Editor’s note – This article originally appeared on AstrosConnection.com.
In a single afternoon of telemarketing, Gerry Hunsicker went from none to Hun, acquiring Pedro Astacio and Mike Williams for Scott Elarton (and a PTBNL) and Tony “McKnight train to New Orleans” in separate deals.
It’s not without regret that Elarton is shipped off, but whether it happened maliciously or ignorantly, he looks for all the world to be damaged goods. It’s important to remember that 3 years ago, he (along with Richard Hidalgo) was Toronto’s asking price for Roger Clemens. Now he’s not enough to get Pedro Astacio because after winning 17 games last year, Elarton has been revolting (he stunk on ice) for the entire 2001 campaign.
So now, the Astros get the second-best available pitcher in Astacio (Rick Reed is number one but who outside of the circle-jerk that runs the Mets knew he was available). For you win now fans, this is called “commitment to winning” (at least until someone tells Uncle Draytie about the $9.5 million “team option”… then not keeping him will be called “fiscal responsibility.”) To his credit Astacio has been very good in his Enron appearances and sadly a 4.something ERA qualifies as a solid starter in 2001. At the very least, he’ll rate lights-out compared against the Mlicki Standard of Bad Pitching (nee Lima of Demarcation) that currently starts every five days in the mud-n-blood.
Perhaps a smaller but more significant move is the acquisition of Williams to bolster the bullpen for the stretch-run. The Astros gave up a pitcher, who despite his 5-1 record in the bigs, didn’t figure at all into Houston’s plans. (Houston’s plans seem to be something like can you hit a homer or throw a fastball? What do you mean, other baseball skills?) Nelson Cruz and Octavio Dotel are more tender than a 13-year old girl on an after-school special, Mike Jackson has shown signs of wearing down a little and (can’t believe I’m saying this) Ron Villone can’t put out all the fires. (I feel dirty.) Williams brings a live arm and closer mentality to his new set-up role in Houston. Just pray it’s not Billy Wagner’s non-save mentality.
The Stros have accomplished a couple of things with these moves. Most importantly, they dealt players that didn’t fit into their plans anymore (for whatever reason) for players who can help them this year. It looks like they’re finally getting back to using the resources available to them. Secondly, management has sent a message to the team that they expect them to win. They managed to do this without shipping off any of Jeff Bagwell’s SuperFriends, either, which is a positive. They also shut up the moron-a-thon that is talk radio in Houston, at least until Astacio or Williams gets rung-up later this week.
All in all, after weeks of a lack of visible inactivity, The Hun waited out Dan O’Dowd and the chair that serves as the GM in Pittsburgh and got the right price for two solid pieces. And in my humble opinion, it’s about time.
Astro of the Week
Have you ever found your boss coked off of his ass 5 minutes before he had to give a huge presentation? All of a sudden you have to walk in front of the VPs and explain why your department all got bonuses despite the companies pending bankruptcy. That’s just a taste of what Tony McKnight went through Saturday in Pittsburgh. He pitched so well, he bought himself a major league job.
DisAstro of the Week
I rarely like to share attention, but I’m sure neither Billy Wagner nor Mike Jackson mind deflecting some of the mind-numbingly awesome heat that DisAstro of the week carries with it. For those of you in a cave over the past week, the Gas Can returned to put a bow on the 7 run gift that Jackson started to deliver Saturday. Sometimes being historical isn’t a good thing. Especially if it means that Jayson Stark is going to have to do research.