Astros need a starting pitcher bad.

by 31Boots on Apr 20, 2006 4:55 PM PDT

If Barry Zito is to be traded, flat out, Billy may not be able to get a better deal than what he could get from the Astros right now.

Brandon Backe can't throw a baseball for a minimum of six weeks. So, the Astros now have two rookies in the rotation (Fernando Nieve and Taylor Buchholz), and one of the worst #3s in baseball (Wandy Rodriguez). The Astros also have something very valuable: top tier minor league pitching prospects, specifically Jason Hirsch and Troy Patton. Astros also have a good major league team, and a desperate need for good p.r. after the Bagwell and Clemens debacles.

Barry Zito for Jason Hirsch, Fernando Nieve, and OF prospect Hunter Pence. I think it's within reach, and if so, I think Billy ought to look very fricken hard at it.

We have to be realistic about what Z has given us the past two years. Solid seasons, but not irreplaceable. With $7 million to spend on it, Billy can find us another pitcher, at midseason or sooner, without the resume maybe, but who can replace most of what Z gives us on the field (off the field, not so much, granted).

I'm not in love with idea, and I realize that at some point a line does have to be drawn in the sand, and with Thomas this year, it looks like the time to do that, but, if BB can move Z without significantly hurting this year's team, and at the same tim significantly improve the outlook of the next few teams, it may be too prudent to pass up.

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Just curious

What does this trade do to the back end of our rotation? We have 1.Harden 2.Haren 3.Cupcakes 4.Loiaza and 5.Saarloos? Kennedy? Trading for prospects is always fun, but this team is built to win NOW and everyone likes to forget, Zito has NEVER missed a start and is a damn fine pitcher. How would this trade be an upgrade?

AN is like a conservative think tank, minus the conservatives.

by haren4prez on Apr 20, 2006 5:01 PM PDT reply actions

re

Not trying to be a dick but,

"With $7 million to spend on it, Billy can find us another pitcher, at midseason or sooner, without the resume maybe, but who can replace most of what Z gives us on the field (off the field, not so much, granted)."

by 31Boots on Apr 20, 2006 5:32 PM PDT up reply actions

I saw that

but you cant replace a pitcher, who, when he's on is almost unhittable and a southpaw to boot. Also, as I stated above, Zito has NEVER missed a start. You can't replace that at mid season. If you could, it would cost a lot more than seven million. That's why a lot of teams are still very high on him even after a couple of "shaky" starts. I'm just burned out on the daily Trade Zito posts. It's nothing personal. He is better for this team, right now, than anything else out there. It's just that simple.

AN is like a conservative think tank, minus the conservatives.

by haren4prez on Apr 20, 2006 5:38 PM PDT up reply actions

Added to which...

..if the Stro's are so damn hard up for pitching, what makes you think we can replace Zito with someone else if they can't do likewise?

Not a lot of starting pitching out there right now. Granted, we have ample coverage, but why pull the trigger now? Let the Stro's die on the vine and get bulk return on Zito if it hits deadline time and we're out of the running.

Don't you miss the days of martinis and greenies?

by Ozzz on Apr 21, 2006 9:11 AM PDT up reply actions

no way

You totally just listed three of the best prospect's they have.

Sickels has them rated, A-, B+, and B respectively. We didn't even get that kind of return for Mulder or Hudson. Of course i would do that trade, if I was Beane, and if in some alternate reality it was proposed by the Astros. But let's come back to reality.

Get off Joe Kennedy.

by sourstuff on Apr 20, 2006 5:57 PM PDT reply actions

re

Pence might be a reach. They're not particularly high on Nieve though, and Hirsch isn't as well regarded as Buchholz or Patton. We definitely got more for Mulder. Haren is what Hirsch could be, and Calero was lights out in 2004 (i.e. much more than Nieve), plus Barton obviously. This proposed deal doesn't have one established major leaguer. There's also a lot of pressure to make a deal in Houston right now. Nobody knows how Purpua deals. He hasn't made a trade yet.

by 31Boots on Apr 20, 2006 6:05 PM PDT up reply actions

Wow..that trade would really bum me out

And signal that Beane didnt think the A's could win it in 06. I think they need to go for it this year..Never know when you have a chance to win

Bring back Hammer.

by OaktownPower on Apr 20, 2006 6:28 PM PDT reply actions

That's right

We'll get draft picks when we lose Z at the end of the year. I like our chances for a title run with him a lot better than without him.

AN is like a conservative think tank, minus the conservatives.

by haren4prez on Apr 20, 2006 6:30 PM PDT up reply actions

Hmmm

Zito for Berkmann straight up, that way we can cut Kielty.

by jahs34 on Apr 20, 2006 6:39 PM PDT reply actions

I hear Jeff Reboulet is available.

And Tyler Houston.

Either would be ample replacements for Kielty right now.

Don't you miss the days of martinis and greenies?

by Ozzz on Apr 21, 2006 9:13 AM PDT up reply actions

Hey, look, maybe we've

lost 7 of 9 in agonizing fashion, but at least our #3 starter isn't Wandy Rodriguez.

by Nico on Apr 20, 2006 7:15 PM PDT reply actions

i actually like the idea

Out of all the Zito trade diaries, this one actually makes sense. I'd actually want Patton though, because the A's need lefties in the system.

Patton, Nieve and an A ball hitter would suffice. Nieve could take his rotation spot. Of course, i'd rather have Hirsh then those, because Hirsh is MLB ready and would succeed.

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by ohad on Apr 21, 2006 2:39 AM PDT reply actions