Ryan Vogelsong says he ‘wasn’t comfortable’ during Astros visit
Veteran right-hander Ryan Vogelsong was reportedly near an agreement with the Houston Astros at a couple different points this week, even flying to Houston to take a physical, which is often the final step in finalizing a contract. However, he abruptly and somewhat surprisingly reversed course to re-sign with the San Francisco Giants on Friday, which left many wondering what may or may not have happened in Houston to change Vogelsong’s mind.
We didn’t have to wait long to receive some indication. During a conference call on Friday re-introducing him as a Giant, Vogelsong was asked about his free agency experience and made it pretty clear that something about his visit to Houston made him uncomfortable, but wouldn’t elaborate much beyond that point.
Well, I’m assuming you’re talking about Houston right? I made a visit to Houston and met with A.J. Hinch the manager and the staff, the training staff, and I took a physical — just as the process went along here, really wasn’t comfortable with what was going on. Ultimately, made a decision to come back with the Giants and I’m really just really happy to be back and glad things worked out the way they have.
Vogelsong later added:
You know how things are in life sometimes. You just have weird inclinations about things and things show themselves to you in weird ways and that’s kind of the way it was here. Like I said before, I made a trip to Houston but ultimately it just wasn’t comfortable and I wasn’t comfortable there. It’s crazy: as soon as I re-engaged with the Giants, it was like a big weight was lifted off my shoulders, and that was where I was supposed to be, and it kind of hit the ground running from there. Like I said, it’s just kind of weird how things work themselves out.
Some are speculating that Vogelsong used the Astros for leverage. Others have suggested he simply got cold feet and wanted to pitch somewhere he’s familiar with, even if it means moving to the bullpen. Others still are pointing at Houston’s poor handling of negotiations with past draft picks Brady Aiken and Jacob Nix as proof that they simply can’t close a deal, though that seems like a reach given the dfferent circumstances.
Without any further details, it’s impossible to determine if any of those have merit. But we can confidently say this is weird, with the potential to get weirder, it would seem.
Come on, Vogey! We live in a need to know world and this is a need to know now business. Can’t you at least give us a hint?
Apparently not, but his agent Dave Meier went ahead and added to the confusion by suggesting it was nothing the Astros did that steered his client away.
Well, we give up trying to figure this one out. But rest assured, when Vogelsong is ready to talk, we’ll be ready to listen.
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Mark Townsend is a writer for Big League Stew on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at [email protected] or follow him on Twitter! Follow @Townie813
