Qualls and Burke dealt

[pravata]

In addition, the D-backs will send closer Jose Valverde to the Astros in exchange for infielder Chris Burke and reliever Chad Qualls.
http://houston.astros.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071214&content_id=2326595&vkey=news_hou&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou

Wiki says
When José enters into the game, the song "Big Poppa" by Notorious B.I.G. is played

[pravata]

He is under the Diamondbacks' control for another two seasons, in which he is eligible for salary arbitration.

His 2008 value, based on comparable players, figures to be somewhere in the $5 million range. He made $2 million this year.

Valverde will be eligible for free agency after 2009.
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/sports/articles/1129dbacksnb1129.html

[mihoba]

MLB.com says Juan Gutierrez was also in the package.

[Matt]

Nice trade.

[Burzmali]

So does Sampson have a spot in the rotation as of now?

Roy/Wandy/Backe/Woody/Sampson?

[Twoniner]

  Roy pitches 8 strong and hands the ball to Valverde.   Every 5th game this team will be a monster.    You guys figure out the other 4.

[DVauthrin]

outstanding trade.

[hostros7]

Nice to get a closer but who sets up now?  Had my fingers crossed the stros could get a closer and keep qualls.  Guess the club didn't have much else left to offer.

[Matt]

Astros.com doesn't mention Gutierrez.

[Randy Watson]

Astros.com doesn't mention Gutierrez.

Yes it does

[hostros7]

Hate to see Gutierrez go.  If the astros weren't dead last in farm systems before this week, they sure as shit are now.

[DVauthrin]

Nice to get a closer but who sets up now?  Had my fingers crossed the stros could get a closer and keep qualls.  Guess the club didn't have much else left to offer.

either sign affeldt, dotel or wickman, or brocail/villareal.

Now bring on a starter or two who can give us 200 innings of 4 era or so baseball.

[Burzmali]

Hate to see Gutierrez go.  If the astros weren't dead last in farm systems before this week, they sure as shit are now.

They were going to have to replenish the farm anyway by hopefully having a series of good drafts and actually signing players. Hanging onto a bunch of marginal major league prospects isn't really better than moving them and getting back starting players.

[Bench]

Hate to see Gutierrez go.  If the astros weren't dead last in farm systems before this week, they sure as shit are now.

That's certainly true. The first blush of just Burke and Qualls made me pretty happy.

So after Paulino and Estrada, who's left that has a realistic shot at helping out the big club next season?

[Reuben]

either sign affeldt, dotel or wickman, or brocail/villareal.

Now bring on a starter or two who can give us 200 innings of 4 era or so baseball.

several fingers crossed for Mark Prior (both being signed and actually playing).

Great to have Valverde, especially if he's actually under control through 2009- it says he's played five seasons though (?).

[Bench]

So why did Arizona make the deal? They just landed Haren, had a great shut-down pen last year. Valverde's not making a whole lot in salary. What's the motivation to downgrade from Valverde to Qualls just to add Burke?

[CarolinaStro]

5 for 1 and now a 4 for 1.  At least, we have alot of flexibility with the 40 man...On the bad side, someone from the TZ probably has a shot to make our minor league top ten. 08 or bust

[Bench]

5 for 1 and now a 4 for 1.  At least, we have alot of flexibility with the 40 man...On the bad side, someone from the TZ probably has a shot to make our minor league top ten. 08 or bust

Isn't it a 6 for 1 (counting AE) and a 3 for 1?

ETA: And as far as 40 man flexibility, the Astros can take a shot at any starting pitcher gamble that they want to. Also, I'd like to see a better power option off the bench added.

[CarolinaStro]

Isn't it a 6 for 1 (counting AE) and a 3 for 1?

yea, i apparently don't count well.  must be all the excitement

[GreatBagwellsBeard]

Who's taking the 8th inning now?  Nieve?

[CarolinaStro]

Who's taking the 8th inning now?  Nieve?

After reading the lastest PTR, maybe they can lure Juan Agosto out of retirement...he was always fun

[Bench]

Who's taking the 8th inning now?  Nieve?

Maybe WadeSmith thinks reuniting Villarreal and Valverde will rekindle their 2003 magic.

[CarolinaStro]

Maybe WadeSmith thinks reuniting Villarreal and Valverde will rekindle their 2003 magic.

the killer V's?

[matadorph]

In the words of a TZ great...

Ho. Lee. Shit.

