell) replace Chris Sampson on the 25 man. Poor Chris – it’s not like he’d be replaced by a better pitcher, just a more expensive one. If Chacon gets signed, I’ll go from there.
You want to know how the puppies are doing, don’t you? Glad you asked. Since we won’t be keeping any of em and it seemed, well, cold to just call them 1,2,3,4 and 5, I thought it would be good to name them after the Astros who left the team. So we have Adam Pup E Dog, Bradley Pup E Dog, Chris Pup E Dog, Morgan Pup E Dog and Luke Dog E Dog. And however did yall guess that Mr. NO MORE DOGS!!! is gonna be doing more than a few feedings tonight???
Tags: Houston Astros, MLB
Loretta’s agent made a good point: that Loretta made 3.5 million w/ incentives and not 2.5 million, as the team insists. This might make him more expensive than he ought to be, given the rules limiting the reduction of a player’s salary in arbitration. I think they mishandled it.
Loretta played way too much last season and I can’t fathom why he’s back. I can only figure that the Astros are infatuated w/ Loretta b/c of the player he used to be. He gets on base some, but is a goodfielder no position. Garner was obsessed w/ him and he ate up AB at first base on occassion; b/c of a perceived platoon advantage which did not exist.
Valverde is good, but the astros wanted b/c his last name isn’t Lidge. They lost that trade. Giving up the very good Qualls, throwing away Burke (he’ll outhit Matsui- who won’t?), and giving up a decent arm.
well,
loretta is back because matsui has never played more than 114 games in a season. and because what if tejada gets indicted or something or can’t do diddly spit without his roids – and you can’t just call up tommy manzella – he’s too young.
poor brad lidge. but i thnk it was time for him to catch on somewhere else and i wish the guy the best. and throwing away qualls and burke – what can i say you ain’t already heard?
but honestly, like who was gonna close?
Your puppies are more interesting to talk about than the Astros… by far.
[...] Astros defeated Valverde in arbitration, but have to wait a couple days to hear the decision for Mark Loretta’s [...]