 |
| (Credit: Getty Images) |
For the past couple of seasons, you always knew when the Trade Deadline was because Wandy Rodriguez's name is always in rampant discussions. It is never because he's a bad player, but he always looks to be an expendable pitcher on a team with little to no hope in the Houston Astros. For these last few deadlines, Wandy has gone unmoved and remained on the Astros as they consistently dwelled in the National League Central division.
Not this time around, though. Wandy's finally got a new home. Who is it?
A former cellar dweller. The Pittsburgh Pirates.
Not too long ago, the Pirates and Astros agreed to a swap that would send Rodriguez to the Steel City LHP Rudy Owens, OF Robbie Grossman, and LHP Colton Cain. Tom Singer of MLB.com reported initially that it was getting close, and then Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com and MLB Network later picked up the rest of the details.
Let's continue the trend that will surely be continuing as the week progresses: breaking down this trade.
What This Means for Pittsburgh
This move not only helps Pittsburgh's pitching staff and team positively, but it also shows something that has not been seen for a while in the 'Burgh: they are in it to win it. Usually the Pirates are sellers at this point, and are not trying to get in the mix amongst the rest of the field to get a spot in the postseason. With that said though, Wandy Rodriguez is not too much of a significant upgrade from what the Pirates currently have. He's posted a 7-9 record with a 3.79 ERA so far this season with a 3.78 FIP, 89 K and 32 BB in 130.2 IP. He's a pretty average 33-year old pitcher with a large contract. For the Pirates though, he should give them some good starts in the back end of the rotation. He will be replacing Kevin Correia in the rotation so he's an upgrade there, but nothing significant. Still though, you hope this goes well for a team that has mired in futility for two decades.
What This Means for Houston
The Houston Astros, to put it simply, have been an utter mess for the last few seasons. They are on their way to yet another 100-loss season and another season spent in the cellar of the NL Central along with the Chicago Cubs. In the past two years, they have now gotten rid of Wandy Rodriguez, Hunter Pence, Carlos Lee, Jeff Keppinger, Lance Berkman, Roy Oswalt, Michael Bourn, Bret Myers, J.A. Happ, and Brandon Lyon. To say that the Astros have been on a continuous fire sale would be an understatement. They are in complete disarray, and thanks in part to former general manager Ed Wade, have a discouragingly dreadful farm system as well. This move though needed to happen to finally get rid of the rumors and so that Wandy could have a chance to be on a successful team. Where the Astros go next is anyone's guess, but what this means for them is that they are getting some solid prospects in Colton Cain, Rudy Owens and Robbie Grossman. They're all very solid prospects, not blue chippers, but good enough for them. For whatever reason that it was, Rudy Owens was never ut into a position to get an opportunity as a Pirate. Someday I expect that he will be replacing Wandy Rodriguez.
Not this time around, though. Wandy's finally got a new home. Who is it?
A former cellar dweller. The Pittsburgh Pirates.
Not too long ago, the Pirates and Astros agreed to a swap that would send Rodriguez to the Steel City LHP Rudy Owens, OF Robbie Grossman, and LHP Colton Cain. Tom Singer of MLB.com reported initially that it was getting close, and then Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com and MLB Network later picked up the rest of the details.
Let's continue the trend that will surely be continuing as the week progresses: breaking down this trade.
What This Means for Pittsburgh
This move not only helps Pittsburgh's pitching staff and team positively, but it also shows something that has not been seen for a while in the 'Burgh: they are in it to win it. Usually the Pirates are sellers at this point, and are not trying to get in the mix amongst the rest of the field to get a spot in the postseason. With that said though, Wandy Rodriguez is not too much of a significant upgrade from what the Pirates currently have. He's posted a 7-9 record with a 3.79 ERA so far this season with a 3.78 FIP, 89 K and 32 BB in 130.2 IP. He's a pretty average 33-year old pitcher with a large contract. For the Pirates though, he should give them some good starts in the back end of the rotation. He will be replacing Kevin Correia in the rotation so he's an upgrade there, but nothing significant. Still though, you hope this goes well for a team that has mired in futility for two decades.
What This Means for Houston
The Houston Astros, to put it simply, have been an utter mess for the last few seasons. They are on their way to yet another 100-loss season and another season spent in the cellar of the NL Central along with the Chicago Cubs. In the past two years, they have now gotten rid of Wandy Rodriguez, Hunter Pence, Carlos Lee, Jeff Keppinger, Lance Berkman, Roy Oswalt, Michael Bourn, Bret Myers, J.A. Happ, and Brandon Lyon. To say that the Astros have been on a continuous fire sale would be an understatement. They are in complete disarray, and thanks in part to former general manager Ed Wade, have a discouragingly dreadful farm system as well. This move though needed to happen to finally get rid of the rumors and so that Wandy could have a chance to be on a successful team. Where the Astros go next is anyone's guess, but what this means for them is that they are getting some solid prospects in Colton Cain, Rudy Owens and Robbie Grossman. They're all very solid prospects, not blue chippers, but good enough for them. For whatever reason that it was, Rudy Owens was never ut into a position to get an opportunity as a Pirate. Someday I expect that he will be replacing Wandy Rodriguez.
No comments:
Post a Comment