Bagwell - What Can the 'Stros Do?

[TexasTerror]

Jeff Bagwell is of no benefit to the Astros. His shoulder problem seems to be getting worse and he's due another cortisone shot here in the next few weeks. He's never missed as much time as he has for shoulder problems before and the Astros are just perplexed on what to do with him. They don't want to put him on the DL, but what other choices are there? Berkman played first last night. Vizcaino and Lamb can also play first, but do they really want someone who is "on" one day and "off" the next, able to to contribute to the roster?

He has two options in my opinion...

a) Retire. Go out with some dignity never wearing anything but a Houston Astros jersey. Astros could retire his jersey later in the year or next year and he'll be HOF material without a doubt. Regardless of what he does, his jersey will go up to Wynn, Ryan, Scott, Cruz, etc.

b) Be traded. He can go play in the American League as a DH. The wear and tear of playing defensively at 1B is not prolonging his career. Perhaps he could go to his team growing up, the Boston Red Sox. The Astros would benefit as I am sure they could score some prospects, which are going to be needed as the Astros rebuild these next few years, especially since guys like Scott, Taveras, Burke, Astascio and such are going to be bouncing up and down between Round Rock and Houston.

[blueballs]

TT, you've made some good points. Bagwell's basically taking up space right now and it is sad to see such a gamer circling the drain in this way. If it were me I'd disable him and see if he was able to strengthen the joint, if not he's gotta be confronted about retirement.

The Astros management has to do something. Lamb needs to be playing 1B as he's a fine stick but he's lost in the OF. Berkman needs to be in the OF as it is his best position, not 1B. If he can't handle an outfield position he shouldn't be playing.

Bagwell's a borderline HOF candidate, kinda in the Dale Murphy class. I wouldn't vote for him unless he clears the 500 HR hurdle, which seems unlikely at this point.

There are a few certain HOF's in MLB right now- Bonds, Clemens, Maddux, Johnson, Palmeiro, Sosa, Piazza, Griffey along with managers LaRussa, Cox, Torre.

There is a second tier who are having potential HOF careers but need a little more: Jeter, Sheffield, Thome, Manny Ramirez, Glavine, A-Rod, Chipper Jones, Pudge, Smoltz, Bagwell, Biggio, Mariano Rivera, Musssina, Schilling, Pedro, Pettitte.

Then there's a younger tier to watch: Pujols, Andruw Jones, Johan Santana, Hudson, Edmonds, Hunter, Beltre, Jason Schmidt, Gagne, Ichiro, Vlad, etc.

I'm sure I left some deserving guys out but this is off the top of my head...

[LacesOut]

Good points. But if I'm a MLB team, I don't give up any prospects for him and that damaged shoulder in a trade. No way.

[TexasTerror]

Bagwell has been placed on the disabled list and the Astros have purchased the contract of infielder Todd Self from Class AAA Round Rock.

[blackfordpu]

I hope he retires in an Astros uniform. He has been playing for them ever since I can remember. I even have his rookie card. Great player but time does take its toll and eventually they all have to retire (Henderson is fighting this fac).

It would be a terrible slap in the face of Houston and the Astros if he goes to play somewhere else.