Astros sign Jeff Kent

Hammer755 · 12-18-2002, 10:38 AM

Local media is breaking the story. This is the best source I could find online.

Sportsradio 610

This is surprising to me, as the local outlets have been reporting that the 'Stros have been in the bargaining all alon, but few of the nationals even mentioned Houston as a potential Kent destination.

Long_Long_Name · 12-18-2002, 11:03 AM

It's just been announced on MLB.com.

Chappy · 12-18-2002, 11:23 AM

So what does this mean for Biggio? Kent at third? Biggio in the OF?

Long_Long_Name · 12-18-2002, 11:27 AM

I'd say Kent at 3B... you sure moving Biggio would be a good move? He's already moved once in his career, isn't that enough?

Hammer755 · 12-18-2002, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Long_Long_Name
I'd say Kent at 3B... you sure moving Biggio would be a good move? He's already moved once in his career, isn't that enough?

It's not that easy of an answer, however. Biggio had a miserable season last year, and at 37 years old, may be an indicator of his actual ability now. That's been a hot topic here, and most people would prefer that Biggio spend some time in the OF, play some 2B to spell Kent and get Kent a few games at 3B or 1B. Going back to last year's numbers, starting 3B Geoff Blum had a better season than Biggio did and some people are advocating keeping him at 3B and sitting/moving Biggio, which is strange considering how popular he is here.

LivnLegend · 12-18-2002, 12:12 PM

Is there a motocycle riding clause in that contract?
I'd like to know how much the contract is worth.

Glad he and his cop moustache are out of the NL West...
I did not want to see him resign with the Giants, because that would be a hell of a good lineup
I did not want to see him sign with my Dodgers, mostly because of the $$$ but also because I think his numbers are a little overrated and his defense at second base is going downhill at a rapid pace.

JWay · 12-18-2002, 12:28 PM

Glad he found a team though

Scott Vibert · 12-18-2002, 12:40 PM

Kent is expected to play 3B. (According to MLB.com and ESPN)

Long_Long_Name · 12-18-2002, 12:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ScottVib
Kent is expected to play 3B. (According to MLB.com and ESPN)

Problem is that MLB.com and ESPN aren't the ones deciding.

Hammer755 · 12-18-2002, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ScottVib
Kent is expected to play 3B. (According to MLB.com and ESPN)

I don't know a whole lot about Kent, but he seems like a person who is very aware of the numbers he puts up - not necessarily selfish, but definitely aware. Kent is putting up numbers with some of the greatest 2B of all-time, and I'm not sure he would be willing to give up his place in history by moving to third. I'm not certain of this, however, as I never heard him complain about playing 1B for the Giants when it was necessary.

jor31 · 12-18-2002, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Long_Long_Name
Problem is that MLB.com and ESPN aren't the ones deciding.

well neither are we.....

fantom1979 · 12-18-2002, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by jor31
well neither are we.....

You never know who is on this forum

holyroller · 12-18-2002, 02:28 PM

Didn't you guys know that I'm Jimy Williams?

Modern Relic · 12-18-2002, 02:45 PM

Oh yeah?!?!? Well, I'm Leo Durocher and................(thud).

CMH · 12-18-2002, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Hammer755
I don't know a whole lot about Kent, but he seems like a person who is very aware of the numbers he puts up - not necessarily selfish, but definitely aware. Kent is putting up numbers with some of the greatest 2B of all-time, and I'm not sure he would be willing to give up his place in history by moving to third. I'm not certain of this, however, as I never heard him complain about playing 1B for the Giants when it was necessary.

funny that you say this b/c I was just about to ask a question about this.

Do you think that Kent could hurt his Hall Of Fame chance by playing third base with the Astros? Or will the HOF Committee take into account that he has already become the first 2B to drive in 100 runs in 6 straight seasons and moved to third base because he signed with another team that already had a HOF 2B?

He could put up similar numbers at 3B for the next 3 years (i'll count the option year, b/c if he's productive why would the Astros let him go?) And he would have close to:

.290 Average, 350 Homeruns, 1300 RBI, .350 OBP for his career.

Considering he played a majority of his career at 2B, I'm sure he could be heavily considered as a HOF.

The only second basemen, off the top of my head, that had better numbers than that is Rogers Hornsby. Checking the stats real quick, Hornsby hit .358, 301 HR, 1584 RBI for his career.

I would consider Kent right around those numbers. I guess you could also take into account that Hornsby was 24 when he exploded and it took Kent till he was 29, playing in pitcher's parks, till he had his offensive explosion.

If Kent has three strong seasons with Houston then he would have 9 straight impressive years, which would be one less than Hornsby.

This could be an interesting debate in about 6 years.

cougar · 12-18-2002, 03:29 PM

According to Kent's press conference, the Astros intend to move Craig Biggio to either LF or CF and let Kent take over 2B. Looks like either Ward or Hidalgo (if moveable) will be out of Houston.

Long_Long_Name · 12-18-2002, 05:02 PM

MLB.com didn't waste any time...

