Great news for the Astros... and Rosenthal specifically points out that Lee has some mutual interest as well. Woo! http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/5900788 Lee retains original agent Katz Ken Rosenthal / FOXSports.com Rangers left fielder Carlos Lee is staying with his original agent after all. Lee, who had been in the process of switching from Adam Katz to Scott Boras, told the Rangers on Wednesday that he is remaining with Katz, FOXSports.com has learned. "We were informed earlier today that Adam is representing Carlos," Rangers general managers Jon Daniels said late Wednesday night. When reached in Los Angeles, Katz confirmed that he will continue to represent Lee, who is eligible to become a free agent at the end of the season. Lee, 30, apparently decided to switch to Boras last weekend in Detroit, perhaps on the advice of his friend, Tigers right fielder Magglio Ordonez. But in staying with Katz, he is remaining with his representative of the past eight years. Lee's latest shift likely will have little effect on the Rangers' quest to re-sign him; club officials, in acquiring Lee from the Brewers on July 29, understood that the player would command a significant long-term contract regardless of who represented him. The news, however, could be a welcome development for the Astros, who are expected to make a strong push for Lee if he becomes a free agent. Lee, who owns a 100-acre ranch outside of Houston, is believed to be seriously interested in the Astros. The Astros' relations with Boras were damaged when one of his clients, center fielder Carlos Beltran, left the Astros for the Mets after the 2004 season. The Astros might have been less inclined to pursue Lee if he were represented by Boras. Boras, however, told FOXSports.com on Wednesday afternoon that he maintains a dialogue with Astros owner Drayton McLane. The agent also has a history of repairing strained relationships, and his clients are spread among all 30 clubs. The Orioles, Cubs, Cardinals and Giants are among the other clubs expected to show interest in Lee. Boras could not be reached for comment late Wednesday night.
very good news. i've heard froma couple of different media sources that carlos lee wants to be an astro.
I hope the Astros somehow got word to Carlos Lee that if Boras becomes his agent they will not negotiate with him. That would be sweet revenge. Yes, he may have got more money with Beltran by signing him with NY, but he burnt bridges with the Astros that cost him another high dollar client. FU Boras.
It's quite possible that Adam Katz explained the situation to him. Good news. I'm not 100% sold that Lee is a good long-term-big-$ option, depends on the contract I suppose, but the more fish in the pool the better.
please let us sign lee. please, please, please. cf - taveras 2b - burke/biggio 1b - berkman lf - lee rf -scott 3b - huff ss - everett c - ausmus/house oswalt pettite backe nieve hirsh w/ clemens coming back mid season
Great, great news! by the way, does anyone believe Boras for an instant when he says he's in touch with Drayton?
This is great news ... this makes it feel more and more like we have a real good shot at getting Lee. When I heard he was signing with Boras, I thought Lee was just taken off the table for the Astros and rightly so, but with him retaining Katz, I think we have a good shot. Man would it be nice to have Berkman and Lee penciled in for the 3-4 spots for the next 5 years.
Boras represents so many of the big names, it would be bad for business if Drayton totally broke off communications with him.
Drayton (and Boras) are smart businessmen - they know not to let personal feelings interfere. The Astros had supposed problems with Clemens' agent after the '98 fiasco - ultimately, its all about smart business and they'll get over it. The Astros would be idiots to not consider any Boras clients, and Boras would be an idiot to lose a negotiating partner.
Lee would have a late 90's Moises Alou-type impact on the Astros lineup. A hitter who's not young (but not old), not tremendously speedy (but now some overweight catcher), hits for decent average, decent power, and drives in runs (although he'll never lead the league in any of those categories), and one that plays solid/unspectacular defense. The Astros will definitely offer him a fair deal... if the Rangers blow it out of the water, let them go ahead... we'll need to get our pitching in order before we spend it all on hitting anyways.
It's also good business to let other agents know if you **** us over you will ruin relationships that can cost you clients.
Yes, very very good news, indeed. Would you guys still rather have Lee over Soriano? I really don't care , just as long as we get ONE of them at least. But BT did a little comparing of Lee & Soriano last night, & Soriano's stats are SICK! Even compared to Lee. Taking in SB's, speed, & all that. They also said that Milwaukee gave up on him because maybe they think he doesn't wanna play the outfield anymore & wants to DH exclusively? Get at least ONE, Drayton fer Christ's sake!
This team won't be worth anything next year if they can't re-sign Pettite/Clemens (or at least get capable pitching replacements). You can have a lineup of all all-stars... it won't matter.
i think lee will go for less money than soriano. adding him to huff (needs to be resigned), berkman and scott makes for a very solid line-up on paper. if taveras has indeed settled in, i think: taveras scott berkman lee huff biggio represent tough outs among your top 6. if you can in anyway upgrade C or SS, then you move biggio to 7, but this is the type of line-up that could absorb two weak hitters on a nightly basis.
Geez, "uncle" already! Did 15 people need to call me out in one thread? Yes, it would be bad business for Drayton and Boras to cut off relations, but his quote made it sound like they were freaking buddy-buddy now. I had, however, forgotten that he reps Taveras, so the lines of contact must be open. Good point on that one.
Taveras's agent would not necessarily need to contact the Astros about anything at all, and vice-versa. He's totally under club control (arb eligible after next season) and there's no negotiation whatsoever involved in his contracts.