This is one helluva offseason. Go WadeSmith go.

[Bench]

So, in the last few months: Qualls, Wheeler, Lidge gone. Biggio, Everett, Ensberg, Lamb, Lane, Burke, Scott gone. Two of the org's top 5 pitching prospects, gone. Am I missing anyone?

That is one hell of a roster turnover. I am very intersted to see how the new team plays together. April can't come soon enough.

[CarolinaStro]

So, in the last few months: Qualls, Wheeler, Lidge gone. Biggio, Everett, Ensberg, Lamb, Lane, Burke, Scott gone. Two of the org's top 5 pitching prospects, gone. Am I missing anyone?

That is one hell of a roster turnover. I am very intersted to see how the new team plays together. April can't come soon enough.

Bruntlett, Anderson but point made.  Wade would seem to be out of trading chips but obviously will be scouring the remaining FA market to fill out the pitching staff...

[Dowell]

I would absolutely love to see them take a chance on Prior.

[Reuben]

So, in the last few months: Qualls, Wheeler, Lidge gone. Biggio, Everett, Ensberg, Lamb, Lane, Burke, Scott gone. Two of the org's top 5 pitching prospects, gone. Am I missing anyone?

That is one hell of a roster turnover. I am very intersted to see how the new team plays together. April can't come soon enough.

Albers. And Costanzo (we hardly knew ye)

[Amy]

Sigh...  This team will be hard to root for.  Valverde's antics on the field are beyond obnoxious.

[dirty steve]

Sigh...  This team will be hard to root for.  Valverde's antics on the field are beyond obnoxious.

you did cheer for lima right?

[Matt]

Sigh...  This team will be hard to root for.  Valverde's antics on the field are beyond obnoxious.

I'm sure it'll be pretty easy if they're winning games.

[Amy]

you did cheer for lima right?

I missed that episode in Astros history since I moved to Virginia prior to his arrival.  Rather than follow the Orioles, I took a leave of absence from baseball fandom.

[ybbodeus]

My favorite point of irony is the whole Justice Pallilo nonsense that they fed the Houston radio crowd last summer about how our farm system was totally a bust because of the "ineptitude" and "ineffectiveness" of Purpura, but now that the club has moved a few of them, it's, "What the hell are they doing?"  Okay, Dick isn't saying that so much, but PalliloMonsters sure were two days ago.  Coincidentally, that's when I stopped listening to those shows....again.  Have they cheered up about all of this?  Will they be crestfallen about Peepers, as Lance certainly is, or will they fall in line?  

This, too, shall remain irrelevant.

[Dobro]

I missed that episode in Astros history since I moved to Virginia prior to his arrival.  Rather than follow the Orioles, I took a leave of absence from baseball fandom.

Virginia didn't have TV's, radio, or the internet back then?

[Reuben]

Sigh...  This team will be hard to root for.  Valverde's antics on the field are beyond obnoxious.

At least he's not K-Rod.

[dirty steve]

I missed that episode in Astros history since I moved to Virginia prior to his arrival.  Rather than follow the Orioles, I took a leave of absence from baseball fandom.

i understand.  i was stationed in savannah in the late 1990's but was able to somewhat keep up with the astros.  having your regional network be TBS is pretty shitty.

[otterjb]

Sigh...  This team will be hard to root for.  Valverde's antics on the field are beyond obnoxious.

That deserves a WFW.

It's gettin' mighty interesting in Astroland.

[matadorph]

Am I the only one slightly concerned about team chemistry?

Winning cures everything, but what happens if this squad gets off to another poor start? How will the newbies respond?

[S.P. Rodriguez]

Maybe they saw the slow starts as a chemistry issue.  Who knows at this point.  This is starting to look like a house cleaning.... 

[Dobro]

  This is starting to look like a house cleaning.... 

It was long overdue.  Purpura kept a messy house.

[matadorph]

  Purpura kept a messy house.

And Ed Wade is a pyromaniac.

[Wild Dog]

Am I the only one slightly concerned about team chemistry

No you're not.  It's obvious that Wade is pissing on all the trees surrounding the Astros camp.  I'll take a wait and see approach to this off season.  You have to give him credit, he's definately shooting for all the marbles in 2008.  I just hope he doesn't go down in history as another Spec Richardson.

[Randy Watson]

After reading the lastest PTR, maybe they can lure Juan Agosto out of retirement...he was always fun

I'd rather have the X Man back.

