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1.31.2003
Biggio's extension I've already commented on what I think the Astros should have done with Craig Biggio, so you should be able to guess I'm not going to like this move much. The extension breaks down like this (according to espn.com): $3 million guaranteed in 2004, a $3 million team option for 2005 with a $1 million buyout, plus performance incentives that could be worth up to $1.5 million each year of the deal. The incentives aren't insignificant, as they're playing time related - he'll receive $250,000 for at each of 450, 500, 550, 600, 650 and 700 plate appearances. If he stinks, he's certainly not going to reach 700 plate appearances...but I'd be surprised (assuming he's healthy) if he didn't get to the first few of those and earn himself another million bucks. After all, he pretty much stunk last season, but that didn't stop the Astros from sending him to the dish 655 times. This certainly could've been worse. Biggio could probably have really stuck the Astros, who clearly didn't want to take the PR hit they would have had they refused his wish for an extension, by asking for something more along the lines of what he's currently making. But it's important to remember that he's already making $8 million for 2003. This guarantees that the team's going to be paying (at the bare minimum) $12 million for Biggio's services over the next two seasons. Can he still play at a level that would make him worth $6 million a year? Doesn't look like it, based on his 2002 performance. Can he handle center field defensively? We have no idea. This is simply the kind of risk that a team like the Astros...a team with a lot of talent but a limited budget...shouldn't be taking. Drayton McLane's resources would be far better served by going out next offseason and signing an established centerfielder for this $4 million, which would have bought you quite a lot in this year's free agent market. "This was a tough situation for everyone," Astros general manager Gerry Hunsicker said. "The main factor for Craig was that he was being asked to move to a new position in the last year of his contract. We had empathy for that and we wanted to show what he has meant to the Astros over the years." (ripped from the espn.com article linked at the top of this entry) It's one thing to honor guys who have done great work for your team and city, and Biggio has certainly done that. Nobody'll ever wear number 7 in Houston again, and that's just as it should be. But when your sensibilities are overridden by emotional attachment, that's a problem. We'll have to see just how badly this works out for the Astros. - |