Astrodomain-Houston Astros
General Astros thought and opinion.Monday, July 09, 2012
23 days left - where does Wandy go?
Since I was 25% correct in naming Carlos Lee's eventual destination, I figured I'd try my hand at finding a home for Wandy Rodriguez.
His contract:
2012 - $10 million, of which approximately $5 million is still owed.
2013 - $13 million.
2014 - $13 million. This year becomes a player option if Rodriguez is traded during the length of the deal.
The market:
The addition of the second wild-card slot in each league keeps more teams in the playoff race, hence (potentially) more buyers. Those new to contention like Baltimore or Pittsburgh can now compete with richer markets for coveted arms and bats. The Cubs likely have Matt Garza and Ryan Dempster for sale, while the Brewers are mulling an auction for pitchers Zack Greinke and Shaun Marcum. It might be smart to move Wandy before the market is flooded with quality starting pitching.
Interested parties:
Baltimore - The Orioles have been in contact with the Astros regarding Wandy as recently as July 7th. They currently sit in second place in the competitive AL East, firmly entrenched for one of the wild-card spots. Pitchers Brian Matusz and Tommy Hunter were demoted, leaving Jason Hammel and Wei-Yin Chen as anchors at the top of the rotation.
Potential deal: Rodriguez plus $15 million for RHP Parker Bridwell, LHP Tim Berry and LHP Mike Belfiore.
Texas - The two-time defending AL champs will have two strong options in Yu Darvish and Matt Harrison, but Derek Holland has been hurt and inconsistent and Roy Oswalt plain bad. They will ask Philadelphia about Cole Hamels and Milwaukee about Zack Greinke.
Potential deal: Rodriguez plus $15 million for RHP Cody Buckel (AA), RHP Luke Jackson (A-Advanced) and C Brett Nicholas (A-Advanced).
Toronto - No fault of a stout middle of the order anchored by Jose Bautista, Edwin Encarnacion and Colby Rasmus, the Jays stand mired in last place in the AL East. Three of their starters are on the disabled list, with one out until next year in Kyle Drabek. General Manager Alex Anthopoulos said he prefers players with multiple years of club control remaining beyond this one, something Jeff Luhnow could send north. They are also one of the teams most interested in the left-hander.
Potential deal: Rodriguez plus $15 million for LHP Justin Nicolino (A), C A.J. Jimenez (AA) and RHP Adonys Cardona (R - GCL).
New York (AL) - CC Sabathia, Hiroki Kuroda, Phil Hughes and Phil Hughes are the unquestioned 1-2-3 atop the Yankees rotation, but Freddy Garcia is sporting 5.23 ERA and Andy Pettitte is out until late August with an ankle injury.
Potential deal: Rodriguez and $13 million for OF Tyler Austin (A), RHP Bryan Mitchell (A) and RHP Mark Montgomery (A - Advanced).
Atlanta - The Braves could chase Wandy as insurance more than anything. Tim Hudson's ankle is acting up again, and a bit of the shine has been rubbed off phenom Mike Minor.
Potential deal: Rodriguez and $15 million for LHP Sean Gilmartin (AA) and RHP Billy Bullock (RHP).
I think the Braves, Orioles and Blue Jays are or will be in contention for playoff spots. A veteran like Wandy Rodriguez could help stabilize the mid-to-back half of a rotation. Give me the Braves to trump an offer an offer from the O's and Jays to help fend off the Nationals and Mets in the NL East.
contract information from Cot's Baseball Contracts.
thoughts? send me a comment here or @steveinLC.
His contract:
2012 - $10 million, of which approximately $5 million is still owed.
2013 - $13 million.
2014 - $13 million. This year becomes a player option if Rodriguez is traded during the length of the deal.
The market:
The addition of the second wild-card slot in each league keeps more teams in the playoff race, hence (potentially) more buyers. Those new to contention like Baltimore or Pittsburgh can now compete with richer markets for coveted arms and bats. The Cubs likely have Matt Garza and Ryan Dempster for sale, while the Brewers are mulling an auction for pitchers Zack Greinke and Shaun Marcum. It might be smart to move Wandy before the market is flooded with quality starting pitching.
Interested parties:
Baltimore - The Orioles have been in contact with the Astros regarding Wandy as recently as July 7th. They currently sit in second place in the competitive AL East, firmly entrenched for one of the wild-card spots. Pitchers Brian Matusz and Tommy Hunter were demoted, leaving Jason Hammel and Wei-Yin Chen as anchors at the top of the rotation.
Potential deal: Rodriguez plus $15 million for RHP Parker Bridwell, LHP Tim Berry and LHP Mike Belfiore.
Texas - The two-time defending AL champs will have two strong options in Yu Darvish and Matt Harrison, but Derek Holland has been hurt and inconsistent and Roy Oswalt plain bad. They will ask Philadelphia about Cole Hamels and Milwaukee about Zack Greinke.
Potential deal: Rodriguez plus $15 million for RHP Cody Buckel (AA), RHP Luke Jackson (A-Advanced) and C Brett Nicholas (A-Advanced).
Toronto - No fault of a stout middle of the order anchored by Jose Bautista, Edwin Encarnacion and Colby Rasmus, the Jays stand mired in last place in the AL East. Three of their starters are on the disabled list, with one out until next year in Kyle Drabek. General Manager Alex Anthopoulos said he prefers players with multiple years of club control remaining beyond this one, something Jeff Luhnow could send north. They are also one of the teams most interested in the left-hander.
Potential deal: Rodriguez plus $15 million for LHP Justin Nicolino (A), C A.J. Jimenez (AA) and RHP Adonys Cardona (R - GCL).
New York (AL) - CC Sabathia, Hiroki Kuroda, Phil Hughes and Phil Hughes are the unquestioned 1-2-3 atop the Yankees rotation, but Freddy Garcia is sporting 5.23 ERA and Andy Pettitte is out until late August with an ankle injury.
Potential deal: Rodriguez and $13 million for OF Tyler Austin (A), RHP Bryan Mitchell (A) and RHP Mark Montgomery (A - Advanced).
Atlanta - The Braves could chase Wandy as insurance more than anything. Tim Hudson's ankle is acting up again, and a bit of the shine has been rubbed off phenom Mike Minor.
Potential deal: Rodriguez and $15 million for LHP Sean Gilmartin (AA) and RHP Billy Bullock (RHP).
I think the Braves, Orioles and Blue Jays are or will be in contention for playoff spots. A veteran like Wandy Rodriguez could help stabilize the mid-to-back half of a rotation. Give me the Braves to trump an offer an offer from the O's and Jays to help fend off the Nationals and Mets in the NL East.
contract information from Cot's Baseball Contracts.
thoughts? send me a comment here or @steveinLC.
posted by dirty steve # 9:36 PM 
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