Pettitte to Astros, N.Y. Close on Brown

AP, via New York Post ^ | 12.11.2003 | Ronald Blum

[NYC GOP Chick]

NEW YORK (AP) -- Andy Pettitte chose home over history, agreeing Thursday to sign with the Houston Astros and leave the New York Yankees.

New York wasted little time in trying to land a replacement, closing in on a trade with Los Angeles that would send Kevin Brown to the Yankees for Jeff Weaver in a swap of starters, a baseball official said on the condition of anonymity.

[nutmeg]

Sorry to hear about Andy Pettitte leaving the Yanks... He was one of my favorites.

[Senator Pardek]

And Then There Were Three -

Jeter
Williams
Rivera

[cars for sale]

5 superbowls...I really need to proofread more

[F16Fighter]

"That Ricky Henderson signing was a bute last season."

What are the Dodgers thinkin'?? Who next? I expect to see Fernando and Burt Hooton rounding out the staff in '04.

There is NO Major League team who consistantly adds past-prime, over-the-hill "stars" to their roster like the Dodgers. The Mets are a close second, though...

[gipper81]

Richie Sexson

2003 season

AVE: .272
OBP: .379
SLG: .548


Jason Giambi

2003 season

AVE: .250
OBP: .412
SLG: .527


I'm surprised that Richie didn't fall asleep in by the 3rd inning playing for the Brewers. What was Jason's problem?

[gipper81]

The DBacks just signed Jesse Orosco to a minor league contract! Oh yeah!

[F16Fighter]

"The DBacks just signed Jesse Orosco to a minor league contract! Oh yeah!"

NO??!! LOL!

[Tall_Texan]

There's your mistake. The D-backs brought up a lot of kids when Schilling, Johnson, et al were out and they were outstanding. Some of them left in the Sexson deal but Webb and Good were both solid starting pitchers, Cintron could be as good as Nomar, Kata was a solid infielder, etc. Moeller and Overbay were good too although they are now Brewers. They had some young arms in the bullpen too who looked impressive although I can't remember their names.

I found myself wishing I were a D-back fan because they are going to enjoy the heck out of watching those kids develop. Who knew they had that sort of talent sitting in the minors while trotting out tired old vets like Matt Williams and Tony Womack?

The minute the D-backs want to package any of those kids, send them our way. The kids are alright.

[gipper81]

José Valverde (closer/setup) and Oscar Villarreal (setup) are the guys we will never trade to anyone.

BTW, all those guys we sent to the Brewers were major hitting headaches for us last season. They were given every chance to get a clutch hit and never came close.

[F16Fighter]

The stats are fairly comparable...

And Giambi performed no where near even those stats during the last month of the season through the playoffs...

Earlier in the year he had eye problems; he was hit a couple of times on the hand; then finally he supposedly couldn't push off his knee and attack the ball. This coming year will say a lot about Giambi.

Sexton? The guy had a statistically great year. Don't know how he'll perform in the clutch. Quite frankly, I think he'll have only slightly less snooze time at AZ, where I can't see his new team going any further than the Brewers would have.

[F16Fighter]

Think the D-backs actually have a shot at the playoffs?

[gipper81]

Sexson isn't the second coming of anyone. All he has to do is drive in 100+ a season and he will be 20x better than the dead wood we got rid of.

The Brewers think, wow...we got all these players. The DBacks were GRATEFUL somebody accepted them. I would have helped pack Counsel's bags if I got a phone call.

[Az Joe]

The "Baby 'Backs" as we call 'em.

And they have more coming. The farm system is good and they scout the Mexican league pretty well.

[NYC GOP Chick]

Well, look at the bright side: The Kevin Brown Era is about to begin! Woo hoo hoo!

[F16Fighter]

"I would have helped pack Counsel's bags if I got a phone call."

If Counsel's got nothing left, count on the Dodgers to sign 'em ;-)

[F16Fighter]

"And Then There Were Three -

Jeter Williams

Rivera"

What's that -- about 400 million in salary? And then Cashman and Steinbrenner cheap-out by $10m with Pettitte?

We shoulda had Brown and Pettitte by now.

[Tall_Texan]

Personally, I think it's only a matter of time before somebody finds the holes in Sexton's strike zone. Somebody that big has too much plate to protect. I expect he'll be a high-strikeout hitter all his career.

[Tall_Texan]

Think the D-backs actually have a shot at the playoffs?

It depends on how well the Giants retool but I think it can happen. They really need another hitter or two but then the Giants have been doing it with Barry Bonds and a bunch of mirrors for the past four years.

[Hannity4prez]

Add to that the Hairston kid. I have been told that he is a Jeff Kent clone offensively and unfortunately defensively. I believe they will give him this year to straighten out his defense or a move to the hot corner/ outfield is likely. But he rakes.....

[Hannity4prez]

No disrespect intended good freeper, but you underestimate the value of a Counsel ten fold. He is the type who takes a team to the next level. He won't give you 30-100 year in year out, but he will do whatever it takes. He is welcome on my team any time. Don't forget he has TWO rings. Have a good night.