I'm in no hurry to see the Houston Astros ever leave the basement of the National League Central Division. Yesterday, they decided Hunter Pence and his $6.9-million dollar contract was too much to bear, so they sent him to the Philadelphia Phillies for a couple of wishes and a couple more prayers. This is exactly the type of trade that makes no sense to me. Pence could go to arbitration, but is under team control for two more years. By superstar baseball standards, he makes next to nothing. There is no reason to move him and if a team ever wants to be good, they have to hang on to guys like Pence. He's only 28 and if the Astros have a plan to become a factor in their division within the next three years, he's still going to be in the prime of his career.
The Astros, who acquired Michael Bourn from the Phillies prior to the 2008 season as the main prospect in a deal that sent Brad Lidge the other way, are now expected to deal Bourn (who makes $4.4-million and is under team control for another year after this one). They are also, reportedly, looking to 'dump' Wandy Rodriguez, who just got a new contract prior to this season. He's scheduled to make $10-million, $13-million, and $13-million over the next three years. Sure, Wandy is just 7-and-7, but he has a 3.47-ERA and is a usual lock for seven innings a start. May the Houston Astros never win another game.
The Colorado Rockies and their dangling of Ubaldo Jimenez is also beyond stupid. He has a long term contract that will pay him $5.75-million at its peak. He signed the four year deal in January 2009. If, in fact, he ends up a Yankee by the end of the trade deadline, then I tip my hat despite my hatred towards them. If no other team can find the resources to get a number two calibre starter who is just 27-years-old, then shame on them.
Tampa Bay puts all of their players on the trade market no matter what their record is, including starting pitcher James Shields. He makes $4.25-million this year and is under full team control until 2014. Granted, his salary is set to escalate, but if you want to be a good team you have to pay players. Shields, we already know, is a good one. It makes no sense to deal him away, even at $7-million next year, if all you are going to get are prospects.
The fans are the real dummies here though. Their teams sell hope based on the fact they collect prospects, but as soon as the prospect matures into a bonafide Major League player, he's shipped off for more...you guessed it...prospects. The fans of these teams (San Diego, Tampa Bay, Houston, Kansas City, etc.) should hold their franchises more accountable by staying away from games.
The reality is that you have to develop prospects and then sign them to long term deals once they mature. If you can complement those guys with a couple of astute trades and a few free agent signings, then you are well on your way to success.
Look at the Boston Red Sox: Jon Lester, Clay Buchholz, Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis, Jonathan Papelbon, Jacoby Ellsbury, Josh Reddick, and Daniel Bard are all home grown through the system. David Ortiz, Josh Beckett, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Jason Varitek, and Tim Wakefield were all brought in through trades that were not necessarily salary dumps by their former teams. Adrian Gonzalez was added via a San Diego dump of salary. Carl Crawford, John Lackey, JD Drew, and Marco Scutaro came through free agency. You know what? The free agents are the worst guys on this list.
The lesson? Develop and sign.
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