First, a Pudge interview, for your viewing pleasure.
Normally, your TCB writers don't like to speculate or pass along rumors. We like facts, and don't want to play the "maybe this, maybe that" game. Today though, I will make an exception as all we really have to go on is speculation as far as this trade is concerned. Per, Lone Star Ball, a local sports radio show in Dallas has said that the PTBNL is Jose Vallejo, a AAA second baseman. This seems plausible as Jamey Newberg listed Vallejo as one of the possibilities to be the PTBNL.
Again, Nevarez and Vallejo (if indeed he is the PTBNL) aren't going to turn the organization around, but it does, I believe, show that for the first time that I can recall, Drayton McLane, Jr. is willing to accept that his team has significant flaws and that he is going to allow his GM to do what GMs in that situation do. That is, trade away veteran players for younger, less expensive pieces. This deal could backfire potentially- like DQ notes, Pudge was talked about just last week by McLane as possibly being part of the 2010 catcher equation. That still could happen, with Rodriguez being a FA at the end of the season, so we shall see.
It depends on how important you believe "mentoring" is for younger players. Jason Castro is our catcher of the future, but it's unlikely he'd start the 2010 season as such. I don't know what this does to the possibility of Pudge returning to the club in 2010 is, but it certainly leads me to believe that McLane is serious about cutting payroll. If he wasn't keen on paying the rest of Rodriguez' salary for 2009, it's unlikely that he would sign a veteran catcher with diminishing skills like Pudge this offseason.
The Astros were lacking sorely in up the middle players, and Vallejo is now an option. From everything I've read, he cannot play SS, so he's stuck behind Kaz Matsui for a season. A bench role, is an optimistic future for Vallejo, as he offers speed, defense and little else. Maybe he figures it out offensively, but the odds are stacked against him.
Will this be the last move that Ed Wade makes? I would never have guessed that Pudge would be leaving, and the Astros certainly have veterans that other teams could use in pennant chases. LaTroy Hawkins is one such name. Miguel Tejada and Jose Valverde are two other options, but they'd have to pass through waivers first, and being bigger names don't bet on it. Interesting times though....
0 recs | 18 comments
An important note
that i picked up from the previous post, was that the Rangers would be on the hook for the entire remainder of this year’s salary INCLUDING THE $1.5MM BONUS.
Sounds like we get some potentially high upside minor league depth, although no surefire top-of-the-system guys. As far out of the race as we are, I’m cool with cutting some fat and adding to the farm. Like others, I wonder if there is more to follow or if this is just a unique individual opportunity capitalized on.
littlevisigoth - August 18, 2009
looked at Cot's for more details
he gets performance bonuses for plate appearances, which start at 350 TPA ($200K each for 350, 375, 400, 425, and 450). He’s at 344 right now. He also gets bonuses for games played ($150k for 90 and it looks like $350k for 100). He’s at 93 right now. So he’ll probably collect $950k-$1.15MM in bonuses between now and the end of the season that the Astros won’t be on the hook for.
littlevisigoth - August 18, 2009
Vallejo & Nevarez evalauation (I need to get the nzame of the original writer)
Jose Vallejo is a 22 year old middle infielder playing in AAA and hitting .233/.282/.307 in 84 games for the Redhawks. Matt Nevarez, 22, is pitching for Low A Hickory.
Vallejo is the more prominent name here, a top 20 prospect in a system that was stacked coming into the season, and someone observers who had the opportunity to watch him last year thought more highly of than that. He has a high ceiling due to his athleticism and baseball tools, but his stock is down as a result of his offensive struggles this season. He is the second fairly prominent middle infield prospect that Houston has acquired from Texas this summer, after the Astros claimed German Duran on waivers last month.
Nevarez has his stock moving in the opposite direction. He is a hard throwing reliever who was highly regarded going into the 2005 draft, but after being picked in just the tenth round by Texas he battled injuries and miserable control problems for three years. He has broken out to a degree this season, saving nine games for the Crawdads and putting up a line of 35 IP, 22 H, 15 BB, 50 K and just 1 HR. His stuff is quality, but as his walk rate indicates, he still struggles some with control and command. He will present the Astros with a potentially tricky roster decision in the near future because he’s taken so long to get his feet under him in full season ball.
Joe in Birmingham - August 18, 2009
Brett Perryman of Dallas Morning News wrote the evaluation
Extra downside information: Matt Nevarez , currently in A Ball, will be a Rule 5 player this winter.
Joe in Birmingham - August 18, 2009
Additional Nevarez Notes
Matt Nevarez was signed at the age of 18 and has been in the Rangers’ organization for 4 years, so he will be eligible for the Rule 5 draft at the end of the season. Look for the Astros to protect him after the season is over by placing him on the 40-man roster, but putting him at AA (similar to what they did with Polin Trinidad this year).
AstroAndy - August 18, 2009
Rangers is a good fit for Pudge
If for no other reason , I remember the overwhelming Texas crowd appreciation showed Pudge when Astros played there this season.
Joe in Birmingham - August 18, 2009
The Astros' post on Facebook
says the trade if for Nevarez and TWO players to be named later. Anyone see any confirmation elsewhere?
Danyah - August 18, 2009
I've seen varying reports all over the Twitter-sphere
Stephen Higdon - August 18, 2009
Never mind
Both the Chronicle’s and astros.com’s revised releases state two players to be named.
Danyah - August 18, 2009
The Rangers' release
says that the second player will be moved only if the Rangers make the playoffs.
Danyah - August 19, 2009
Go Rangers?
This puts me in a pickle.
Stephen Higdon - August 19, 2009
Same quandary
on a positive bent, however, if Rangers make the playoffs, the Red Sox don’t
Joe in Birmingham - August 19, 2009
I asked Alyson Footer how this trade came about
Her response:
Stephen Higdon - August 18, 2009
Somewhere I read
Ed Wade rejected Rangers first offer . Rengers came back a day or two later with a “better” offer.
I can only imagine what the first offer was.
Joe in Birmingham - August 18, 2009
as one of the fan posts noted a week or so ago....
The Astros pulled Tejada off waivers when he was claimed. Therefore, there is almost zero possibility that he will be traded, since he can’t be put on waivers again without being lost with no trade compensation. I doubt that Hawkins or Valverde would clear waivers.
Nevarez looks promising. That is quite a strike out rate in A ball. I have a hard time seeing much potential in Vallejo, given that his offense seems to get progressively worse the more he advances in the farm system. At worst, I suppose Vellejo provides a body at 2d base in Round Rock to replace Kata, if Maysonet is on the ML roster.
clack - August 18, 2009
Since the he’s had success at low A, and a loaded rangers system has probably prevented his advancement, will Nevarez be assigned to AA for a better look at him for a few relief appearances, or will he just get sent to Lancaster?
Subber10 - August 18, 2009
I’d like to see him go to Corpus, but who knows?
clack - August 18, 2009
heard he was going to lancaster
EveryHoustonTeamRox! - August 18, 2009
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