[legs_of_eggs]

So the Phillies trade Bourne, Costanzo and Geary for Lidge. We trade Qualls, Burke, and Gutierrez for Valverde. Basically the same package value but the Astros getting the better closer. I'd say WadeSmith has had quite the offseason.

[cougar]

I guess when WadeSmith said that he hadn't had enough time to get an attachment to any of the Astros, he wasn't kidding.  I'm surprised our 40 man roster isn't down to Roy O, Lance, Lee, Pence, "B-12" Tejada, Valverde, and a couple of nervous looking ballboys.

[jasonact]

And Ed Wade is a pyromaniac.

I'd say this is so apt that it merits full consideration in the Funk & Wagner.

[Gulf Coast Playboy]

...maybe they can lure Juan Agosto out of retirement...

"The Chin-less Wonder"!

[Jacksonian]

Wow.  I can't say I don't like this trade.  But, damn the Astros are now down to 6 possible starting pitchers: Oswalt, Wandy, Backe, Woody, Paulino, and Sampson.  There is no one on the farm anywhere near ready.  And, Cooper was talking about Sampson to the pen just a few weeks ago.  Wade has got to add several FA starting pitchers.  And we're not talking about injury guys like Prior who you don't know whether he'll pitch.  I'll guess Silva, 5 years/50mil to start with.  He's banking on big offense, shut down pen, and mediocre starting pitching to carry the team.  Wandy and Backe have to step up and stay healthy.  IF Bourn can get on base this team may look a bit like the 98 team prior to getting the Unit, except with no bullets on the farm to get a big time pitcher in July.  Interesting indeed.

[MikeyBoy]

Wow.  I can't say I don't like this trade.  But, damn the Astros are now down to 6 possible starting pitchers: Oswalt, Wandy, Backe, Woody, Paulino, and Sampson.  There is no one on the farm anywhere near ready.  And, Cooper was talking about Sampson to the pen just a few weeks ago.  Wade has got to add several FA starting pitchers.  And we're not talking about injury guys like Prior who you don't know whether he'll pitch.  I'll guess Silva, 5 years/50mil to start with.  He's banking on big offense, shut down pen, and mediocre starting pitching to carry the team.  Wandy and Backe have to step up and stay healthy.  IF Bourn can get on base this team may look a bit like the 98 team prior to getting the Unit, except with no bullets on the farm to get a big time pitcher in July.  Interesting indeed.

I think the Astros have backed themselves into a corner where they will have to overpay for starting pitching. (e.g. Silva)

[Jacksonian]

I think the Astros have backed themselves into a corner where they will have to overpay for starting pitching. (e.g. Silva)

A salient point.  Does anyone have a budget breakdown as of now?

[Jacksonian]

So, in the last few months: Qualls, Wheeler, Lidge gone. Biggio, Everett, Ensberg, Lamb, Lane, Burke, Scott gone. Two of the org's top 5 pitching prospects, gone. Am I missing anyone?

That is one hell of a roster turnover. I am very intersted to see how the new team plays together. April can't come soon enough.

From prior to the Tejada trade, he's dealt our #1 Patton, #4 Gutierrez, and #5 Costanzo prospects.

[Jacksonian]

They were going to have to replenish the farm anyway by hopefully having a series of good drafts and actually signing players. Hanging onto a bunch of marginal major league prospects isn't really better than moving them and getting back starting players.

I won't argue the others, but Patton and Gutierrez have the talent to sit in the middle of nearly every major league rotation.  Those 2 aren't going to be considered aces, but they can be #3 starters for most teams.

Our bus is now filled with Towles, Paulino, and a whole bunch of ifs.

[Jacksonian]

That's certainly true. The first blush of just Burke and Qualls made me pretty happy.

So after Paulino and Estrada, who's left that has a realistic shot at helping out the big club next season?

Estrada will have to rebound from last year's mess.  Right now Paulino and Reineke are the closest to ready.

And, Nieve has to show his arm is ready.  I haven't heard anything about him this winter.  That's usually not a good sign.  But I'm hopeful.

[DVauthrin]

A salient point.  Does anyone have a budget breakdown as of now?

