ESPN790: "If Brad Ausmus is not back [next year], I'm retiring" - Clemens

pgabs --

i'm thinking the frustration that you're seeing is coming largely from posts yesterday morning, after the Astros fell a whopping 1.5 games back, which said that the season was over. that the astros were out of it. etc. stuff like that.

 

Actually, that's not it (that should make pgabriel happy...a disagreement between us). That's coming from frustration from people who think that a lack of a deal means a lack of trying. Call me when a big bat is moved and I'll be the first to criticize if it's warranted.

 

i hate you now.

 

The lovefest....is....dead.

 

i ate at Sam's today for lunch

go 'stros!!!

 

He doesn't get paid to try. He gets paid to get things done. Hunsicker got it done. Purpura hasn't gotten us any help in any area of need for this team. When your top three starters are collectively having one of the best seasons in history and you still have a chance to get into the playoffs despite an anemic offense, you've got to get something done. Even if it's just bullpen help or bench depth. Something!

 

So, basically make a deal just to make a deal? Hunsicker was paid to make a trade in 2003. He didn't do it. With our 20/20 hindsight we can see why that was a good move. Purpura's in the same situation, IMO.

 

Tell me...who resigned Clemens this offseason??? Hunsicker or Purpura???

 

But players aren't moving, so how is he supposed to get it done? He agreed on a trade that would have added another solid starter, and an upgrade in the OF (Moyer and Winn), but Moyer refused to come. You can't get things done, when there isn't anything out there.

 

Neither of us really know what players were out there and what the asking price was but it is pretty obvious to people, even players on the team, that we needed some help. I don't have his direct quote but Purpura a while back was talking about not disrupting the chemistry of the team. What in the heck is this guy thinking is my question. That type of comment doesn't indicate to me that he's doing everything he can to get us some help. Just my opinion of course.

 

Please point out a post where any said we couldn't use another bat. He was on the air today saying he was trying his hardest to get another bat and inferred that it was Griffey he was trying to obtain.

 

It's not hard to offer salary arbitration and then split the difference. Do you really think Clemens came back because Purpura was just so persuasive?

Who blew off Kent this offseason? Who got worked over by Beltran's goon this offseason?

 

I didn't mention that. Only that Purpura is paid to get results, not whine about how hard he's trying.

 

You may be right. We'll see how Purpura performs into next season.

 

How is it whining when he's asked a question and answers it?

 

Of course, the same players you say it was "obvious" to that we needed help also said that they loved the chemistry of the team and didn't want to make any changes.

 

Do you really think Purpura hasn't been able to make a trade because he's such a terrible GM? It's real convenient for you to overlook his successes as "not hard" and to point out the losses of All-Stars as reasons for our slump. All I ask is just have fun with the team we have. Besides, F*** Beltran!

 

That he answers a question doesn't mean he's not whining. You can answer a question any number of ways. To me, it sounded like he was whining.

 

That's not necessarily true. The players within the clubhouse, who scoffed at the chemistry comments, were never made public. They were mentioned in a Chron editorial but not by name. Plus, Bags and Bidge are the only players who really have any pull on trades any way.

 

It is possible that he is a terrible GM. We don't know yet. Seriously though, how is Clemens his success? All he did was offer salary arbitration. If anything, it was Drayton's success in luring him here. Great job Drayton!