Astros to burn at least two million dollars in giant bonfire

by JI on Dec 1, 2008 2:04 PM PST

Rosenthal:

Hampton has agreed to a one-year, $2 million contract with the chance to earn another $2 million in appearance-based incentives, according to a major-league source.

The deal, which was first reported by FOX 26 Sports in Houston, is contingent on Hampton passing a physical — no small consideration, given that Hampton pitched only 78 innings last season after missing all of 2006 and '07 due to injuries.
Hampton missed the first four months of last season with Atlanta, then went 3-4 with a 4.85 ERA, demonstrating that he was healthy enough to warrant a new deal.

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Oh Captain Mike Hampton

I thought he was the often broken down pitching machine that required you to feed money into it to work.

Fans are typically idiots.

by The Typical Idiot Fan on Dec 1, 2008 2:10 PM PST reply actions

BEEP BOOP BEEP BOOP

GAME OVER

WINNERS DON’T USE DRUGS

by Nick S on Dec 1, 2008 3:22 PM PST up reply actions

Might as well.

They don’t exactly have anything in the way of a farm system that will be helping them out any time soon.

"Ever tried? Ever failed? No matter. Try again. Fail again. Fail better." - Samuel Beckett http://mvn.com/marinersminors/

by JY on Dec 1, 2008 2:46 PM PST reply actions

I thought this was going to be about LaTroy Hawkins

I don’t have a problem with this deal, although to be fair I didn’t catch any of his starts this past year so maybe he has gone the way of Mark Redman

Don't believe the lies Bill!!!! look at the sparkly ERA!!! Sparkly, Sparkly!!! - McCovey Chronicles

by Trenchtown on Dec 1, 2008 2:48 PM PST reply actions

You could get someone just as bad for free.

Furcal

by JI on Dec 1, 2008 2:49 PM PST up reply actions

I don't know, I really like this deal. You get a good pitcher who was just bogged by bad luck.

Sincerely,

Mike Hampton.

In all seriousness though, he’s probably a better hitter than JR Towles.

Can't wait for Ruskell to knock this one out of the park.

by abender20 on Dec 1, 2008 2:59 PM PST reply actions

Towles obviously didn't look great at the plate, but his BABIP was .152. He might be OK.

But yeah, it should be fun to see Hampton pull a few into the Crawford Boxes.

by Teej on Dec 1, 2008 3:04 PM PST up reply actions

Favor the Bold

by IcebreakerX on Dec 1, 2008 3:49 PM PST reply actions

Looks like unicef has gotten into the MLB biz.

by Fin on Dec 1, 2008 6:05 PM PST reply actions

How does Mike Hampton get a major league deal

Maybe I can get a major league deal

Determined, Jonesing Commentor | Proud proprietor of Washingtonhighways.org

by Corco on Dec 1, 2008 6:17 PM PST reply actions

Can I be your agent?

I like using semi-colons; they make me feel smart.

by Llewdor on Dec 2, 2008 3:56 PM PST up reply actions

Eh, there's a good chance Hampton wont play much,

or will play and suck, but at 1 yr/$2 mil, it’s not like they’re taking a huge gamble. I dont think this is terrible. Maybe I’m just evaluating this signing with my Bavasi-goggles on, and thinking: “whew, saved the M’s from offering him 4yrs/$30mil.”

by FlaskInSafeco on Dec 1, 2008 8:43 PM PST reply actions