New owners for the Astros (draft, lose, games, MLB) - - City-Data Forum

Oildog · 05-16-2011, 01:24 PM

Ultimate Astros » Prominent Houstonians part of group to buy Astros

Oildog · 05-17-2011, 02:37 PM

He's got no where to go but up with the current group.

11th blown save in 16 attempts today.

Mathguy · 05-17-2011, 03:00 PM

Not a good investment in my opinion. Baseball is in real financial difficulty and you can see a lot of owners looking to sell part or all of the teams.

Jezer · 05-17-2011, 03:02 PM

Houston deserves far better than what the Astros have produced in the past few years.

For the fourth largest city in the US there's not a great deal to hope for on the sporting front.

(From an ex resident of Houston.)

Mathguy · 05-18-2011, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jezer

Houston deserves far better than what the Astros have produced in the past few years.

For the fourth largest city in the US there's not a great deal to hope for on the sporting front.

(From an ex resident of Houston.)

So should they go bankrupt buying more players?
Seems to me that a lot of the more financially savy owners are "headed for the exits" as people expect huge payroll winning teams that are only viable in certain situations.

Here in KC they just keep selling the hope that they will be able to have some sort of "perfect storm" of developing talent and be able to have a strong year. Most years though they just lose 100 games.

Thier fan base is anchored by older people that grew up with the good years in the 80's when George Brett made $3mil a year and was the highest paid.

Nobody likes to hear it but MLB has a serious financial issue on their hands and it's telling that the guys with the most inside knowledge seem to be getting out to some extent or another and are selling their positions to guys that seem to be investing out of their love for the game and the community. I'm waiting for some serious serious player\owner strife in the next 5 years.

Oildog · 05-18-2011, 09:57 AM

Mathguy...I think your right. Pro sports has been teetering on the edge of out-pricing its fan base for years. TV money is where they get $$$ from. Now that corporations are being hit, they dont pony up for season tix as much. Thats what teams need...

Mathguy · 05-18-2011, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oildog

Mathguy...I think your right. Pro sports has been teetering on the edge of out-pricing its fan base for years. TV money is where they get $$$ from. Now that corporations are being hit, they dont pony up for season tix as much. Thats what teams need...

Yeah, the thing saving baseball right now is the supply of 50-60+ moguls that grew up LOVING baseball and are leveraging connections and personal fortunes to indulge a very expensive hobby.

Without that influx of money I think there would have to be some tough conversations with the players over salaries....hampered by the fact that a few teams CAN afford the massive payrolls and like the uneven playing field so you do not have owner solidarity.

In complete fairness MLB is not alone, the NBA and even NFL to a lesser extent are facing economic issues. However, it seems MLB is in a little tougher situation. (I think the NBA global outreach has helped them increase revenues better outside the US as well as their "sorta-cap" or they'd likely be in even worse shape.

case44 · 05-21-2011, 11:15 AM

As long as Mr Crane doesn't do anything stupid to tear down the franchise or even set it back, I'm all for it. Drayton McLane had a great run as owner, but it's time for a change. The incoming ownership has to evaluate the current team structure and it will be interesting to see what decisions he makes as time progresses. The real focus right now should be on player development and I hope Crane takes a good look at it.

Mathguy · 05-21-2011, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by case44

As long as Mr Crane doesn't do anything stupid to tear down the franchise or even set it back, I'm all for it. Drayton McLane had a great run as owner, but it's time for a change. The incoming ownership has to evaluate the current team structure and it will be interesting to see what decisions he makes as time progresses. The real focus right now should be on player development and I hope Crane takes a good look at it.

Yeah. But WHY did he sell?

My guess is they are losing their shirt and he is bailing while the new owner is going to slash payroll. Welcome to the world of the KC Royals.

case44 · 05-22-2011, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mathguy

Yeah. But WHY did he sell?

My guess is they are losing their shirt and he is bailing while the new owner is going to slash payroll. Welcome to the world of the KC Royals.

Let's not get too far ahead here. Houston is not going to be another Kansas City. They've had good drafts and are rebuilding the farm system nicely, but a number of prospects are still a few years away. Hopefully, Crane will see that. The Astros can ill afford to sign any high-priced free agents or make risky trades, and they can't do it at the expense of an up-and-coming minor league system.