The Astros Report - Offseason Edition

Because I had to settle a bet.

Some Wisdom in Trading Away The Farm

There is some wisdom in what the Astros did during the off-season, in the trades that brought them Miguel Tejada, Jose Valverde, and Michael Bourn.  While Ken Rosenthal can rail against the deals all he wants, there is one thing you need to keep in mind.

None of the players traded was really a superstar.  In fact, many weren't really all that good.

Yes, I know, Chad Qualls and Brad Lidge are plenty badass.  But Lidge was likely gone in a year and Qualls, while solid, isn't a lights out reliever.

And of the prospects, the only one of real note was Troy Patton, who was sent to the Orioles.  Everyone else that was dealt was either a disappointment or wasn't a world beater. 

Overall, the Astros likely looked at their system, didn't like what they saw, and decided to spent what little collateral they had to improve their team.  So long as they draft the best player available from now on, there is every reason that the Astros can replensih the farm in a short period of time.

That's IF they spend money and IF they draft the best player available, not just who will sign.

Koby Clemens Moving To Catcher

After another year of disappointment, the Astros are moving Koby Clemens back to catcher.

Originally drafted as a catcher, the Astros moved Clemens to third base, feeling that he would his stocky frame would allow him to take the abuse of catching, and his arm would be more than adequate from behind the plate.  His bat, which has been disappointing thus far, would also look a lot better from behind the bag as well.

It's clear that there was some pressure on the Astros to draft Koby due to his dad, who was on the staff, but really, the Astros would have been better off spending the six figure bonus on someone else.  Anyhow, Clemens could really provide some value from behind the plate if he's able to be a adequate catcher.  Catching prospects are currently lacking in the majors and if Clemens can turn into at the very least a Gregg Zaun type of player, he's got a lot of value.

Astros Need To Re-Establish International Presence

Okay, one more, because quite frankly, I've had enough.

The Astros need to figure out why their pipeline to Latin America has dried up.

In the past, the Astros were kings of the Venezuelan Talent Market, with them signing player after player that was a serious talent.  Some of the former talent mined from Venezuela:  Bobby Abreu, Richard HIdalgo and Freddy Garcia, all of whom have enjoyed solid big league careers.

The talent has dried up.

Part of it has been Drayton McLane's tightening of the purse strings and refusing to pay up for big money talent in the draft or abroad.  But the other part is that the Astros didn't evolve  They weren't able to adjust for the times and as a result, several other teams now dominate the Venezuelan market and the Domincan, areas where the Astros did relatively well.

Whatever the case, it's time for Houston to re-establish their presence on the International Market.

Because all of the patch jobs, no matter the price, won't keep the franchise stable for much longer.

Bah, work blocked Foxsports.com.  Fortunately, my laptop came in and it is sweet.  Windows Vista does take some getting used to, however.

Anyhow, here's what I was going to post on Friday.  The Rangers Report will be up later.

So, to borrow from Will Carrol, powered by Dell, onto the show...

On The Block – Jon Garland

I decided to bring back On The Block, partially because I missed doing it, partially because the trade market has become a bigger factory nowadays, especially since free agency is starting to suck in terms of sexy names.  It just won't appear as often.  So, let's check it out.

The Why:  Garland has actually been heavily shopped as far as last off-season, and was mentioned in a trade to Texas (for John Danks and Nick Masset, which ultimately was done for Brandon McCarthy) and was nearly traded to the Astros for Jason Hirsh, Wily Taveras, and Taylor Buchholz (until Kenny Williams blew the deal by asking for Hunter Pence at the last minute, when the deal was done.)  Now, however, there is more of a movement to move Garland, who is entering his walk year and has been displaced in the rotation by Javier Vazquez and Mark Buehrle, the Sox’s two co-aces.  Garland himself has already announced that he doesn't expect to be in Pale Hose next season.

The Rumored Asking Price:  Apparently, all that Williams is asking for is two relievers, though one of them has to be a proven commodity and needs to have closer potential.  Evidently, Williams feels that he was burned when he acquired Masset, Andy Sisco, and David Aardsma.

Can A Trade Be Done:  Yes.  With the coming winter being bare in starting pitching, Garland, despite a bit of a collapse after the All Star break, will be very attractive, especially with that asking price, which is likely going to be improved upon as the market develops.

