Astros Sign Jason Michaels

by Charlie Wilmoth on Dec 15, 2008 3:34 PM EST

For one year and $750,000 plus incentives, which suggests that either Michaels wasn't particularly interested in coming back or, more likely, the Pirates really didn't want him back. Which makes sense. For all his timely hitting, Michaels has almost nothing left: he hit .224/.292/.360 and has been declining pretty steadily since 2005, when he was 29. The Pirates don't need him. And neither do the Astros, now that I think of it, although that's never stopped them from pursuing declining veterans.

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Odd to see how far and fast JMich fell the last few years, especially considering his age. I’m not quite sure why Ed Wade would bring him to Houston yet let a much more talented veteran like Ty Wigginton walk. I guess it’s just the difference in salary.

Speaking of Wigginton, ESPN.com has the Pirates among the teams interested in picking him up. The only way this makes any sense to me is if Huntington thinks he can get Wigginton cheap, put him at 3rd for a couple months until Andy LaRoche is ready, then trade Wigginton for some prospects.

by sabrcore on Dec 15, 2008 4:14 PM EST reply actions

There’s also the fact that Michaels played for him in Philly.

by Charlie Wilmoth on Dec 15, 2008 5:10 PM EST up reply actions

Andy LaRoche may NEVER be ready!

by thegunner on Dec 15, 2008 7:38 PM EST up reply actions

Wiggy =/= 3B

I will be shocked – shocked! – if they aren’t looking at Wiggy primarily as a RF, rather than a 3B. He’s got basically the same career batting line as Nady (who was also a 3B once, remember), so if he’s not too expensive he’d be decent filler in an OF corner, while providing a backup plan in case Li’l LaRoche craters in the first two or three months.

Michaels has a reputation as a serious drinker, so I’m not surprised to see his career tail off early. It doesn’t just kill brain cells.

by Vlad on Dec 16, 2008 9:21 AM EST up reply actions

I have no respect

for people who drink and aren’t serious about it.

by bucdaddy on Dec 16, 2008 9:50 AM EST up reply actions

As long as he’s by himself when he drinks alone.

by WTM on Dec 16, 2008 9:53 AM EST up reply actions

I'll always

remember Michaels for capping off that amazing comeback this past season in what might have been my favorite game I’ve ever seen us play. I might have had a heart attack that night.

North Side Notch

by northsidenotch on Dec 15, 2008 4:17 PM EST reply actions

Agreed

though I only “saw” the game on gameday (why I sat through it all, I still don’t know).

The Utah Jazz

by UtesFan89 on Dec 15, 2008 4:26 PM EST up reply actions

yeah

There must have not been anything else on that day or something. I just remember watching it on mlb.tv and discussing it on the game thread here with the few of us who were still watching.

North Side Notch

by northsidenotch on Dec 15, 2008 4:47 PM EST up reply actions

Yep.

Ah, the memories…

The Utah Jazz

by UtesFan89 on Dec 15, 2008 4:51 PM EST up reply actions

That was one of the handful of games this year I got to watch on a really nice TV. I was pretty bummed by the middle of it. The ending really snuck up on me. It was just one homer, then another, and suddenly the Pirates were on the cusp of winning it.

by Charlie Wilmoth on Dec 15, 2008 5:11 PM EST up reply actions

Yeah, I remember getting frustrated and giving up on that game halfway through. Then thankfully somebody informed me I should probably turn it back on after Nate’s homer.

by EmmaOMG on Dec 16, 2008 8:19 AM EST up reply actions