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Trade Bait: Astacio for Elarton and Cash
Pedro Astacio was supposedly the best pitcher available at the trade deadline. Maybe its me, but 6-13 with a 5.49 ERA is not my idea of enticing. Pedro does have a 4.26 ERA on the road though and many expect him to be very close to that lower ERA with the Astros. Does anyone else realize that the Astros’ new stadium was more conductive to offense than Coors last year? Mr. Hunsicker, don’t expect Pedro to be your savior and ticket to the playoffs.
As for Elarton, his delivery is so messed up now, it can only get worse in Coors where the air has more of an impact on a pitcher than the stadium in Houston. I thought that he could fix everything in the offseason and return next year and perform like he did in 2000, not anymore…he’s cannon fodder.
As for the trade overall, the total impact will be seen in about a year. By then we’ll see if Pedro helped the Astros and if Elarton straightened everything out. In the end, I believe the Rockies won. O’Dowd got rid of salary, an inconsistent pitcher, and took on a decent pitcher if he straightens out his delivery. Yet another trade goes to O’Dowd and the Rockies.
Trade Bait: Urbina for Ohka, Rundles
Urbina has been the subject of trade rumors for years and it has reached a crescendo the past few months. Once going to the Yankees this year (failed physical), he is now going to their rival. Boston’s pen has been overworked as of late and adding Urbina should improve the pen vastly. Urbina should push Lowe to step up and dominate as a closer and should improve himself over time. His 4.24 ERA isn’t that impressive, although his 57 K’s in 46.2 innings pitched is good. Throwing 95mph doesn’t hurt either. Urbina is coming off of surgery and should be much better next year, if the Sox can keep him. This year is another issue, but he should give a decent boost to a veteran bullpen.
Ohka has been a highly regarded prospect in the Sox organization for a couple years and could become a good number four starter over time. He might could use more seasoning in the minors which, has produced some quality starters for the rest of the teams in the majors (not the Expos).
Rich Rundles is a decent arm out of Boston. The constant lack of lefties in the majors improves his worth to any organization. He should turn into a good pickup, whether it be a starter or a specialist in the bullpen.
I believe that Boston won this trade, depending on how Rundles turns out. The Sox have Urbina a for another year and he should be much better next year. Now, can they overtake the Yankees and go to the elusive October Classic. Hmmm???
Trade Bait: Todd Walker for Alex Ochoa
Todd Walker was touted as the next star in Minnesota a few years back, words said about the manager and poor production landed Todd in the Rockies organization. He then took over the second base job for the Rockies on a full time basis until the next star would come along (presumably Brent Butler…not Bret). Todd has put up good numbers this year (.298, 13 HR, 60 some RBIs) and is a tempting player for Cincinnati who has to play Pokey at short with Larkin’s legs giving up on him.
Alex Ochoa is the type of player that I have loved for years. I have watched him since his days with the Mets. If I could have a team full of players that hit .300 with about 20 dingers and very good speed (along with good pitching), I would have a definite contender. Ochoa only has seven homers this year, but last year his OPS was incredible for a forth outfielder and was on pace for over 20 homers.
On paper this looks like a good trade for the Reds, Walker looks to have more pop in his bat and power is an interestingly growing commodity in the majors at his position. Yet how did Walker do outside of Coors? With a .230 average, .300 OBP and .326 slugging percentage it gets scary. A .626 OPS is not a tempting number to look at. He should do a little better than those numbers (about .750 OPS) the rest of the year.
Ochoa on the other hand should flourish, much like Jeffrey Hammonds, in Coors. He also has the speed that the Rockies needs with Hollandsworth out. Rockies took this trade, but Walker should be a decent player for the Reds though.
The Dye/Perez/Prospects three-way trade with Oakland and Kansas City improved the second base position for the Rockies for years to come. Oakland’s Jose Ortiz will be a star at the position once he learns some strike-zone discipline.
