Anderson Traded to the Braves...

[Stevierebel]

Astros acquire right-hander Villarreal from Atlanta

http://houston.astros.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20071116&content_id=2301963&vkey=pr_hou&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou

HOUSTON -- The Houston Astros announced today that the club has acquired right-handed pitcher Oscar Villarreal from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for outfielder Josh Anderson. The Astros also signed outfielder Yordany Ramirez, formerly of the San Diego organization, to a Major League contract that includes a spot on the 40-man roster. The announcement was made by Astros General Manager Ed Wade.
"Oscar Villarreal gives us another experienced, durable arm for the bullpen," said Wade. "He has the ability to pitch late in a game, throw multiple innings and pitch back-to-back days. We gave up a good, young prospect in Josh Anderson, but with the additions of Michael Bourn and Yordany Ramirez, along with our earlier waiver claim of Reggie Abercrombie, we had the outfield depth to make this move."

"Yordany Ramirez ranks as one of the top defensive outfielders at the higher minor league levels, and we think that he will continue to make significant progress with the bat. Felix Francisco, our recently hired Director of Latin American Scouting, originally signed Yordany while working for the San Diego Padres, and he thinks that Yordany will develop into a front-line big league player. There were several teams pursuing Ramirez, and we thought enough of his ability to sign him to a Major League contract."

Villarreal, who turns 26 on November 22, was 2-2 with one save and a 4.24 ERA (36ER/76.1IP) in 51 games for Atlanta in 2007. The right-hander has appeared in 223 career Major League games and owns a 23-12 record with one save and a 3.71 career ERA (123ER/298.1IP). He has pitched the last two seasons for the Braves (2006-07) after three big league seasons with Arizona (2003-05). Villarreal was acquired by the Braves in December of 2005 along with right-hander Lance Cormier in exchange for catcher Johnny Estrada. He was originally signed by Arizona as a non-drafted free agent on Nov. 6, 1998.

During his rookie season of 2003, Villarreal pitched in a National League rookie-record 86 games and finished 10-7 with a 2.57 ERA (28ER/98IP). His 86 appearances in 2003 also set the Major League record for the most in one season by a pitcher from Mexico, eclipsing the previous mark of 84 set by Enrique Romo of Pittsburgh in 1979.

Anderson, 25, hit .358 (24x67) with three doubles and 11 runs batted in during 21 games with the Astros in 2007. He played in 132 games at Triple A Round Rock, hitting .273 (140x513) with two home runs, 43 RBI, and 40 stolen bases. Anderson was selected by Houston in the fourth round of the June 2003 draft.

The 23-year-old Ramirez is a native of Boca Chica, DR and hit .269 (77x286) with four home runs, 43 RBI, and 22 stolen bases for Class A Lake Elsinore of the San Diego organization in 2007. He also played in 30 games for Triple A Portland this season, hitting .315 (40x127) with four home runs, 18 RBI, and six stolen bases. Ramirez is currently playing for Licey in the Dominican Winter League, hitting .344 (11x32) with five RBI in 12 games.

In Baseball America's 2007 Best Tools Survey, Ramirez was tabbed as being the Best Defensive Outfielder and the player with the Best Outfield Arm in the San Diego organization. He was originally signed as a non-drafted free agent on Apr. 23, 2001.

[rikesh316]

Good trade. Josh Anderson is nothing but a 4th outfielder. His minor league stats are more telling than his September run he had. Oscar is a solid 7th innings guy.

[RocketFan007]

Looks like a good trade to me. We traded a player who really didn't have a place on the team for a pretty good bullpen arm. I'll take that. It will interesting to see what happens with Ramirez.

[leroy420]

That's a pretty good deal. Turned a September hot streak from a guy who was unlikely to make the club again into a good reliever. Can't argue about that.

Then signed another young OF prospect with speed to burn.

I have nothing but good things to say about Ed Wade to this point.