C-Towles(.4)
1B-Berkman(14.5)
2B-Matsui(5)
SS-Tejada(13)
3B-Wigginton(4-5)
LF-Lee(12)
CF-Bourn(.4)
RF-Pence(.4)

Bench-Ausmus(2), Loretta(4), Blum(1.1), Abercrombie(.4), Cruz Jr(.4)=58.1 million for the offense

SP

Oswalt-(13)
Backe-(.6)
Wandy-(.5)
Woody-(6.25)
Paulino-(.4)

Bullpen

Sampson-(.4)
Borkowski-(.6)
Villarreal-(1)
Geary-(1)
Brocail-(2.5)
Valverde-(4.5)

= 34.3 or so for pitching

Total is at 92.5 or so.   If matsui's bonus is added for 2008, make it 94.5 million or so as some of these are approximate salaries.

[Jacksonian]

Bullpen

Sampson-(.4)
Borkowski-(.6)
Villarreal-(1)
Geary-(1)
Brocail-(2.5)
Valverde-(4.5)

Bullpen right now will likely look more like:
Valverde, Villarreal, Brocail, Geary, McLemore, Sampson, and Wright.  Now what's the dollars?

Either way, at 92+ right now and then add expensive FA starters?

[DVauthrin]

Bullpen right now will likely look more like:
Valverde, Villarreal, Brocail, Geary, McLemore, Sampson, and Wright.  Now what's the dollars?

Either way, at 92+ right now and then add expensive FA starters?

Mclemore=(.4) as would Wright having no service time.   It would be 92.3 mil.  Bork to either reliever is a .2 decrease, while the other reliever is around .4 added.  You have to consider if you sign a FA pitcher either backe or paulino gets squeezed out(for sake of discussion I bumped paulino out)

Wigginton and Valverde's salaries are based on arbitration as is Loretta and I put in the likely values i'd been reading for each guy(though valverde might get 5)

[Jacksonian]

Mclemore=(.4) as would Wright having no service time.   It would be 92.3 mil.  Bork to either reliever is a .2 decrease, while the other reliever is around .4 added.  You have to consider if you sign a FA pitcher either backe or paulino gets squeezed out(for sake of discussion I bumped paulino out)

Wigginton and Valverde's salaries are based on arbitration as is Loretta.

No question signing a FA starter moves Paulino out, unless Wade deals Woody(unlikely).

So this team could start the season with a payroll over $100 mil.

[DVauthrin]

No question signing a FA starter moves Paulino out, unless Wade deals Woody(unlikely).

So this team could start the season with a payroll over $100 mil.

it's quite likely, whether they go after a big FA SP like silva or livan, or they try a prove yourself deal on jennings/lieber and sign a reliever to work the 8th like dotel or wickman or affeldt or a combo of both.  I got the contracts from:

http://mlbcontracts.blogspot.com/2005/01/houston-astros.html (they screw up a name here/there-see borkowski and have some old contracts on there, but anything updated is accurate)

Villarreal and Geary are also arby cases, but likely to be in the same range as last year.

[Jacksonian]

it's quite likely, whether they go after a big FA SP like silva or livan, or they try a prove yourself deal on jennings/lieber and sign a reliever to work the 8th like dotel or wickman or affeldt or a combo of both.  I got the contracts from:

http://mlbcontracts.blogspot.com/2005/01/houston-astros.html (they screw up a name here/there-see borkowski and have some old contracts on there, but anything updated is accurate)

Villarreal and Geary are also arby cases, but likely to be in the same range as last year.

Even if he adds relievers to force Sampson and Paulino to be starter depth at AAA, I don't consider either other them to be long-term solutions.  Sampson doesn't have the stuff to be effective over the long-term and Paulino is a 2 pitch pitcher who's been groomed as a closer for a while now.  He's got to add a FA starter, and he'll have to pay him a lot of money.

[DVauthrin]

Even if he adds relievers to force Sampson and Paulino to be starter depth at AAA, I don't consider either other them to be long-term solutions.  Sampson doesn't have the stuff to be effective over the long-term and Paulino is a 2 pitch pitcher who's been groomed as a closer for a while now.  He's got to add a FA starter, and he'll have to pay him a lot of money.

Well, the question then becomes would you rather have silva at 5 for 50 or say livan hernandez at 2 for 20 or so.   Unless you want jennings/lieber/prior at 4-5 mil per year for 1/2 yrs.

[legs_of_eggs]

Well, the question then becomes would you rather have silva at 5 for 50 or say livan hernandez at 2 for 20 or so.   Unless you want jennings/lieber/prior at 4-5 mil per year for 1/2 yrs.

