Wednesday, December 19, 2001
Bagwell impressed by Cardinal upgrades
Associated Press
HOUSTON -- Houston Astros first baseman Jeff Bagwell looks
at the moves the other top teams in the NL Central are making in
the offseason and is concerned at what he perceives as inactivity
by his club.
"Everybody has gotten better," the four-time All-Star first
baseman said. "We haven't gotten better. Pittsburgh hasn't gotten
better. Milwaukee hasn't gotten better.
"We've maybe taken a little step backwards."
St. Louis, which lost the division title to the Astros on a
tiebreaker last season, has signed Tino Martinez, who hit .280 with
34 home runs and 113 RBI last season with the Yankees, to replace
power-hitting Mark McGwire and added free agent closer Jason Isringhausen, who was with Oakland last season. The Cubs have agreed to a deal with Moises Alou, most recently
with Houston.
The Astros, meanwhile, have focused on role players, signing
free agent outfielder Brian Hunter and catcher Gregg Zaun and
resigning Doug Brocail, a relief pitcher who missed all of last
season with an injury, infielder Jose Vizcaino and outfielder
Orlando Merced.
Besides cutting ties with Alou, the Astros earlier announced
their plans not to resign third baseman Vinny Castilla.
"We haven't made any moves, really, to get better," Bagwell,
33, who made $6.5 million last season and will earn $11 million in
2002, told the Houston Chronicle in Wednesday's editions. "We lost
two guys (Alou and Castilla) with (190) RBI. That's a lot to
replace.
"The Cardinals are going to be tough and it would be a huge
lift for the Cubs to add Mo," Bagwell added. "They're (the
Cardinals) obviously the best team on paper. Does that say we can't
win? No. But that's tough to combat."
Houston intends to have Daryle Ward replace Alou in the outfield
and will go to spring training with Chris Truby and rookie Morgan Ensberg competing for the third-base job. They still have to sign
closer Billy Wagner.
"I certainly expect our division will be very competitive once
again, possibly the most competitive in the NL," Astros general
manager Gerry Hunsicker said.
"The Cardinals will be a very tough opponent, and when you
think they tied us for number of wins last year and add Tino
Martinez, they certainly strengthened themselves. (St. Louis) will
be a formidable opponent. We have our work cut out for us."
Astros general manager Gerry Hunsicker acknowledges the
Cardinals will be tough with their additions and the division
overall to be the most competitive in the National League, but
doesn't share Bagwell's concerns.
The only question marks involve pitching, with Brocail is coming
off elbow surgery and rookie Carlos Hernandez is recovering from a
torn rotator cuff, he said. He's made a $20 million, three-year
offer to Wagner, who is eligible for arbitration and can become a
free agent after next season.
"That's really the only cloud hanging over the club,"
Hunsicker said of the pitching situation. "I feel very comfortable
with this club. It's a better-balanced club than last year."
