Reports are varying on this one. LoneStartBall has the deal as all but complete and TR Sullivan has it as near complete. There will apparently be two mid-tier prospects swapped for Ivan Rodriguez, who will serve as Taylor Teagarden's back up.
I'm not sure why this deal is being made from the Ranger's perspective, and equally confused by this deal from our perspective. Pudge isn't hitting, but with the rumors swirling that he might be kept on in 2010 to help mentor Jason Castro, I don't know why the Astroswould let him go. Because Pudge isn't hitting, I don't know why the Rangers wanted to acquire him for the last six weeks of the season?
Perhaps once the prospects are named and the GM's speak this one will make more sense.
This now opens up the question of whether or not JR Towles will get another crack at the bigs? Or whether Humberto Quintero and Chris Coste will be share catching duties until the season's end?
**UPDATE**
MLBFanHouse is reporting, via twitter, that one of the PTBNL is relief pitcher Matt Nevarez.
**UPDATE**
Jeff Wilson of the Dallas Morning News has the contract information:
***HLP Update***
Jamey Newberg, blogger extraordinnaire and Ranger aficionado, recently ranked the top Rangers prospects and as expected Matt Nevarez isn't in the top 20. However, he is listed as a "pitcher to watch". Given the strength of the Rangers' farm system this isn't necessarily an indictment of Nevarez, but more of a testament to the Rangers' depth.
Here are Nevarez' stats from 2009. Obviously, he has pitched extremely well, but he has a long ways to go before he will be on the Astros' radar screen.
As far as the PTBNL could be, Newberg speclulates that it could be any of a number of minor league players on the Rangers 40 man roster or a minor leaguer that the Astros would have a set time period from which to choose from. If it is a player on the 40 man roster, expect it to be one these guys:
[C]andidates for the second player would conceivably include Thomas Diamond, Luis Mendoza, Joaquin Arias, Jose Vallejo, or Greg Golson. I leave players like Guillermo Moscoso, Warner Madrigal, Omar Poveda, Max Ramirez, and Brandon Boggs off because I don’t think Texas would include them in a deal like this.
Their 40 man roster in its entirety can be found here. None of those players Newberg lists as likely candidates are all that enticing in my opinion, so hopefully Wade can choose from more than just those five. However, considering that he's only giving up a 37 year old backup catcher whose mired in 1.5 season+ hitting slump, don't get overly optimistic on that front.
**UPDATE**
Richard Justice likes this trade because and thinks the Astros should continue to blow up their roster so that we can give younger players looks. There's overly insightful in his piece, except for this:
0 recs | 17 comments
im all in for mentoring
but still love the deal no matter what…get rid of his ridiculous salary and his suckiness hitting…maybe stros will get ausmus next year as a coach to help him…u know biggio can help him too
EveryHoustonTeamRox! - August 18, 2009
From a Rangers perspective:
Our starting catcher, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, has been out on-and-off for the last month with what they’re calling a ‘strained shoulder’. We need a backup catcher and have a deep farm system, so were in a position to deal. As far as his offense goes, compared to our current catchers, it’s a lateral move at worst.
Good move for the Rangers, imo. Interested to see who the ‘mid-tier’ prospects are.
jam0152 - August 18, 2009
I saw on another forum
that Saltalamacchia may have thoracic outlet syndrome. That would likely be a season-ending, and possibly career-ending, issue. Certainly unfortunate for him, but it makes the Pudge acquisition make a little more sense, at least to me. It may be a lateral move offensively, but if you’re going to need someone to replace a player you know is going down, why not get a beloved veteran with strong post-season experience?
Danyah - August 18, 2009
I've been trying to find the link
But I’ve read thoracic outlet syndrome as well. If I can find in my history, I’ll post it.
Stephen Higdon - August 18, 2009
Gave up just a few seconds too soon
Stephen Higdon - August 18, 2009
JR Richard
Wikipedia says it (undiagnosed) was the cause of JR Richard’s stroke.
Xan - August 19, 2009
awesome
very happy, regardless of whom we received in trade.
Only_A_Lad - August 18, 2009
Towles is still on the DL, right?
When is he supposed to come back? I would like to think that the Astros might consider a Coste/Towles combination at catcher.
clack - August 18, 2009
I'd love to see this combo
You have to wonder if this is Drayton McLane waving the white flag on the season, and if we could see other moves made soon.
Timothy De Block - August 18, 2009
Isn't Quintero Wandy's personal catcher?
They won’t break that up this season
Joe in Birmingham - August 18, 2009
if we can get
max ramirez outta this deal, that’d be sick!
EveryHoustonTeamRox! - August 18, 2009
I still stubbornly beleive Cooper will NOT be fired, because:
1) There are too many excuses, repeatedly over-emphasized by the media, for his failure this year, and they overshadow his incredible weaknesses as a manager of players and strategic situations.
2) Bud Selig may not give his permission (don’t laugh, you know it’s true). Drayton doesn’t do anything without Bud’s OK.
3) The biggest reason that the Astros won’t fire Cooper – because it would be the right thing to do.
bwhite2323 - August 18, 2009
I don't get it
Why would Selig have a say? And assuming so, why would he have a problem with Cooper being fired?
Johnny C - August 18, 2009
Selig lobbied for Cecil Cooper to get hired.
Cecil Cooper played for Milwaukee when Bud Selig was the owner.
Timothy De Block - August 19, 2009
Selig & Drayton
1. Selig was very influential in having Drayton approved as an owner when the majority of other owners were extremely indifferent about accepting Drayton.
2. They have developed a very close working relationship (i.e. Drayton sucks up to him at every opportunity)
3. Selig is “very concerned” about the number of Black managers in the majors – there was lots of pressure to promote Cooper when Garner was canned. No one else was even interviewed – Cooper became “interim manager” and the word was that other candidates would be considered – never happened.
bwhite2323 - August 19, 2009
There are plenty of other minority candidates who would be better managers than Cecil Cooper. That could mollify Selig if that is his hang up. I don’t know to what extent Selig was more interested in the decision simply because he is close friends with Cooper, though. However, that kind of consideration should have no effect on the Commissioner’s meddling. And even Selig should know that.
clack - August 19, 2009
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