Jeff Kent signs with Astros

[Guest oldschoolwrestling]

NEW YORK -- Former NL MVP Jeff Kent reached a preliminary agreement Wednesday on a two-year contract with the Houston Astros, a deal contingent on him passing a physical.

 

There was no immediate announcement by the Astros, but the deal was confirmed by a lawyer familiar with the talks who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Houston scheduled an afternoon news conference to announce it.

 

San Francisco had prepared for Kent's departure by signing Ray Durham and Edgardo Alfonzo. Kent had until Thursday to accept the Giants' offer of salary arbitration.

 

Kent, a second baseman, will apparetly be shifted to third base with Craig Biggio set at second for the Astros.

 

He is a .289 career hitter with 253 homers and 1,009 RBI in 11 seasons.

 

 

AP NEWS

The Associated Press News Service

 

Copyright 2002, The Associated Press, All Rights Reserved

[Guest the pinjockey]

I guess uber-prospect Morgan Ensberg is out of the plans now.

[EL DANDY~! 0]

CRAP!

 

All Giants fans...go ahead and cry...I know I am...

[Guest alkeiper]

Well this certainly came out of the blue.

[Guest Bosstones Fan]

It doesn't matter much, really. The money they used to sign Kent will force them to withdraw from any other potential free agency sweepstakes, unless they can somehow manage to unload the albatross known as Richard Hidalgo and his $11 million per salary.

 

Kent helps shore up the power portion of their lineup (Berkman, Kent, Bagwell IS pretty intimidating), but they still have nobody to set the table in front of them, nor do they have anyone behind them that can consistently hit better than .235. They'll need every run Kent brings home, however, because outside of Wade Miller & Roy Oswalt, their pitching can be considered "below average."

 

And pinjockey, despite what the pasted article here says, Kent is going to play second base, with Biggio moving to the outfield. So Ensberg could still be in the plans, though I don't really know why they'd want him to be, considering how bad he sucked when he was up with the big club this last year. At least moving Biggio to the outfield will allow them put Daryle Ward's fat ass on the bench, where he belongs.

 

None of it matters, however. The Astros still aren't good enough to hang with St. Louis, so all their efforts will be for naught.

[Guest alkeiper]

They'll need every run Kent brings home, however, because outside of Wade Miller & Roy Oswalt, their pitching can be considered "below average."

 

To be fair, the Astros farm system is loaded with pitching talent.

[Guest the pinjockey]

Don't they have another big outfield prospect named Lane or something.

 

And I wouldn't say their pitching is going to be bad with Carlos Hernandez showing potential along with Tim Redding.

[Guest Bosstones Fan]

To be fair, the Astros farm system is loaded with pitching talent.

Not really anymore. What talent they did have, they've either had to call up (Miller, Oswalt, Hernandez) or have let go through trades or waivers (i.e. Wayne Franklin).

 

Kirk Saarloos was the best of the bunch they had left, and he's not projected to be all that terrific.

[Guest Bosstones Fan]

Don't they have another big outfield prospect named Lane or something.

 

And I wouldn't say their pitching is going to be bad with Carlos Hernandez showing potential along with Tim Redding.

Jason Lane is supposed to be a big-time prospect, but they don't really have a place for him right now. Plus, he's still considered to be a year or so away from being a bona fide major leaguer.

 

As for Hernandez: there are serious questions about whether Carlos Hernandez will ever fully heal from his arm injuries. He's had two major surgeries in two years (elbow, then shoulder, I believe) and supposedly some withing the club wonder if he'll ever be 100% again.

 

And Redding is far, far too inconsistent to be a force in the major leagues. He might improve with time and experience (at least the Astros are hoping he will), but so far it isn't too promising. The trouble with Redding is that the organization feels he's accomplished all he can in the minor leagues, but that he also isn't quite ready for the big leagues. A paradox, to be sure.

 

Incidentally, one (or both) of those guys were supposed to be shipped to Colorado for Jay Payton. But that's out the window now, with the Kent signing.

[Guest DrTom]

The reports I read today said that Biggio would move to the outfield and Kent would take over as the second baseman. This opens up third base for Ensberg, though either Biggio or Kent could shift over there if he's not ready to cut it coming out of spring training next year.

[Guest Bosstones Fan]

The reports I read today said that Biggio would move to the outfield and Kent would take over as the second baseman. This opens up third base for Ensberg, though either Biggio or Kent could shift over there if he's not ready to cut it coming out of spring training next year.

I figure it's Ensberg's job to lose, but I wouldn't be at all surprised if the Astros continue with the Geoff Blum/Jose Vizcaino platoon they used with only decent results this past year. Kent could switch over to there, but it would surprise me.

 

Of course, this is all dependent on how willing Biggio is to move to the outfield. In the past (in the Larry Dierker days), Biggio was known to be something of shit-disturber in the clubhouse, especially when he felt that he wasn't being treated fairly. Reportedly, it was he and a couple of other prominent players (*coughBagwell,Ausmuscough*) that got Dierker forced out, so it'll be interesting to see what will happen if he isn't all that thrilled with the idea of being shuffled to the outfield. Time will tell.

[Guest Vern Gagne]

None of it matters, however. The Astros still aren't good enough to hang with St. Louis, so all their efforts will be for naught.

I disagree. If Oswalt and Miller can stay healthy, and they can get have another starter step up and become a solid #3. starter than they can contend. Biggio, and Bagwell have to bounce back from down years. I think Bagwell will, and hopefully the Astros not giving Biggio a new deal will light a fire under him.