AsTrOFaN · 12-18-2002, 06:08 PM

Yeah, Cougar is correct.

There were some talks earlier about Ward to Pirates for Saurbeck, so maybe something along those lines will happen.

I'm skeptical about dealing Hidalgo, since he still has lots of potential and maybe getting shot will motivate him. If he does, the Astros lineup will be loaded. Middle of the order : Bagwell, Berkman, Kent, Hidalgo

SoxWin · 12-18-2002, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by AsTrOFaN
Yeah, Cougar is correct.

There were some talks earlier about Ward to Pirates for Saurbeck, so maybe something along those lines will happen.

I'm skeptical about dealing Hidalgo, since he still has lots of potential and maybe getting shot will motivate him. If he does, the Astros lineup will be loaded. Middle of the order : Bagwell, Berkman, Kent, Hidalgo

Potential won't make Hidalgo's chronic knee problems better. With the bad knees he can't work out. When he doesn't work out he closely resembles the Good Year blimp.

Blimps can't play baseball.

Rich

holyroller · 12-18-2002, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by SoxWin
Potential won't make Hidalgo's chronic knee problems better. With the bad knees he can't work out. When he doesn't work out he closely resembles the Good Year blimp.

Blimps can't play baseball.

Rich

What about Cecil Fielder?

12-18-2002, 10:38 AM	#1
Hammer755 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 2,348	Astros sign Jeff Kent Local media is breaking the story. This is the best source I could find online. Sportsradio 610 This is surprising to me, as the local outlets have been reporting that the 'Stros have been in the bargaining all alon, but few of the nationals even mentioned Houston as a potential Kent destination.

12-18-2002, 11:03 AM	#2
Long_Long_Name Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Montréal Posts: 7,065	It's just been announced on MLB.com. __________________ Beta Baseball. Join it!

12-18-2002, 11:23 AM	#3
Chappy Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 2,721	So what does this mean for Biggio? Kent at third? Biggio in the OF? __________________ NPBL - Pennsylvania Freedom AFBL - North Carolina Aviators MLB-Pro - Kansas City Royals

12-18-2002, 11:27 AM	#4
Long_Long_Name Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Montréal Posts: 7,065	I'd say Kent at 3B... you sure moving Biggio would be a good move? He's already moved once in his career, isn't that enough? __________________ Beta Baseball. Join it!

12-18-2002, 12:12 PM	#6
LivnLegend Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: 100% pure adrenaline! Posts: 5,624	Is there a motocycle riding clause in that contract? I'd like to know how much the contract is worth. Glad he and his cop moustache are out of the NL West... I did not want to see him resign with the Giants, because that would be a hell of a good lineup I did not want to see him sign with my Dodgers, mostly because of the $$$ but also because I think his numbers are a little overrated and his defense at second base is going downhill at a rapid pace. __________________ Excess ain't rebellion. You're drinking what they're selling.

12-18-2002, 12:28 PM	#7
JWay Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Sioux Falls, SD Posts: 5,031	Glad he found a team though

12-18-2002, 12:40 PM	#8
Scott Vibert Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: My Computer Posts: 8,249	Kent is expected to play 3B. (According to MLB.com and ESPN)

12-18-2002, 02:28 PM	#13
holyroller Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: OTBL Forums Posts: 3,532	Didn't you guys know that I'm Jimy Williams? __________________ Back to work, but not drawing a paycheck. TonyJ et. al.'s alias “I confused it with the chicken’s neck,” Mocanu, who was admitted to the emergency hospital in Galati, was quoted as saying. “I cut it ... and the dog rushed and ate it.”

12-18-2002, 02:45 PM	#14
Modern Relic All Star Starter Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 1,266	Oh yeah?!?!? Well, I'm Leo Durocher and................(thud). __________________ American Folklore Baseball League (closed): Commissioner/GM - Mudville Nine (ruled!) Former member of Boys of Summer: GM - St. Louis Browns (doormats!) Former member of the OTBL: GM - Gashouse Gorillas (also ruled!) "People ask me what I do in winter when there's no baseball. I'll tell you what I do. I stare out the window and wait for spring." Rogers Hornsby

12-18-2002, 03:29 PM	#16
cougar Bat Boy Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: TEXAS Posts: 9	According to Kent's press conference, the Astros intend to move Craig Biggio to either LF or CF and let Kent take over 2B. Looks like either Ward or Hidalgo (if moveable) will be out of Houston.

12-18-2002, 05:02 PM	#17
Long_Long_Name Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Montréal Posts: 7,065	MLB.com didn't waste any time... __________________ Beta Baseball. Join it!

12-18-2002, 06:08 PM	#18
AsTrOFaN Major Leagues Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 334	Yeah, Cougar is correct. There were some talks earlier about Ward to Pirates for Saurbeck, so maybe something along those lines will happen. I'm skeptical about dealing Hidalgo, since he still has lots of potential and maybe getting shot will motivate him. If he does, the Astros lineup will be loaded. Middle of the order : Bagwell, Berkman, Kent, Hidalgo