[JayZ750]

Who is this guy Yordany Ramirez?? Class A to triple A to guaranteed spot on major league roster, at 23, sounds like a serious prospect, right?

[MadMax]

i don't remember seeing villarreal pitch...but this sounds good.

[DOMINATOR]

very nice deal.
figured luke scott would have been in a deal like this instead of anderson. so have the braves announced if Anderson will be the starting CF?

[OldManBernie]

Who is this guy Yordany Ramirez?? Class A to triple A to guaranteed spot on major league roster, at 23, sounds like a serious prospect, right?

His stats isn't very good except for his short stint in AAA last year. Also, he was playing in the PCL, so you have to take his offensive improvements with a grain of salt.

I doubt he will be anything more than a 5th outfielder/pinch runner at the major league level.

http://www.thebaseballcube.com/players/R/Yordany-Ramirez.shtml

[K mf G]

josh anderson is now destined to become the next kenny lofton

[RocketFan007]

Who is this guy Yordany Ramirez?? Class A to triple A to guaranteed spot on major league roster, at 23, sounds like a serious prospect, right?

Last year between A and AAA, he hit .283 with 8 homers, 61 RBI and a .714 OPS. He's still only 23, has good speed (28 steals last season) and plus defense. I'm intrigued.

[RocketFan007]

Here's a taste of Ramirez's defensive abilities:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpLIOOg4xro

[weslinder]

Here's a taste of Ramirez's defensive abilities:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpLIOOg4xro

Wow!!

Nice trade for Villareal, though. He can be an inning-eater when you need one.

[Ottomaton]

If you look at the braves roster at MLB.com there is a video highlight of a start that Villareal had for the Braves. According to it he 'throws as high as 96 mph'. The video shows a few nice sinkers with horizontal tailing action away from lefties and a decent slider with a small but late break. All of the highlight pitches are low in the zone. Not sure if he can throw consistently, of course. And he throws from slightly below three quarters.

[htownbball]

dont get too excited about yordany. no plate discipline and he has pretty much no track record of success. raw tools is what he's all about. lets see if he can polish his skills

[DoitDickau]

Not bad

[OldManBernie]

dont get too excited about yordany. no plate discipline and he has pretty much no track record of success. raw tools is what he's all about. lets see if he can polish his skills

He is still pretty young, and he has a couple years before he is considered old for a prospect.

[rikesh316]

Great catch by Yordany

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpLIOOg4xro

[torque]

I think, especially in the NL Central, it's little, cost-effective, moves like this that will really do us a lot of good. I would look to trade Luke Scott for a middle of the rotation starter, pick up another reliever, and sign one of Castillo, Matsui or Iguchi for 2nd base, and be set.

[Chuck 4]

<~~~Braves Fan

Oscar is going to have those nights where he is so solid you begin to wonder if he could close out games for you. Then other nights, I dont think he could get his grandmother out.

Not a bad trade for just Anderson.

[Hammer755]

As a Braves fan, I'm extremely disappointed by this trade. I've been saying it for awhile, but Anderson is a nobody. Speedy guys who can't get on base and have no pop are utterly worthless. Villarreal is no star, but he's only 25 and is an average reliever who can start in a pinch. Astros win this deal in a big way.

[SwoLy-D]

Very nice pickups by the Astros. :cool:

[Chuck 4]

As a Braves fan, I'm extremely disappointed by this trade. I've been saying it for awhile, but Anderson is a nobody. Speedy guys who can't get on base and have no pop are utterly worthless. Villarreal is no star, but he's only 25 and is an average reliever who can start in a pinch. Astros win this deal in a big way.

Ah, so Im not the lone Brave here. I can only assume this means theyre planning on bringing up Joey Devine or moving Chuck James to the pen. With Dotel likely done in Atlanta, I dont like this to be honest...

[Hammer755]

Ah, so Im not the lone Brave here. I can only assume this means theyre planning on bringing up Joey Devine or moving Chuck James to the pen. With Dotel likely done in Atlanta, I dont like this to be honest...

