Inasmuch as Roger Clemens still has not let the Stros know whether he is going to play next season, the Stros have been twiddling their thumbs so far this off-season considering silly notions such as re-signing Brad Ausmus rather than going out and competing for a couple of free agent hitters that the club really needs.
However, it helps me to remain optimistic about the Stros’ management when I read that former Stros closer Billy Wagner has just taken the Mets to the cleaners for $43 million over the next three years with an option for a fourth season that could push the total compensation over $50 million. Now, don’t get me wrong. Wagner is a very good closer and a lefty to boot. However, $50 million over four years for a 34 year old pitcher who had season-ending arm problems as recently as the season before last? Although Wagner’s runs saved against average (“RSAA,” explained here) was a very good 26 last season, he has had RCAA’s of 10, 13 and 15 in three of the past five seasons. That’s decent production, but not $12.50 – $14.3 million per year-type of production. The Stros will likely sign the more effective Brad Lidge for an annual salary probably around a third of what the Mets are paying Wagner.
With Jeff Bagwell’s deal, the Stros are closing the book on their final long-term, overpriced contract. Inasmuch as those contracts limit the flexibility of a mid-market club such as the Stros to make the type of “tweaking” acquisitions necessary to remain competitive, I am glad that Stros management is not overbidding for high-priced stars (remember Carlos Beltran?). Nevertheless, the Stros need to be careful at overpaying — albeit at a far lesser rate — unproductive players such as Ausmus. Throw a couple of million at Ausmus, plus another million or so at an equally unproductive player such as Vizcaino, and — after awhile — you’re talking about some real money.