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General Astros thought and opinion.Thursday, July 05, 2012
The ramifications of the Carlos Lee trade.
As reported by several sources, Carlos Lee had been traded to Miami, whom I targeted as a legitimate trade partner here.
Moving Lee likely results in Brett Wallace being recalled from Oklahoma City, and given first base repetitions through the end of 2012. Wallace is a likely seat warmer for franchise top prospect Jon Singleton, but it gives the front office a chance to see if Wallace's bat sees him move to designated hitter, or traded, once Singleton takes over.
The Astros acquired Marlins top prospect Matt Dominguez, along with left-handed pitcher Rob Rasmussen, in return for Lee and a sizeable chunk of his remaining $18 million salary.
Dominguez profiles as a slick glove at third base, but his bat never developed much past mediocre in his minor league ascent since the Marlins drafted him in the first round in 2007. This acquisition helps fill in the organizational sink hole that is third base depth, and likely provides competition for Chris Johnson. He could be seen as Johnson's replacement should the Astros cash in on his offensive revival this year.
That competition begins now, as Dominguez will be reporting to the Astros in Pittsburgh.
Rasmussen had a 4-7 record and 3.90 ERA for the Marlins A affiliate in Jupiter, Florida. Rasmussen is slight of build, but has 75 strikeouts and a 1.35 WHIP in 87.2 innings this year, and ranked as the number nine overall prospect in the Marlins system. According to his MiLB profile, his contract has already been assigned to AA Corpus Christi. MLB's Jonathan Mayo profiles him as a number four type starter on the major league level.
The fact that Luhnow received anything for Lee, while having to pick up a large of portion Lee's remaining money, is promising. Lee wanted to remain in Houston, but he had become a round-hole, square peg, problem for the Astros. His presence didn't result in success on the major league level for the Astros for, at least, the last two years.
What I think it means:
Brett Wallace is the starting first baseman for the balance of 2012. While Zachary Leving suggests that Chris Johnson and Matt Downs could see time at first base, it benefits the franchise most to see what they have in Wallace. I'd hope Brad Mills isn't going to get cute with a platoon, because it does the Astros no good long-term to sit Wallace against left-handed pitching.
Chris Johnson needs to keep his bags packed. Injury aside, Chris Johnson has been okay with the bat and atrocious in the field. Dominguez is, right now, the opposite of that, and the team will likely give Dominguez a chance to work out his issues on the major league level.
Jeff Juhnow's determination should not be understated. Rebuffed by Lee this past weekend, Luhnow moved to a list of teams Lee couldn't block a trade too. He received a solid return for a player who didn't fit anymore. Trades moving Wandy Rodriguez, Brett Myers and possibly Chris Johnson are coming, in my opinion, sooner rather than closer to the July 31st trade deadline. There's simply no sense in waiting until any of the rumored trade pieces get hurt or lose any substantial value.
Moving Lee likely results in Brett Wallace being recalled from Oklahoma City, and given first base repetitions through the end of 2012. Wallace is a likely seat warmer for franchise top prospect Jon Singleton, but it gives the front office a chance to see if Wallace's bat sees him move to designated hitter, or traded, once Singleton takes over.
The Astros acquired Marlins top prospect Matt Dominguez, along with left-handed pitcher Rob Rasmussen, in return for Lee and a sizeable chunk of his remaining $18 million salary.
Dominguez profiles as a slick glove at third base, but his bat never developed much past mediocre in his minor league ascent since the Marlins drafted him in the first round in 2007. This acquisition helps fill in the organizational sink hole that is third base depth, and likely provides competition for Chris Johnson. He could be seen as Johnson's replacement should the Astros cash in on his offensive revival this year.
That competition begins now, as Dominguez will be reporting to the Astros in Pittsburgh.
Rasmussen had a 4-7 record and 3.90 ERA for the Marlins A affiliate in Jupiter, Florida. Rasmussen is slight of build, but has 75 strikeouts and a 1.35 WHIP in 87.2 innings this year, and ranked as the number nine overall prospect in the Marlins system. According to his MiLB profile, his contract has already been assigned to AA Corpus Christi. MLB's Jonathan Mayo profiles him as a number four type starter on the major league level.
The fact that Luhnow received anything for Lee, while having to pick up a large of portion Lee's remaining money, is promising. Lee wanted to remain in Houston, but he had become a round-hole, square peg, problem for the Astros. His presence didn't result in success on the major league level for the Astros for, at least, the last two years.
What I think it means:
Brett Wallace is the starting first baseman for the balance of 2012. While Zachary Leving suggests that Chris Johnson and Matt Downs could see time at first base, it benefits the franchise most to see what they have in Wallace. I'd hope Brad Mills isn't going to get cute with a platoon, because it does the Astros no good long-term to sit Wallace against left-handed pitching.
Chris Johnson needs to keep his bags packed. Injury aside, Chris Johnson has been okay with the bat and atrocious in the field. Dominguez is, right now, the opposite of that, and the team will likely give Dominguez a chance to work out his issues on the major league level.
Jeff Juhnow's determination should not be understated. Rebuffed by Lee this past weekend, Luhnow moved to a list of teams Lee couldn't block a trade too. He received a solid return for a player who didn't fit anymore. Trades moving Wandy Rodriguez, Brett Myers and possibly Chris Johnson are coming, in my opinion, sooner rather than closer to the July 31st trade deadline. There's simply no sense in waiting until any of the rumored trade pieces get hurt or lose any substantial value.
posted by dirty steve # 7:37 AM 
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