Pitching is by the club's biggest hole, so I don't see why you would move a decent young arm for a 4th outfielder. James is their 3rd-best starter (even if Glavine signs, which I expect), so I really hope they don't move him out of the rotation.

[Major]

Last year between A and AAA, he hit .283 with 8 homers, 61 RBI and a .714 OPS. He's still only 23, has good speed (28 steals last season) and plus defense. I'm intrigued.

How does this work? He wasn't controlled by any club? Why did San Diego let him go? It seems weird he'd be any kind of good prospect while being a free agent minor-leaguer, no?

[Hammer755]

How does this work? He wasn't controlled by any club? Why did San Diego let him go? It seems weird he'd be any kind of good prospect while being a free agent minor-leaguer, no?

Players who spend 6 years in the minor leagues can declare free agency if they are not added to an organization's 40-man roster.

[Big Shot Bob]

How does this work? He wasn't controlled by any club? Why did San Diego let him go? It seems weird he'd be any kind of good prospect while being a free agent minor-leaguer, no?

Rule 5 maybe? I dunno we picked up abercrombie off wavers and we got santana taken away from us. Maybe they just dropped him from the 40 man roster in favor of another prospect or trying to make room for free agency. The astros dropped palmiero, ransom and i think some other guy and munson got taken on wavers by the brewers at the begining of the postseason. Also i would like to add that i thought anderson caught lightning in a bottle at the end of the season and wade used a lucky hitting month to get a good deal from another team.

[htownbball]

yordany was a minor league free agent. san diego brought him up to AAA from A ball to see if he was worth adding to the 40 man. guess they didnt think he was, so they let him go

[jopatmc]

I think Wade is setting up a big time multiplayer trade for a superstar pitcher. If we sign a 2nd baseman and get Cordero, we can throw Scott, Burke, Qualls, and a couple prospects out there for Dontrelle. Then re-sign Jennings to be the 3rd starter for $15 mill for a couple years or something like that and we're set.

[DOMINATOR]

I think Wade is setting up a big time multiplayer trade for a superstar pitcher. If we sign a 2nd baseman and get Cordero, we can throw Scott, Burke, Qualls, and a couple prospects out there for Dontrelle. Then re-sign Jennings to be the 3rd starter for $15 mill for a couple years or something like that and we're set.
drugs are bad

[Major]

I think Wade is setting up a big time multiplayer trade for a superstar pitcher. If we sign a 2nd baseman and get Cordero, we can throw Scott, Burke, Qualls, and a couple prospects out there for Dontrelle. Then re-sign Jennings to be the 3rd starter for $15 mill for a couple years or something like that and we're set.

Except Dontrelle Willis and his 5.00+ ERA does not qualify as "superstar pitcher". :(

[jakedasnake]

<~~~Braves Fan

Oscar is going to have those nights where he is so solid you begin to wonder if he could close out games for you. Then other nights, I dont think he could get his grandmother out.

Not a bad trade for just Anderson.

Hey Braves fans, was Villareal a 7th inning or 8th inning setup man?

[BMoney]

Nice move! Anytime you can add solid pitching for a surplus player it's a bonus. I think they are getting some assets together to get a veteran starter, if not a superstar starter.

[Hammer755]

Hey Braves fans, was Villareal a 7th inning or 8th inning setup man?

He was primarily the 7th inning guy, with Rafael Soriano working the 8th before going to the closer Wickman. However, Bobby Cox is pretty erratic with his bullpen use, and Villarreal was often the first guy in from the bullpen if the starter got roughed up or injured.

Villarreal is pretty versatile - he's pitched in pretty much every situation in the bullpen except for being a closer.

[Drewdog]

Except Dontrelle Willis and his 5.00+ ERA does not qualify as "superstar pitcher". :(

He's still young. Roger Clemens' ERA fluxuated from the 2's to the 4's several times in his career.

