Wandy close to being a Pirate??

[chandler44]

According to MLB Trade rumors, they're close.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/07/pirates-close-to-acquiring-wandy-rodriguez.html

[pots]

Arrrgh! Wandy

[moriartp]

First, I love your avatar. I need to watch Deadwood again.

Second, the Pirates have some good prospect depth to pick from. This could be good news.

Third, who comes up to fill Wandy's spot? Galarraga?

[moriartp]

Heyman: #pirates get wandy rodriguez, source says. @Tom_Singer reported it was getting close.

FWIW, Pirates prospect Alen Hanson was pulled after one at-bat tonight. BA had him in their midseason top 50 prospects.

[Lefty]

Rumors in Pittsburgh have A-ball SS Alen Hanson heading our way, with the Stros kicking in money.  Very interesting prospect.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/prospect-bulletin/2012/2613771.html

[Ron Brand]

That's all?

.898 fielding percentage at SS. Yow.

[moriartp]

Morosi: #Pirates agree to acquire Wandy Rodriguez from #Astros, source confirms.

[austro]

That's all?

.898 fielding percentage at SS. Yow.

Oh, come on. Everybody knows that SS is an offensive position.

[MusicMan]

That's all?

.898 fielding percentage at SS. Yow.

That's all??  Getting a top 50 guy for Wandy is damn near a miracle.

[MusicMan]

Oh, come on. Everybody knows that SS is an offensive position.

It's been offensive here for a long time.

[Ron Brand]

That's all??  Getting a top 50 guy for Wandy is damn near a miracle.

If you say so. I expected a little more, he's a living, breathing left handed starting pitcher.

[BizidyDizidy]

It's been offensive here for a long time.

wait till Wallace takes over

[Ron Brand]

wait till Wallace takes over

Yeah! Why'd we get this guy, Wallace has him blocked!

[pots]

Wandy giving hugs in the dugout

[drew corleone]

Sad to see him go. But excited to see how this helps the club in the long run.

[Ron Brand]

Turn out the lights on 2005.

[94CougarGrad]

Did I hear Brownie right? Next time he pitches, it'll be against the Astros?

[moriartp]

Wandy giving hugs in the dugout

Strange sight to see. Wesley Wright is now the longest-tenured Astro, as Levine pointed out.

[Ron Brand]

Strange sight to see. Wesley Wright is now the longest-tenured Astro, as Levine pointed out.

And he's only 12.

[pots]

Looking at Alen Hanson minor league career, he's done fairly well at 2b, not so good at SS

Though from the article linked above:

"It's a hard position—not a lot of guys survive shortstop," Sofield said. "He has the tools to play shortstop. Our number one priority is to make him a better shortstop. That's my job right now."

Sofield said that he is seeing more consistency from Hanson now than he did when the season began. After making 11 errors in April, 11 more in May and eight in June, Hanson has only committed four errors in July.

"I've seen him at times where you say, yes, he can absolutely play shortstop in the major leagues," Sofield said. "Can he maintain that? We'll see. He's 10 times better now than he was in April."

[roadrunner]

Rosenthal tweets it's Robbie Grossman.

[moriartp]

This will probably sound weird to most of you guys, but Wandy leaving feels more like the end of an era to me than Berkman or Oswalt did. I didn't start following the team in earnest until 2005, so Wandy was the first player I really watched develop and progress in the big leagues. He hasn't looked good recently, but I genuinely hope he finds success in Pittsburgh. I'll miss him.

[Ron Brand]

Grossman would be good.

[moriartp]

Rosenthal tweets it's Robbie Grossman.

Hanson too, says Morosi. Badler calls him an "incredible get for the Astros."

[Craig]

This will probably sound weird to most of you guys, but Wandy leaving feels more like the end of an era to me than Berkman or Oswalt did. I didn't start following the team in earnest until 2005, so Wandy was the first player I really watched develop and progress in the big leagues. He hasn't looked good recently, but I genuinely hope he finds success in Pittsburgh. I'll miss him.

He was the last player from the World Series team.

Wandy won't even need to leave town yet, because the Pirates are the next series.

[moriartp]

Aw, shit. Morosi takes back Hanson claim:

Correction: Hanson not in deal. Pirates get LHP Wandy Rodriguez & cash from #Astros for Rudy Owens, Colton Cain and Robbie Grossman.

Got my hopes up.

[pots]

3 from the Pirates top 20 at the start of the season.  7,12,16

[moriartp]

Law: Love it for Houston.

[Lefty]

Owens:  http://players.piratesprospects.com/2010/02/rudy-owens.html

Cain:  http://players.piratesprospects.com/2010/02/colton-cain.html

A little info on Grossman, plus some BP video:  http://www.minorleagueball.com/2012/7/7/3143898/minor-league-prospect-notes-robbie-grossman-tyler-jones

[jbm]

3 from the Pirates top 20 at the start of the season.  7,12,16

So, a bunch of probable nothing for something. 