I'll take the jennings/lieber/prior route at 4-5mil per, I just don't think its time to break bank on a starter and a low risk high reward deal for one of the non-tendered guys is just smarter at this point. You have to consider saving to extend Valverde too if that becomes of interest.

[CarolinaStro]

No question signing a FA starter moves Paulino out, unless Wade deals Woody(unlikely).

So this team could start the season with a payroll over $100 mil.

You would think Wade already has that green light from the Grocer to go beyond 100 mil or he wouldn't have executed these last two deals.  It would be rather silly to buy/trade for such a lineup and then go to war with our current staff.  As others have mentioned, they seem intent on not wasting the Oswalt/Berkman/Lee prime years by entering anything even resembling a rebuilding mode.  Damn the torpedeos...

[CarolinaStro]

Well, the question then becomes would you rather have silva at 5 for 50 or say livan hernandez at 2 for 20 or so.   Unless you want jennings/lieber/prior at 4-5 mil per year for 1/2 yrs.

From what I saw of Silva last year on TV, he looked very Sampsonesque stuff-wise.  Of course, his results were better.  5 years seems like too steep of a commitment.  Anyways, Wade must already have someone in mind or he wouldn't have parted with Patton and Guti.  Maybe we will be late/surprise entrants in the Kuroda sweepstakes.  Give Matsui someone to talk to on the plane rides.

[mihoba]

This Livan talk is growing on me. Talk about a workhorse, he has averaged over 227 innings per for the last 10 years, and I don't think he's ever missed a start in those years. He will be 33 before spring. Hell, with this offense, if he could keep his ERA around 4.5, good things will happen.

He can hit, too.

[pots]

This Livan talk is growing on me. Talk about a workhorse, he has averaged over 227 innings per for the last 10 years, and I don't think he's ever missed a start in those years. He will be 33 before spring. Hell, with this offense, if he could keep his ERA around 4.5, good things will happen.

He can hit, too.

Good point, Monster lineup with him or Backe pitching

[Ty in Tampa]

I'm saying what a lot of others are but I just can't imagine there aren't more moves ahead for starting pitching. Unca D. has already gutted a weak farm, he might as well spend the money too.

[jaklewein]

I'd like to see the team sign two of Jennings/Prior/Lieber at 1-2 year deals and take their chances.  Oh, and I think Josh Towers was non-tendered.

By the way...we've shipped out a ton of prospects, but it's not like we're 100% bare.

Would it really be that suprising to see the sell off in the minor leagues continue?  You know the A's will be looking to deal Blanton soon.  How about a package centered around Paulino, Manzella and a low-A prospect or two?

[Jacksonian]

I'd like to see the team sign two of Jennings/Prior/Lieber at 1-2 year deals and take their chances.  Oh, and I think Josh Towers was non-tendered.

By the way...we've shipped out a ton of prospects, but it's not like we're 100% bare.

Would it really be that suprising to see the sell off in the minor leagues continue?  You know the A's will be looking to deal Blanton soon.  How about a package centered around Paulino, Manzella and a low-A prospect or two?

The A's would laugh at that.  Look what they got for Haren.  And they've been pretty set on getting for Blanton what it will take to get Santana.

Wade can't just sign injury FA starters.  He's got to have at least one who's ready to go right now and fairly certain that guy will make it through the year.  I'd imagine a guy like Livan is at or near the top of his list.  If you were Jennings or Lieber would you take a minor league deal?

[pravata]

So why did Arizona make the deal? They just landed Haren, had a great shut-down pen last year. Valverde's not making a whole lot in salary. What's the motivation to downgrade from Valverde to Qualls just to add Burke?

Here's what they say,

"They were very much connected," Byrnes said of the deals. "I think again one of the hesitations of the Oakland deal was giving up depth, which is invaluable. The Houston deal brought back some of that depth."

Here's what they think they got from the Astros

the Diamondbacks acquired a proven and reliable reliever in Qualls, whom they have under control for three seasons; partially replenished their upper-level pitching depth with Buckner (in another deal with KC) and Gutierrez; and rounded out their roster with Burke, who has played all three outfield positions as well as second base and shortstop in parts of four seasons in the majors. Link

[dirty steve]

Here's what they think they got from the Astros
and rounded out their roster with Burke, who has played all three outfield positions as well as second base and shortstop in parts of four seasons in the majors. Link

isnt chase field's OF even more expansive than MMPUS's?  it makes it sound like they are making burke out to be a jack-of-all-trades type.