Im not buying the burnout theory. D-train still has excellent stuff.

[JeopardE]

Except Dontrelle Willis and his 5.00+ ERA does not qualify as "superstar pitcher". :(

Smart investors buy low. There has never been a better time to pitch an offer for Dontrelle Willis IMO.

[Hammer755]

He's still young. Roger Clemens' ERA fluxuated from the 2's to the 4's several times in his career.

Im not buying the burnout theory. D-train still has excellent stuff.

That's a downright terrible comparison. After his rookie year, Clemens didn't allowed more than a hit per inning, nor have a WHIP over 1.26, until he was 32 years old. Willis' hit rate and walk rate have both exploded the last two years.

[Major]

Smart investors buy low. There has never been a better time to pitch an offer for Dontrelle Willis IMO.

Qualls, Scott, Burke and a couple of prospects is not really what I consider "low". The problem is that some team is going to assume they can "fix" Willis and pay out the wazoo, most likely. Hopefully, it won't be the Astros.

[right1]

With the Braves track record with young players, maybe they got a deal w/Anderson. What if Taveras and Anderson both hit .315 next year w/ 50 sb's and Bourn ... oh well, chances of that are pretty slim. Yordany has some tools and is young, but has an eyepopping career obp of like .285 or something, although showing signs of improvement. Villarreal can eat up some innings. Pretty good trade for each team, not that significant for either...waiting for a bigger trade involving Scott and Burke, etc. I would keep Qualls, even if Cordero was signed. Especially if we use our young arms in the rotation and don't get a #2 or #3 starter

[Shaji]

willis has been in decline for at least 3 yrs now...i hope wade doesnt give up that much for him

but this one is a good trade

[Blake]

I like it.

The more I read about this trade, the better I feel. Glad we are addressing needs

[Bobblehead]

As a Braves fan, Astros win this deal in a big way.

WOW the Astros won something?

[Kerfeld]

Good deal. Anderson was not in the plans for the Astros and they used him to get an average yet effective middle reliever. Wade is really trying to rebuild the entire bullpen on the fly. Now, lets hope they get Luis Castillo. Short of signing Castillo, I think Burke should finally given the opportunity to play second.

They need to get rid off Adam Everett!

[Groogrux]

They need to get rid off Adam Everett!

Yeah, who would want the best defensive SS in the game?

[Refman]

Short of signing Castillo, I think Burke should finally given the opportunity to play second.
Yeah, because God knows that I have been chomping at the bit to have a 2B who hits .227. I loves me some holes in the lineup. :rolleyes:

[MaxwellsTemper]

Fantastic trade. I am loving these moves Wade is making.

[jtotheb]

I'm just glad he's doing SOMETHING.

[wrath_of_khan]

I think Jon Garland's next.

[Kerfeld]

Yeah, who would want the best defensive SS in the game?

That is such a tired argument. Sure he is good. He is even great defensively. The offense is just too much of a problem. I know that he can field, but even an average major league ss will make over 90% of the plays. Adam Everett's is a liablilty because of his stick, even if his defense is great.

The fact is that he is on the wrong side of 30 and is coming off a significant injury.

[torque]

That is such a tired argument. Sure he is good. He is even great defensively. The offense is just too much of a problem. I know that he can field, but even an average major league ss will make over 90% of the plays. Adam Everett's is a liablilty because of his stick, even if his defense is great.

The fact is that he is on the wrong side of 30 and is coming off a significant injury.
After Everett went out with an injury last year I watched ball after ball hit to the left side go through for a single, balls that Everett would absolutely be able to reach. Yeah, his batting average is low, but he saves SO many runs, he is worth it.