[Ron Brand]

That does look like a good deal for Houston. Cool.

[MusicMan]

Law: Love it for Houston.

He must hate himself for typing that.

[Bench]

So, a bunch of probable nothing for something. 

I don't think you grasp what's going on with the plan for the Astros. 

[Bench]

He must hate himself for typing that.

I think he's big time on board with the Luhnow regime.  Doesn't mean his opinion should be noteworthy either way.

[MusicMan]

Bravo, Footer:

astros trade Wandy, Paterno family releases statement complaining that no one consulted them first

[cougar]

So, a bunch of probable nothing for something. 

Yes, because the Astros are certainly in a "win now" frame of mind.

[MusicMan]

I'm realizing tat Harrell is now the ace of the staff. Damn

[jbm]

I don't think you grasp what's going on with the plan for the Astros. 

It's clear, trade present for potential, hope potential becomes present, then think about trading it for potential.

[Ron Brand]

I'm realizing tat Harrell is now the ace of the staff. Damn

That's a sobering thought.

[austro]

That's a sobering thought.

The good news is that he's actually pitching like one.

[remy]

Turn out the lights on 2005.

All that once was is now gone.  I was in the Wrigley bleachers in May of 2005 to witness Wandy's major league debut.  If I recall correctly, the HGH twins started the previous two games and lost.  Wandy came in for game 3 and shut 'em down to avoid the sweep.  And thus started the slow crawl out of the cellar.

[moriartp]

That's a sobering thought.

It is, but he's been very solid and Wade got him for nothing. He's the kind of pickup who can make a team like this slightly less unwatchable.

[juliogotay]

Yes, Harrel was the ace of this staff prior to this game. Ace being used very loosely as in every team has one.

[chuck]

Damn. I've known Wandy so long I knew him when he was someone else entirely.

[roadrunner]

13 prospects acquired this month.  The Astros need a new minor league affiliate just for that.

[juliogotay]

Grossman, a switch-hitter, is primarily a CFer. He was Bucs MiL player of year last year. One of the LHers was Bucs MiL pithcer of the year in 09 and 10.

[MusicMan]

BP summary paraphrased:
Owens- most big league ready, should see Houston this year, low walk rate, back of the rotation piece.
Cain - most upside, curve flattens out, change improved
Grossman - no star level tools but no weaknesses. If he sticks in CF, has great value.

[roadrunner]

What is the CC outfield now with Grossman?  Wates is hurt now, no?

[BizidyDizidy]

Damn. I've known Wandy so long I knew him when he was someone else entirely.

Eny Cabreja if I recall. Weren't we with him when he had a bad case of herpes as well or was that someone else?

[Arky Vaughan]

Luhnow has been nothing if not efficient in cleaning house. Cordero and Francisco are now the only guys over $1 million. The payroll commitments of the players no longer with the team must exceed the payroll commitments to the remaining players by several multiples.

Now let's let 'em play and see what happens.

[Bench]

Weren't we with him when he had a bad case of herpes as well or was that someone else?

The very first year the games were shown on HD too. 

[chuck]

The very first year the games were shown on HD too. 

Which helped us appreciate the movie-star good looks of Zeke Astacio.

[Fynn]

I really feel wierd tonight...the end of an era.  Its appropriate to let go of the players we have known for years as we travel in another direction. 

[Jose Cruz III]

Hate to see Wandy go. Hope he pushes the Bucs to the playoffs.

[cougar]

Damn. I've known Wandy so long I knew him when he was someone else entirely.

Yup.  Carbeja's a Pirate.

[Ebby Calvin]

Hate to see Wandy go. Hope he pushes the Bucs to the playoffs.

Yep.

[pots]

http://twitter.com/brianmctaggart/status/227966171037712385

Luhnow said Cain to high A, Grossman to AA, Owens to AAA.

[Gizzmonic]

Eny Cabreja if I recall. Weren't we with him when he had a bad case of herpes as well or was that someone else?

I wasn't with him when he had a bad case of herpes. You might ask Derek Jeter though.

[94CougarGrad]

Bravo, Footer:

astros trade Wandy, Paterno family releases statement complaining that no one consulted them first

Footer's tweet: SFN.

[moriartp]

Patti Smith's tweet from a few days ago was outstanding:

To everyone upset about Joe Paterno's statue being taken down: Just look the other way and pretend it's not happening.

[Randy Watson]

Did I hear Brownie right? Next time he pitches, it'll be against the Astros?

That will help his ERA

[Limey]

That will help his ERA BA

FIFY

[Duman]

Not than anyone cares what he things but Keith Law just posted " it (the three minor leaguers) was too much to give up for a veteran player who doesn't make the team substantially better." (insider)