The Good:  Garland has proven to be a major league innings eater, something that is becoming quite valueable with pitchers spending more and more time on the DL due to various ailments.  However, one other thing that makes Garland attractive is that he is a groundball pitcher and keeps the ball in the park, a benefit for many teams, especially those that have homer friendly parks.  Overall, he’d be a quality middle of the rotation guy for most of the teams around the league.

Potential Hang-ups:

• Money –Garland is due $12 million dollars in his final year. 
• Health – The only other one I can think of is that the two White Sox pitchers moved last off-season, McCarthy and Freddy Garcia, have both spent time on the DL, making one wonder if Garland may be headed to the DL at some point in the season. 
• Kenny Williams – Williams is ambitious to a fault.  No, that's not quite right.  I feel he tries to screw you as royally as possible (which is why the Astro deal imploded).  He's not a stupid man by any means, I just think that he tries to go for the big splash far too often. 

Potential Suitors – In Alphabetical Order

• Arizona Diamondbacks –The Dbacks have a surplus of talent in the farm system and lack any sort of reliable starting pitching coming into next year, with both Doug Davis and Livan Hernandez heading into free agency.  Plus, as a sinkerballer, Garland will thrive with a Gold Glove caliber middle infield behind him.
• Colorado Rockies – Rumor has it that the Rockies could offer Brian Fuentes in exchange for Garland, in an attempt to make the salaries balance out.  It’s going to take a lot more than that in my opinion, as Williams won't take a one year rental of Fuentes.  He'll probably insist on 3B Ian Stewart in the deal as well (who would fill a hole, allowing Williams to trade current 3B Joe Crede for the actual relief help) or 23 year-old reliever Juan Morillo, who has closer potential and, according to Baseball America, was reportedly clocked at 104 mph a few years back, to complete the deal.  There could be something here.
• Houston Astros – Ah yes, the Astros.  While I don't think the Stros need another starter (They could have a decent rotation of Oswalt, Backe, Williams, Wandy, and Sampson next year, which isn't bad), ownership may decide that they don't trust the young kids enough to compete, which would be a shame.  However, a deal involving Chad Qualls and RHP Paul Estrada, who many feel is a closer in the making, would work, though the Astros would likely insist on a window to negotiate a contract extension.
• Los Angeles Dodgers – The Dodgers may need some pitching depth, depending on how Derek Lowe and Jason Schmidt are doing, along with the troubles that have come with Esteban Loaiza.  Garland not only could be a horse in that lineup, he would also allow them to acquire a pair of picks by letting Garland leave.  While Kenny Williams would likely demand Jonathan Broxton in any deal, the Dodgers could instead offer him Rafael Furcal and Takashi Saito, filling two needs at once, along with allowing the Dodgers to allow their top shortstop prospect, Chin-lung Hu, to move into Furcal’s place at short.
• New York Mets – El Duque is likely done, leaving a potential rotation of Glavine, Martinez, Maine, and Perez, with some semblance of Mike Pelfrey or Philip Humber attempting to be the fifth starter.  Minaya likes to go for the big splash and, to be fair, Garland isn't a bad fit here.  However, New York doesn't have anything that fits with what Williams was asking for, unless a deal can be done for Aaron Heilman and Humber/Pelfrey.
• Seattle Mariners – Oddly enough, I do like the fit here with the Mariners.  Garland would move to a nice, spacious ballpark, would have an excellent infield defense behind him with Gold Glove candidates everywhere but first and he'd be an improvement over Horacio Ramirez, likely to be a non-tender candidate this winter.  One problem - The Mariners won't trade Brandon Morrow, who would likely have to be a part of any deal to work, though the Mariners could intrigue Williams by offering him Wladimir Valentin, a young outfield prospect that could handle centerfield, but would be a supurb outfield corner thanks to his huge power potential. 

If I Had To Make A Deal - I would do the following:

• Seattle Gets - RHP Jon Garland
• Chicago Gets - OF Wladimir Valentin (he's blocked anyway PF), LHP Eric O'Flaherty, RHP Sean Green

It's not a sexy trade, but it gives Chicago some decent relief help in the bullpen while giving them a potential centerfielder of the future, since it's looking like Ryan Sweeney's power won't ever come and that he might now be able to handle center.

On The Block:  Miguel Tejada

I started this week with a shortstop, so it’s only fitting that I end the week with one. 

