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Purpura Making Questionable Choices Posted by Michael Beller at 12/13/2006 11:06:00 AM View more posts by this author

Why would the Astros let Andy Pettitte walk away over a mere $2 million and then trade Jason Hirsh, their best pitching prospect, along with Taylor Buchholz and Willy Taveras for Jason Jennings? They could have signed Pettitte to a two-year contract, and by time the 2009 season rolled around, Hirsh would be ready to assume the #2 role behind Roy Oswalt. Now, they'll have to negotiate an extension with Jennings, and they gave up on three quality, young, homegrown players. Jennings is a Baylor product, so that may appease some fans, but Hirsh is a 6'8'' right-hander who went 13-2 with a 2.10 ERA and 118 strikeouts at Triple-A Round Rock last season. Oppenents hit just .193 against him. Seems to me they should have shelled out $14 million a year for two years to Pettitte and let Hirsh take over in two years instead of letting Pettitte go and trading for Jennings.

Comments....

As a Jennings owner, is he better off in Minute Maid or in Coors? Normally this would be awsome for his fantasy value, but then Coors wasn't Coors last year thanks to the humidor (reportedly). Posted by schoenke at 12/13/2006 11:14:00 AM

No doubt Michael, and you know Jennings is going to use Gil Meche's contract as a barometer to what he'll expect to get for an extension. Realistically, Jennings could get 5/60 while Hirsh could be as good or even better for close to the league minimum. Buchholz and Taveras to me are spare parts, as Taveras' OBP isn't yet leadoff quality, but COL did need a centerfielder to bridge the gap to Dexter Fowler, and Taveras should be fine there. I'd also question the money they gave to Carlos Lee, but at least that deal makes some sense considering their need for support for Berkman. Posted by vtadave at 12/13/2006 11:20:00 AM

The Lee signing was cited when they feared "overspending" by re-signing Pettitte. Beller's right on here, this one looks pretty bad. Posted by dvr9484 at 12/15/2006 10:21:00 AM

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