[Buck Turgidson]

That is such a tired argument. Sure he is good. He is even great defensively. The offense is just too much of a problem. I know that he can field, but even an average major league ss will make over 90% of the plays. Adam Everett's is a liablilty because of his stick, even if his defense is great.
Your only hope is to get a few thousand really classy fans to lustily booo AE on Opening Day. The baseball side of the organization loves AE, so you must appeal directly to Drayton. Good luck.

[Aceshigh7]

I don't see Villarreal as a 7th inning setup type. I see him more as a Russ Springer type that you can bring in when you're down a couple of runs and he can hold em and give you the chance to come back later on. We missed that last season, because Borkowski wasn't cutting it when they tried using him in the Russ Springer type role.

[Puedlfor]

Adam Everett's offense isn't a problem if we didn't have sub-par production from positions you expect to get significant production from.

[BigTex]

I think Jon Garland's next.

what would it take to get him?

burke+scott+?

[br0ken_shad0w]

Adam Everett's offense isn't a problem if we didn't have sub-par production from positions you expect to get significant production from.

QFT. Of course people here think we can just get a shortstop out of the blue (rather than positions easier to replace) or put Burke/Loretta there and call it a day.

[Hammer755]

QFT. Of course people here think we can just get a shortstop out of the blue (rather than positions easier to replace) or put Burke/Loretta there and call it a day.

IMO Loretta should not be considered for a second as an everyday shortstop. Despite the fact that he's hit in the .280's the past 3 seasons, they have not been very productive years offensively - his OBP has been average at best, and he has no extra-base power at all. He's a poor defensive shortstop and would provide only a minimal offensive upgrade. To me, Everett's a hands-down choice at short when compared to Lorreta.

I've been a Burke supporter, but he hasn't shown enough offensively either to simply hand the SS job to him. Everett is one of the worst offensive players in the league, but you can't replace him for the sake of replacing him. The upgrade on offense has to be worth taking his glove off the field, and neither Burke nor Loretta fit that bill.

[blathersby]

I am against this and don't think I can support the Astros until the player from sucklanta gets off the team. I'd rather cheer on cancer.

[Refman]

I am against this and don't think I can support the Astros until the player from sucklanta gets off the team. I'd rather cheer on cancer.
You have some serious issues.

[blathersby]

You have some serious issues.
You have some real trouble understanding hyperbole.

[kona-]

I think Wade is setting up a big time multiplayer trade for a superstar pitcher. If we sign a 2nd baseman and get Cordero, we can throw Scott, Burke, Qualls, and a couple prospects out there for Dontrelle. Then re-sign Jennings to be the 3rd starter for $15 mill for a couple years or something like that and we're set.


Ummm, 15 mil and a couple years just dont go together. AT THE MOST I would give him is 1 year, with very low pay and high incentive. Jennings cant command more then that because after last year, no one is interested.

[kona-]

And hopefully the astros add Iguchi.

[MaxwellsTemper]

Adam Everett's offense isn't a problem if we didn't have sub-par production from positions you expect to get significant production from.
Exactly. Nailed it right on the head.

[Refman]

You have some real trouble understanding hyperbole.
Stating that you'd rather cheer for cancer than somebody who played in Atlanta isn't hyperbole...it's just retarded.

[jopatmc]

Ummm, 15 mil and a couple years just dont go together. AT THE MOST I would give him is 1 year, with very low pay and high incentive. Jennings cant command more then that because after last year, no one is interested.

I don't know what his value is but it is low right now. I wouldn't want to sign him for one year. Everybody always overpays for pitching. If we could sign him to a 3 year deal, we could still trade him fairly easily if he is still getting mauled next year.

[Refman]

I don't know what his value is but it is low right now. I wouldn't want to sign him for one year. Everybody always overpays for pitching. If we could sign him to a 3 year deal, we could still trade him fairly easily if he is still getting mauled next year.
Why do you think that we could trade a pitcher who (at that point) was getting mauled two seasons in a row "fairly easily?"

Who would give value for a pitcher who has been completely ineffective two seasons in a row...unless his name is Dontrelle Willis for some odd reason?