 

What's important to the Astros is getting off to a good start. They where killed by the dredful start.

[Guest geniusMoment]

Why does everyone think St. louis will be so good. Their rotation goes Morris, Williams, Tomko, Simontacci, and to be decided. I live in Cincy and trust me tomko sucks. Simontacci is was a rookie who struggled the last half of last year and I don't think he will be all that good. Williams is 36 with injury problems and because of his elbow won't be able to go over 6 innings a game. Morris was very hittable last year, the reds killed him, but still is a good ace. In my opinion if Morris gets injured their season is over. I don't care how good their offense is. By the way Rolen is way overrated his stats are comprable to Aaron Boones.

[Guest geniusMoment]

Lucky for the Astros and Cardinals they get to play Milwaukee, Pittsburgh, Cincy, and the Cubs a lot because they are in their division. This won't help them in the divisional race because they both get to play them but will help them in the wild card race. While the mets play Atlanta and Philly and while the dodgers play San Fran and Arizona they get to play Cincy.

[Guest alkeiper]

Why does everyone think St. louis will be so good.

 

They won 95, 93 and 97 games the last 3 years, and most of their team is still around.

 

I don't care how good their offense is. By the way Rolen is way overrated his stats are comprable to Aaron Boones.

 

Huh? Rolen and Boone aren't in the same ballpark.

[Guest Bosstones Fan]

I disagree. If Oswalt and Miller can stay healthy, and they can get have another starter step up and become a solid #3. starter than they can contend. Biggio, and Bagwell have to bounce back from down years. I think Bagwell will, and hopefully the Astros not giving Biggio a new deal will light a fire under him.

The Astros are (most likely) the second-best team in the Central, and they'll probably be in the race for most of the year. I just can't help but think that their pitching, particularly the bullpen, is going to end up being their Achilles heel somewhere along the way. They have done nothing to address their lack of pitching depth, with the exception of signing Jesus Sanchez to a minor league contract and inviting him to camp. But does that really matter?

 

 

Biggio is D-O-N-E as a truly effective everyday player. All the years of busting his ass at 150%, while admirable, have left him with little in the tank. The writing is on the wall, and I think both he and the club know it. In fact, the rumor in the Houston Chronicle today is that he may not even be a offered a contract at the end of 2003, unless he is willing to play for a very minimal salary (which he won't).

[Guest alkeiper]

Biggio is D-O-N-E as a truly effective everyday player. All the years of busting his ass at 150%, while admirable, have left him with little in the tank. The writing is on the wall, and I think both he and the club know it.

 

I don't think the effort hurt him. It's just the aging process setting in.

 

Anyone think Biggio's a hall of famer? I think he's godd a decent case going for him.

[Guest alkeiper]

Biggio is D-O-N-E as a truly effective everyday player. All the years of busting his ass at 150%, while admirable, have left him with little in the tank. The writing is on the wall, and I think both he and the club know it.

 

I don't think the effort hurt him. It's just the aging process setting in.

 

Anyone think Biggio's a hall of famer? I think he's godd a decent case going for him.

[Guest geniusMoment]

Whoever said Boones and Rolens stats aren't similar needs to go back and check their stats. This year boone hit 26 home runs stole 32 bases and had a great fielding percentage. His average rose throughout the year after he started off struggling. While a couple of years ago Rolen was outhitting Boone, now boone has come on while Rolen has faded.

[Guest geniusMoment]

rolen has

31 hr

8 stolen bases

110 RBI

89 Runs

boone has

26 hr

32 stolen bases

87 RBI

83 Runs

While Rolen had better numbers you have to admit they are pretty similar. Plus Boones continue to rise while Rolens have fallen off.

[Guest alkeiper]

While Rolen had better numbers you have to admit they are pretty similar.

 

OBP Slg

Rolen .357 .503

Boone .314 .439

 

That's what I'm talking about.

 

Plus Boones continue to rise while Rolens have fallen off.

 

Aaron Boone OBP Slg

 

2001 .351 .483

2002 .314 .439

 

Boone's numbers fell sharply last year. His rise in home runs is caused solely by an increase in playing time.

[Guest geniusMoment]

Boone got off to a very slow start which is why his OBP went down. I am not arguing that Boone is better than Rolen, I am arguing that Boone and Rolen are in the same ballpark in terms of numbers, and that Rolen is way over priced when you compare him to the market now.

[Guest geniusMoment]

Also the cardinals came on at the end of last year but I still feel their pitching is suspect. With Morris, Williams, Tomko, Simontacci, and unknown I just don't see them being as dominate as everyone else does. Simontacci really faded last year and is unproven. Tomko has always been up and down in his career, and always chokes in big games. Williams is 36 and has a history of arm trouble. Morris is the ace, and a good pitcher, but was hittable last year, maybe because of Kile. In my opinion if Morris becomes injured Houston should easily win the division.

[Guest alkeiper]

Good argument, though Houston has their own pitching worries, especially with Shane Reynolds. The Cards have several other possibilities, such as minor league stand-out Jimmy Journell, Rick Ankiel, and Chris Carpenter. Walt Jocketty has a knack for finding pitchers. Hopefully the upcoming season will be interesting at least.

[Guest Vern Gagne]

Anyone think Biggio's a hall of famer? I think he's godd a decent case going for him.

Tough call. If he's done at 2B on a full time basis than it's up in the air. Considering is reputation has a hard worker, I think eventually he'll make it.

[Guest So what? I liked bubble boy]

NO! NO! NO! The Giants need to stick together.