Why He’s On The Block: Tejada is getting frustrated at the lack of moves that the Orioles have made.  When he signed with the Orioles, he was convinced that ownership was committed to building a winner.  Since then, the Orioles have had a late season collapse, their lights-out closer signing with a division rival, a steroid scandal, and the starter that was supposed to carry them flaming out into a drunken mess.  He’s also used to being in the post-season, as he was an integral part of those dominating Athletics teams that had a stranglehold over the American League West in the early part of the decade.  Also, the Orioles aren’t going to contend anytime soon.  By the time they are, Tejada will be in his decline phase and will have served no purpose for Baltimore.

Negotiable:  Yes.  The Orioles are under no obligation to trade him.  They can name their price.

What He Offers:  Tejada is still young and can help any team in need of a shortstop.  With that in mind, let’s see who could use Tejada:

·          Plus:  Good defender

·          Plus:  Provides power to a lineup. 

·          Plus:  Makes contact.

·          Plus:  Usually manages to get extra bases.

·          Plus:  Hits both left and right handers well.

·          Minus:  Can be terrible on the field.  Had more errors than Soriano last year.

·          Minus: Expensive player.

·          Minus:  Low on base percentage.

·          Minus:  Wasn’t all that much better on the diamond than Edgar Renteria.

He Stay Or Will He Go:  50%-%50% on him going, but to where?  Lots of teams can use a good offensive shortstop.  So let’s see where he could end up.

·          Boston Red Sox – 25%.   Boston still needs a shortstop, as Alex Gonzalez isn’t the long-term answer.  Tejada is still young enough where he could contribute to Boston for years.  Plus, he’s right handed, a plus when playing in Fenway.  Tejada would also benefit from playing with his buddies in the Boston clubhouse, David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez.  However, Boston would be forced to mortgage the farm for Tejada, and I’m not sure they’re willing to give up Jon Lester, Craig Hansen, and Dustin Pedroia for Tejada.  Still, this is the best fit for him.

·          Houston Astros – 22%.   The Astros almost landed Tejada in the off-season for a pack of Brandon Backe, Adam Everett, and Brad Lidge.  While their interest has almost certainly cooled a bit, they could make a run at Tejada for a package that includes Ezequiel Astacio, Adam Everett, and Chad Qualls, plus pitching prospects Juan Gutierrez and Brian Bogusevic.  It wouldn’t compromise the farm too much, as they would still hold on to their top pitchers in Jason Hirsh, Troy Patton, and Fernando Nieve.  Tejada would protect Lance Berkman in the lineup and provide the Astros with far more punch in their lineup.  Plus, Tejada would be able to take advantage of the left field porch in Minute Maid Park.  He’d do well with the Astros.  And with Leo Mazzone in Baltimore, he’d make be able to help Astacio refine his talent while helping the prospects along.  Everett would do well at shortstop and Qualls would make a fine closer. 

·          Chicago Cubs – 20%.   The Cubs have publicly said that they are backing Ronny Cedeno as their starting shortstop.  But rumor has it that the Cubs aren’t too confident in him and are looking for other options.  Tejada would add an added boost to the Cubbies lineup that they haven’t had since Moises Alou left.  The Cubs reportedly made an offer of Mark Prior and prospects during the off-season.  While Prior is a prime candidate of a person who could use Leo Mazzone’s tutelage, they would have to tack on much more than just prior, like one of their prized young starting pitchers.  That alone would probably scare off the Cubs.

·          Minnesota Twins – 15%.  Minnesota could use Tejada in order to give them that final offensive push that they need.  He would easily be the third or fourth hitter.  But Minnesota has long been shy about giving big contracts.  They would probably shy away from Tejada.

·          Chicago White Sox – 10%.   Tejada would be a upgrade over Juan Uribe.  He would bat fifth after Thome and Konerko, and in the hitters park that is US Cellular, he’d be great.  Again, there is also the matter of what Chicago would have to give up.  In this case, it would have to be their young starter Brandon McCarthy, plus other talent.  Too steep of a price here. 

·          St. Louis Cardinals – 5%.  Tejada would bring some serious thunder into the Cardinals lineup, batting cleanup behind Pujols.  He’d bring the extra offensive push that the Cards lost when they lost Edgar Renteria, plus be in a competitive division, year in and year old, something that Tejada yearns for.  The problem is that this would result in St. Louis having to take on more salary, and with payroll already near $100 million, this is not something they want to do.

