Bernardo Fallas has a report from Roy (don't miss Alyson Footer's video of the interview). Roy:
“I don't want people to think I'm leaving because we're not doing well. I have a small window (to return to the playoffs)...I've got two years left. In those two years, I'm trying to get back to the playoffs. I haven't been there since '05.”
One thing to note is his wording: "I don't want people to think I'm leaving because..." Not, "I don't want people to think I should/want/need to leave because..." This is a done deal.
Some further quotes:
"Some report came out saying I came in griping about a trade. I just kind of asked about my options, what they were taking as far as which direction they're going. Are they going to plan to get young or get more [veteran] players or what direction are they going? They didn't really have an answer for what they were going to do right now, and I thought if they were going to try to get young -- they have the option on my side that if they want to use a player to get younger players -- that I would be available to do that."
On the difference between 2010 and 2005:
"There's a different stance, I guess you would say, in the organization. Now, we're close to that record and the stance isn't the same as it was in '05. It's not like I'm not happy here. This is the only place I know. They gave me a chance to play since '97, and I've always wanted to finish here. I wanted to win, too. If we go into Spring Training and not willing to win the whole thing, there's no sense in playing."
One more:
"I've read a few reports where someone said I had a bad attitude in the clubhouse, which is the most furthest thing [from the truth] I've ever seen in my life. It's pretty much just made-up comments from a person [who doesn't] really know a lot about it. I knew that once it broke, it would get more attention than anything else I've done in the big leagues. That's part of it. The biggest thing I've seen here and there is the fans are behind me. That's my main concern. I don't want the people here in Houston to think anything less than trying to do what's best for the organization."
I'm guessing he means Richard Justice.
But also note this: If Roy's reasoning is playoff-based, it absolutely is because the Astros aren't doing well. If Roy is talking about his playoff window, the Astros' performance has everything to do with this. This quote implies that if the Astros were winning and contending, Roy would be asking for a trade, anywyay. And if that's the case, he just doesn't like being here. No, way. Just pick a reason, Roy.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
