Why do the Astros feel the need to pick up Dead Arms?

Question

First they trade to get Randy Wolf, who can help them secure 4th place in the Central division, and now they picked up LaTroy Hawkins from the Yanks..This team i think is heading in the wrong direction with their staff---young not old is the way to rebuild

Thoughts??

Answer 1

Agreed.

Hi, Lifelong Astros fan here...  tired of seeing them pick up the old dudes.  It's been proven over and over that a good farm system is THE way to breed excellence in a team... and I CAN'T understand why they won't invest in what POTENTIALLY could be a PHENOMINAL farm here in Texas!!  What's the deal??  Ryan owns/works with Round Rock, holy c**p!  Besides that, they have a legion of ex players/coaches who like the organization enough to stick around and continue to coach... so they HAVE the staff, but they aren't putting the MONEY into it!  They are looking for some kind of quick fix band-aid instead of a long term remedy to the problem.  (feels like the US Governement to me!).  They need to realize that they can't trade into a World Series in '09... but they can WORK INTO one by 2014!!!  

I think there is just a lack of reality in that clubhouse.  It's going to take little names to play with the bigboys...  not old, worn out names.  Hawkins?  My god.  yeah, lets get some more guys up in here from the Yankees anyway... they have shows what upstanding guys they are all around (Mitchell Report) so we should DEFINATELY have more of them around! (sarcasm).  McLane needs his head out of his butt, needs his scouts at COLLEGES and his staff working on PITCHING and smart base running.  If we are going to pay for bats, at least we can get em running smart.  I know that Pence is seen as some kind of saviour around here, but I think that's because he's a kid and the town KNOWS we need some young'uns to save the team... he NEEDS to learn baserunning, cos man...  he makes a lot more rookie mistakes than I'd like to see from "the savior".  

Answer 2

i was wondering the same thing

what if those players they gave up for these useless extras end up being even a remotely good player

what difference do wolf and hawkins make to a team 10 games out

Answer 3

it is a good point...a few years ago remember they signed woody williams? lol that worked out well...  they dont seem to have (or at least i havent heard of any) strong pitching prospects or the will to trade a bat or two for some marquis pitchers