[Limey]

and rounded out their roster with Burke, who has played all three outfield positions as well as second base and shortstop in parts of four seasons in the majors.

They're not lying, they're just not telling the whole truth.

[mihoba]

They're not lying, they're just not telling the whole truth.

Similar to saying Ausmus has experience at shortstop and second base.

[matadorph]

This Livan talk is growing on me. Talk about a workhorse, he has averaged over 227 innings per for the last 10 years, and I don't think he's ever missed a start in those years. He will be 33 before spring. Hell, with this offense, if he could keep his ERA around 4.5, good things will happen.

He can hit, too.

After the Tejada trade went down, I thought Livan Hernandez made the best fit at the right price of the available FA pitchers, for the reasons you've said.

Somebody other than Roy needs to chew some innings.

[Russ99]

After the Tejada trade went down, I thought Livan Hernandez made the best fit at the right price of the available FA pitchers, for the reasons you've said.

Somebody other than Roy needs to chew some innings.

I'd love to see Livan on the Astros next year. He'd be a pretty good fit.

I also wouldn't mind seeing the Astros take a chance on Prior too, but word in Chi-town is that he's expected be ready to go in May or possibly "a few months later". Taking into account he turned down the Cubs offer for a year + an option, I'm not sure he'd take that from another team.

There's also rumors another team (SD?) wanted to deal for Prior before the non-tender deadline, but took a look at his medical records and turned down the Cubs.

2 years for even low-end FA salary would be taking a big risk, kind of like the one the Cubs took on Wade Miller a few years back. Maybe taking a chance on Jennings may be a bit less risky, since the Astros have reports from their own medical staff.

[Reuben]

Seeing Livan and Jennings toe the mound on consecutive days would be pretty hilarious.

[Noe]

Maybe WadeSmith thinks reuniting Villarreal and Valverde will rekindle their 2003 magic.

Wow, that was my very first thought when this deal was announced.  Hated to lose Qualls, but what is being said about Villarreal probably made that easier to do on Houston's part.

BTW - on a personal note, I hate Valverde's antics on the mound.  This team has a very different personality shaping up and the days of Bagwell/Biggio and not showing up the opponent are now officially dead and buried with that move.  What's next, riding stick ponies and curtain calls in Houston?  Oh wait...

[Noe]

He's banking on big offense, shut down pen, and mediocre starting pitching to carry the team.

The Philadelphia Experiment, Part II

[Noe]

Estrada will have to rebound from last year's mess.  Right now Paulino and Reineke are the closest to ready.

And, Nieve has to show his arm is ready.  I haven't heard anything about him this winter.  That's usually not a good sign.  But I'm hopeful.

I was thinking Reineke just got a whole lotta spotlight placed on him (by the Astros).

[DVauthrin]

Wow, that was my very first thought when this deal was announced.  Hated to lose Qualls, but what is being said about Villarreal probably made that easier to do on Houston's part.

BTW - on a personal note, I hate Valverde's antics on the mound.  This team has a very different personality shaping up and the days of Bagwell/Biggio and not showing up the opponent are now officially dead and buried with that move.  What's next, riding stick ponies and curtain calls in Houston?  Oh wait...

I will agree on the antics just like k-rod, but that was a deal wade couldn't turn down(only piece i'll miss is qualls).   Plus the astros aren't likely to go from class to showboats over night.

[Wild Dog]

I was thinking Reineke just got a whole lotta spotlight placed on him (by the Astros).

Meaning...he's headed where and with whom for who? (or is it with who for whom)

[BUWebguy]

Seeing Livan and Jennings toe the mound on consecutive days would be pretty hilarious.

If the price were not outrageous, I'd love to see those two as #2 and #3 in the Astros' rotation.

[pravata]

Meaning...he's headed where and with whom for who? (or is it with who for whom)

Ed! Sorry, no, Mr Wade!  Those seats are bolted down, you can't trade those, no the lights have to stay too. 

[Amy]

Ed! Sorry, no, Mr Wade!  Those seats are bolted down, you can't trade those, no the lights have to stay too. 

Wonder what he will get for the bronze statues?

[SaltyParker]

Ed! Sorry, no, Mr Wade!  Those seats are bolted down, you can't trade those, no the lights have to stay too. 

When he was a little boy his Mother knew there was going to be a problem when she caught him trading away the salt and pepper shakers........

[Jacksonian]

I was thinking Reineke just got a whole lotta spotlight placed on him (by the Astros).

