The Crawfish Boxes

Still confused

I guess the issue is whether or not he can play in Spring Training and the Astros can still collect on the insurance.  When I first heard about the deadline for this insurance claim filing, I figured it was a no brainer.  File the claim and see if he can or cannot play.  Our butts are covered either way.  As Bagwell himself says, it's no surprise to anybody that there is doubt in the organization as to whether or not he can play.  Jeff himself has serious doubts.

Now if the organization is trying to get him to say he can't play without getting his shot, that's another issue altogether.  I guess if the language of the policy strictly stipulates that it is void if he plays in Spring Training, then there's an impass.

I really don't believe for a second that he's going to be able to play.  Somehow, I think he does though, and I think most people agree that he should get an opportunity to test it out.  Hopefully something can be worked out so that everybody gets what they want.  He gets his opportunity, and when he can't go, assuming he can't go, we get $15.6 million to put towards making the team better.  I guess for once I'm hoping for the lawyers to be able to find a fine print loophole.  How much do you want to bet the insurance company doctors say he's got a shot at a miracle comeback?

littlevisigoth - January 24, 2006 reply

Wednesday the 25th

Bagwell now says that "...it probably will never be fixed between me and the Astros," and  that "it all comes down to the same fact -- it's a business. And when you think it's not a business, you're reminded it's a business."

While I certainly would love to see Jeff Bagwell hit a home run for the Astros in a regular season game again, and while I rue the lack of grace the Astros are showing here, nothing pisses me off so much as to hear an extremely well-paid athlete lament that "it's a business {sniff}".

Bagwell defers enough money to build a skyscraper in contracts of great complexity, and he's just realizing NOW that it's a business?  
He's earned 46 million dollars just since our esteemed president took office, and he's just now figured that out?

There are better ways to plead your case to a sympathetic public, Mr. Bagwell.

Speaking of complex contracts, who was it that agreed to a January 31st deadline on this insurance policy anyway?  I mean, unless it was something that was discussed in order to reduce premiums, the Astros had to know that in any dispute--whether it was between the club and the insurance company, or between the club and Bagwell--such an early date would hamstring all involved.

And it has.  Obviously, the deadline date for filing a claim should have been March 31. By agreeing to a date that had so little functional worth, the Astros have at the very least cost themselves some goodwill, and perhaps much more.

rastronomicals - January 25, 2006 reply

well...

comparing Bagwell to Hernandez and Berkman isn't really appropriate.  Hernandez may similarly be a longshot to be a contributor to the Astros, but it's not like it's going to cost us much.  The fact that Hernandez is playing right now in Venezuala means that they are currently evaluating him and have a decent idea about what to expect.  I'm not sure how private Bagwell's rehab is, if Purpura gets to watch him try to throw that weighted ball or not, but my understanding is that Bagwell's potential to be a contributor is either much more a mistery or more clearly doubtful.

Berkman on the other hand had a very common procedure done, with a history of well documented success.  I don't think there was any doubt with the Astros and staff that he would be able to return and perform at a very high level.  And this recent procedure, as I understand it, is very minor, also with a history of well documented success.

littlevisigoth - January 26, 2006 reply

few scenarios

Let's assume Bagwell is allowed to come to ST.  Let's say what most of us thinks will happen happens, and he just can't field his position.  Simply warming up the infielders between innings turns into a laughable display.  The pain is too great, and he yields to the fact that he will not be able to be an everyday 1B.  What then?  What is the media perspective when the Astros have $17 million tied up in a player who can't play.  How long are his good guy reputation and his sympathetic sound bites going to last?  Do they occupy a roster spot with him sitting on the bench?  Does he sit on the DL all year?  I figured he'd be untradeable, although picking up his salary and letting him be deadweight on an AL team, while maybe getting something, anything in return maybe does actually make sense.

But what happens if he struggles his way through ST without deciding that he can't play anymore?  What if he turns into a defensive liability 1B that can't hit for power anymore?  What will the media perspective be when he's a third of the way into the season without a home run, batting below his career average, filling up "not top 10" reels with one-hops to second base or home?  All the while, just as in the previous scenario, soaking up $17,000,000 worth of budget?  Who wants to hear Bagwell get booed?  There's enough people who regularly attend MMP who aren't longtime devotees to Mr. Bagwell.

Just playing devil's advocate here, but I think the chances of Bags coming out of this thing looking like the hero that everybody wants him to be are about as slim as the Astros coming out looking like the good guys.

Now what if the Astros collect on their insurance and can afford to lure Clemens back and/or make a midseason acquisition that propels them back into the postseason?  What will the fans think of all this then?

littlevisigoth - January 26, 2006 reply

06 and Bagwell

I have stated here before that Bagwell doesn't owe anyone anything. Drayton also owes the best team he can afford to the fans. He has to file in the best intrest of the team. This situation is a one in a million. Bagwell has to be checked out by the insurance doctors and the situation will work itself out in the next two weeks.

Let's assume that the Astros get most of that money in a hypothetical. Where does it go. If Roger comes back then his salary is totaly covered by that, but Drayton had other money allocated for him to begin with(reason no push for Giles or 11mill pitcher). So he has still saved that 15.6 m.

There are a few options the team has. The short term answer is that they have just saved that money this year and the payroll could be elevated 5-6 mill over the next three years. In my opinion that extra money will be spent on pitching.

And not new pitching. I think it almost certainly pays for new contracts of two of these three. Andy, Roy, or Lidge will be with us in 07 and beyond. Since I also believe this is Lidge's last year with us I think it goes to extending Roy and Andy.

Or maybe It just puts the team back on keel since the players that we have now and the last two years will be getting paid for the next two years in defered payments.

Let's just hope the team keeps winning and the stands stay full so we can afford to keep all our great players.

Shamus - January 27, 2006 reply