"Now a word about Carlos Lee. When he didn't show up for Thursday's workout, it spoke volumes about how much he cares about the Astros.

His alibi was that he couldn't find a pilot for his jet. Don't you hate when that happens?

Listen, Lee is what he is. He was the same player with the same attitude in Chicago, Milwaukee and Texas. He wore out his welcome with the White Sox in part because Ozzie Guillen thought he sometimes had a casual approach.

Lee is a very nice man, a gentleman, and he never promised to be Charlie Hustle. The Astros were the ones who decided he was worth $100 million.

That kind of money ought to get you five tools. Lee has just two. He can hit and hit with power. Until this year. Now he looks like a guy in the twilight of his career.

To give a player a nine-figure contract, an organization has to be absolutely certain about his desire, work ethic and skills. If the Astros didn't understand that Lee occasionally had a laid-back attitude, shame on them."