I was surprised to see Footer saying Wade was looking at Ryan Houston in the Astros bullpen and not Reineke.

[Amorican_Idol]

Great trade. No one will miss Burke - good riddance. Qualls - sad to see him go and a good guy by all accounts.

We now have a top closer. Glad we turned Burke, Scott, and other bad prospects into Tejada and Valverde.

[jasonact]

Great trade. No one will miss Burke - good riddance. Qualls - sad to see him go and a good guy by all accounts.

We now have a top closer. Glad we turned Burke, Scott, and other bad prospects into Tejada and Valverde.

I don't think I'd call Patton a "bad prospect", but I too like the trades at this point. Tejada's performance this year will determine how good that trade was. Anything less than .300/25/90 will be hard to swallow.

[Jacksonian]

and other bad prospects

You = stupid.

[BUWebguy]

This Livan talk is growing on me. Talk about a workhorse, he has averaged over 227 innings per for the last 10 years, and I don't think he's ever missed a start in those years. He will be 33 before spring. Hell, with this offense, if he could keep his ERA around 4.5, good things will happen.

He can hit, too.

Doesn't sound like we should get our hopes up on adding pitching.

Wade would like to add another starting pitcher but said he feels comfortable with a rotation that would include Oswalt, Brandon Backe, Wandy Rodriguez, Chris Sampson and Woody Williams.

"I really believe that there's been an underestimation of the ability of the starters that we have," he said.

Wade has been in contact with the agents for free-agent righthanders Jon Lieber and Mark Prior, who missed all of last season with an injury. Wade also had an offer on the table to lefthander Glendon Rusch.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/5382271.html

[mihoba]

Doesn't sound like we should get our hopes up on adding pitching.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/5382271.html

This quote might be a bit disturbing.

"We're not taking our foot off the accelerator," Wade said. "We'll keep moving forward and see what opportunities present themselves along the way."

In my estimation, pedal to the metal ends in either the finish line or a spectacular crash and burn.

[pravata]

This quote might be a bit disturbing.

In my estimation, pedal to the metal ends in either the finish line or a spectacular crash and burn.

On a family vacation in the Poconos, a good friend of mine was driving the van.  We got lost on a couple of occasions, his solution was always to floor it.  Somehow it worked.  We got out of wherever we were lost at much faster.

[mihoba]

Ed! Sorry, no, Mr Wade!  Those seats are bolted down, you can't trade those, no the lights have to stay too. 

If he wants to trade the train and the Citgo sign, it wouldn't break my heart.

[mihoba]

On a family vacation in the Poconos, a good friend of mine was driving the van.  We got lost on a couple of occasions, his solution was always to floor it.  Somehow it worked.  We got out of wherever we were lost at much faster.

97% of my experience in this matter involved the crash and burn part, some involving flashing lights and handcuffs.

[Jose Cruz III]

You = stupid.

I don't have alot of knowledge of the Astros farm system. With that in mind, were the prospects that were traded away great prospects? Good prospects? Marginal?

I am asking this because I really do not know. I will hang up and listen.

[pots]

I'm getting flashbacks about a story with a broom carrying water buckets...  Another trade, another improvement to the big league club.

Major league club is much improved.  Farm, well, might as well start ground up there with this years draft.

08 & 09 major league club should be fine.  2010 gets a bit scary, but by 2011 this years draft should be poking through. 

[Jacksonian]

I don't have alot of knowledge of the Astros farm system. With that in mind, were the prospects that were traded away great prospects? Good prospects? Marginal?

I am asking this because I really do not know. I will hang up and listen.

Wade only dealt 3 prospects.  Before the Tejada trade the Astros had 4 good major league ready prospects.  Wade dealt 2 of those (Patton and Gutierrez) .  Costanzo is marginal today but has the talent to be good.  The Astros now only have 2 good prospects without major question marks (Towles and Paulino).

[Jose Cruz III]

Wade only dealt 3 prospects.  Before the Tejada trade the Astros had 4 good major league ready prospects.  Wade dealt 2 of those (Patton and Gutierrez) .  Costanzo is marginal today but has the talent to be good.  The Astros now only have 2 good prospects without major question marks (Towles and Paulino).

Where does Albers fit in to this equation?

[VirtualBob]

Where does Albers fit in to this equation?

Ask the Orioles

[Jacksonian]

Where does Albers fit in to this equation?

He's no longer a rookie, so to me he's no longer a prospect.