·          Colorado Rockies – 3%.  The Rockies could use some power to protect Todd Helton.  However, they neither have the payroll, nor the farm system flexibility that other clubs have, which is a shame, as Tejada would be a monster in the National League, especially at Coors Field

·          Philadelphia Phillies - .0000000000000000000000000000000005%.  No reason, I just.felt like tossing this in to amuse a certain Philly fan that reads the blog.

End Result – Traded to the Boston Red Sox after the 2006 Season.

Adam Eaton went down early this week.  He’s going to be out three months.  At first, I was righteously pissed.  We traded for this guy, and now we aren’t going to see him till June?  (Yankee Fans!!!!  I Feel Your Pain!!!!!)   Then I realized that I really didn’t think Eaton would do well in Texas, and I thought that he’d be traded at the deadline. 

In reality, the Ranger rotation gets stronger without Eaton.  Millwood will be Millwood, no if’s, and’s, or but’s about it.  Padilla strikes me as a good pitcher that will do well in Texas for years to come.  (He’s already said he wants to be a Ranger long term.)  But move Eaton out and put in Kameron Loe as the third starter and what results is a stronger starting three  rotation.  R.A. Dickey, a knuckleballer, is now the fourth starter, of which I am not to thrilled about having him there for a long period of time.  Do I think he’ll give us his best.  Yes.  Will it work?  Who knows?  At the very least, this means that Ranger fans will see many of the stars of the future in the fifth spot.  Very Houston Astros-esque.

I can understand why Randy Johnson is pissed off.  He still should be shot.  The mother of his love child sounds a little shady wanting money up front instead of directly accepting the actual needs of the daughter in question, Heather.  But still, the girl wants to meet her father and have a relationship.  Like it or not, she is your flesh and blood.  Do the right thing Randy.  Meet the girl.  No matter what excuse you can come up with, She’s still your daughter.

On Friday, March 24, Hee Seop Choi was claimed off waivers by the Red Sox.  It’s a decent, low risk pickup by Beantown and will give them more depth at first base if Lowell continues to flounder.  Choi has a good hitters eye and pretty good plate discipline.  He draws walks and hit surprisingly well at Dodger Stadium.  Still, he’s vulnerable against lefty pitching and is rather slow on the bases.  He’s a great defender and is pretty accurate when making the play.  I like it.

It isn’t officially baseball season until we see the following headline:  Kerry Wood and Mark Prior are on the DL.

Anna Benson is on the market.  Anna, we hardly knew ye...

CLOSER

SALARY RANGE: $5 Million - $7 Million USD per year

OPEN PERIOD: Monday, March 6, 2006 to Monday, March 3, 2006

POSITION INFORMATION: Full Time Term appt NTE 3 yrs

DUTY LOCATIONS:   1 vacancy – Atlanta, Georgia

WHO MAY BE CONSIDERED:  Anyone that can hold a lead in the 9^th.

JOB SUMMARY:

Atlanta Braves
Owning the National League East since 1995

In this position you will serve as the closer for the Atlanta Braves.  You will be involved in keeping the lead long enough to earn the save, or if necessary, be able to work to earn the win.  We are looking for someone with the ability to work under pressure and provide a consistent performance over the course of 162 games, plus playoffs.  Must be able to work consecutive nights if necessary. 

KEY REQUIREMENTS:

·          Must be able to throw 93-95 mph, plus a reasonable breaking ball.

·          Must be able to deal with early playoff exits. 

To say that the Atlanta Braves need a closer is an understatement.  While the Braves have done just fine without a solid closer (look at their past performance.  15 Playoff Appearances and 1 World Series Title), a solid closer helps solidify the bullpen and gives you something to build around.  And last I checked, the only time the Braves had a solid option at closer was 2003-2004, when John Smoltz took over the job.  Look at the Mets, who were without a reliable closer all season last year.  While they did go a respectable 83-79, take a look closer at Braden Looper’s record.  8 Blown Saves.  7 Losses.  They finished 6 games behind the Astros for the Wild Card.  Things don’t get any better when you look with Chris Reitsma now out with injury, leaving Oscar Villarreal and Joey Devine as the only other options.  Will Atlanta magically come up with some solution, like aways.  Probably.  They're still going to win that division.  And they'll still bow out in the Divison Series.

Joe Thiesman has got to be the worst football analyst out there.  Monday Night Football is going to be a disaster.

This has got to be the greatest picture I've seen this week: