Value

[Jacksonian]

I'm going to assume the Astros do not distinguish themselves the last 2 weeks of July and not give hope to Drayton for the purposes of this question.  Is there enough value in some combination of guys like Wigginton, Blum, Loretta, Erstad, Moehler, Backe, and Brocail to get a major league ready for 2009 #3 type starter prospect?  Teams like the Twins and Angels come to mind that might need a 3b and might have a pitcher like that in the high minors.  Give me a team in contention that could use some of these guys and I'll tell you, if you don't know, a guy that team has that might fit the bill.

[austro]

This may be a stupid idea, but with Saito going down for the Dodgers, I wonder if you could get somebody genuinely useful from them for Valverde (or some package including him). I'm not exactly sure how you'd replace him next year, but that seems like a problem that could be solved.

[ValpoCory]

Depends on how Broxton does.

[Russe]

I think the Twins is the team you need to be looking at. They need what we have (relief help and a lefty-mashing 3B), and they're about as pitching-rich as a team can be in 2008. I've always liked Scott Baker, but whether or not he's a true #3 starter is debatable.

[Matt]

I'm going to assume the Astros do not distinguish themselves the last 2 weeks of July and not give hope to Drayton for the purposes of this question.  Is there enough value in some combination of guys like Wigginton, Blum, Loretta, Erstad, Moehler, Backe, and Brocail to get a major league ready for 2009 #3 type starter prospect?  Teams like the Twins and Angels come to mind that might need a 3b and might have a pitcher like that in the high minors.  Give me a team in contention that could use some of these guys and I'll tell you, if you don't know, a guy that team has that might fit the bill.

Santana could have been had by the Angels in the off season but this year he's pitching his ass off so I doubt he's as available.  Weaver has been kind of a let down this year and they have some other prospects in AAA.

[Reuben]

Jacksonian, know anything about this guy Scribner, whom the Padres got for Tony Clark? I'd imagine the Astros would get similar or slightly better value for Loretta or Erstad.

[Jacksonian]

Jacksonian, know anything about this guy Scribner, whom the Padres got for Tony Clark? I'd imagine the Astros would get similar or slightly better value for Loretta or Erstad.

Might be worth the deal, dunno.  Drafted last year he was at a mid-level college where he started some games and closed others.  He's been a closer professionally.  Good arm, but not great arm.  Reid Kelly in Lex is probably a reasonable comp from the Astros org.  He probably profiles as middle or late inning relief but not closer at the major league level.  Maybe a Geary comp though its too early to be sure.

[Gizzmonic]

The bigger question to me is when and if Drayton decides to fold the tent and make deals.  It doesn't seem to be in his nature to do that.  And he was rewarded for his persistence in '04 and '05.  Methinks it might make him even more stubborn now.

[austro]

In '04 and '05 he had some pitching. This year he has none, and even he has to be able to see that. Persistence will get him nowhere this year.

[mihoba]

The bigger question to me is when and if Drayton decides to fold the tent and make deals.  It doesn't seem to be in his nature to do that.  And he was rewarded for his persistence in '04 and '05.  Methinks it might make him even more stubborn now.

I'll be shocked if he allows Smith/Wade to trade anyone. He thinks, IMO, he owes it to the season ticket holders to keep the team intact and competitive all season, no matter the record. I also suspect the Astros will make a splash in the FA starting pitching market in the off season.

[Arky Vaughan]

even he has to be able to see that.

Careful with the assumption there.

[Arky Vaughan]

keep the team intact and competitive all season.

His weakness is that he doesn't see that one doesn't necessarily lead to the other. They haven't been competitive for almost two months now.

[Jacksonian]

I'll be shocked if he allows Smith/Wade to trade anyone. He thinks, IMO, he owes it to the season ticket holders to keep the team intact and competitive all season, no matter the record.

The Astros have 12 games before the trading deadline (no game on the 31st).  3 against the Cubs and 3 against the Brewers.  And 3 against the Pirates and 3 against the Reds.  Only the Crew series is on the road.  If the Astros can't be competitive with the current team during that stretch it'd have to be tough for even Drayton to hold much hope.

[Reuben]

The bigger question to me is when and if Drayton decides to fold the tent and make deals.  It doesn't seem to be in his nature to do that.  And he was rewarded for his persistence in '04 and '05.  Methinks it might make him even more stubborn now.

You and Arky make good points, but I wouldn't be surprised to see them trade Loretta regardless, as they do still have a surplus at his position so it would not really be seen as "giving up" or cheating the fans. Erstad and others are not surplus right now, but who knows- Wade showed this offseason he is not afraid to move things around and make some bold moves. Like Mihoba says, the next two weeks will probably be telling as well.