Astros expected to trade Robertson and Saarloos before the season starts

[DoitDickau]

From the Chron:
"Jeriome Robertson, who led the Astros with 15 victories as a rookie last year, will likely be traded before the season starts. If he isn't, he will probably start opening day at New Orleans. Righthander Kirk Saarloos, 24, is another pitcher who will be dealt or in New Orleans this year despite having tasted some success in the majors. Scouts say the Astros are desperately trying to unload Robertson and Saarloos"


http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/2472447



kinda liked saarloos, but i guess it's just a numbers thing. Wonder if they could get any decent for these guys?

[codell]

The thing about Saarloss is, he has to be almost perfect to succeed. If any of this pitches are off, then he will be hammered.

I wouldn't expect much from either one in a trade. Saarloss might bring you another minor leaguer, and Jerome would probably bring you a minor leaguer or some bullpen help.

[Blatz]

I'll miss Saarloss.

I remember his first start, day after he got married (?), they kept showing his wife on TV and she always had her hands covering her eyes before every pitch. They stayed there until someone next to her said it was okay, then she would look.

[leroy420]

Some power off the bench would be nice. I think Mike Lamb was a big mistake (3 errors yesterday). I know it's spring and all, but these were bonehead plays. I wouldnt' mind trying to get a better utility infielder.

[studogg]

I think that Robertson could actually get us something of value. We in houston know that last year was flukish, but outside the are all people see was a rookie who won 15 games last year.

[Rashmon]

I say we keep 'em both.

Clemens is only going to be around 1, maybe 2 seasons.

[Raven Lunatic]

Originally posted by studogg
I think that Robertson could actually get us something of value. We in houston know that last year was flukish, but outside the are all people see was a rookie who won 15 games last year.

Perhaps for the casual fans this is true, but I imagine with video tape and whatnot, GMs will figure out how flukish Robertson's season was. Hell, just look at his ERA and you can figure it out.

[bobrek]

Originally posted by Rashmon
I say we keep 'em both.

Clemens is only going to be around 1, maybe 2 seasons.

The Astros need to win now. They are weak in the left handed reliever department. They are also weak in team speed. They are strong in the starting pitching department. They lack a significant prospect at first base. For the next 3 years, providing all remain healthy, they have 4 set starters. Once Clemens retires they will have Robertson, Fernandez, Hernandez, Buckholz, Saarloos and others fighting for one starting spot. If they can get someone of value for Robertson or Saarloos it, then by all means, they need to do it. In addition, they clear up spot(s) on the 40 man roster.

[studogg]

Originally posted by Raven Lunatic
Perhaps for the casual fans this is true, but I imagine with video tape and whatnot, GMs will figure out how flukish Robertson's season was. Hell, just look at his ERA and you can figure it out.

2 WORDS SCOTT ELARTON

[xiki]

Originally posted by Raven Lunatic
Perhaps for the casual fans this is true, but I imagine with video tape and whatnot, GMs will figure out how flukish Robertson's season was. Hell, just look at his ERA and you can figure it out.

JR was the master of the bad inning. He'll be a modestly successful major leaguer for years, IMO. Anyone's #4 starter, maybe up to #3 in a couple of years. (Maybe not this year's 'stros or Cubbies or Dodgers...)

[RocketFan007]

I've heard on another site that the Indians were interested in Robertson, and that they were working on a deal in which we would be able to keep the rights to Willy Taveras and put him in AA, and probably get another prospect in return.

[NJRocket]

Originally posted by Rashmon
I say we keep 'em both.

Clemens is only going to be around 1, maybe 2 seasons.

Amen to that...Plus, a decent lefty is tough to come by these days....I mean, they guy did win 15 games. If Pettitte has any arm trouble whatsoever (God for bid), we will wish we hung on to JR.

As for Saarloos, I think he would be a lot easier to replace.

[redgoose]

Saarloos and Robertson both have decent trade value no matter what us Houston fans think. They can both immediatly start for 2/3 of the teams out there.

I think a package of the two could easily bring us a stud minor leaguer and and maybe a good lefty set up man.

We really need to stock up the farm system because i don't want to watch this team go through another rebuilding process for 5 years.

[Uprising]

Our roster is going to be so different after this season, and the next coming seasons. With contracts ending, players resigning...

I also think we should keep them. Clemens is only going to be around for one year. So, that is one spot opened up. If they can get a great deal for them then I would do it. BUT I just don't know. This season is like do or die (do=playoffs .....WS)

[Fegwu]

Originally posted by Rashmon
I say we keep 'em both.

Clemens is only going to be around 1, maybe 2 seasons.


They won't be better next year either.....or even 2 or 3 years down they road (I deduce). They are just glorified "7th" starter(s).

[BigCountry132]

This might be our only year to go to the world series, we half to act now and not worry about the future. I say trade them for a reliable bullpen guy or speedy centerfielder that will help us on our trek to the championship.

[sonique15]

Originally posted by Fegwu
They won't be better next year either.....or even 2 or 3 years down they road (I deduce). They are just glorified "7th" starter(s).

Thatz crap....they both have potential, I just dont see it happening in an Astros uniform. Robertson will be a good MLB starter....hez a lefty and has good stuff. Saarloos is lights out in the minors, jus cant miss a bat in the big leagues.....theyre both young and improving.....I just hope we get somethin decent back for them.

[BigM]

i remember saarloos pitched that shutout a couple years back, i'm pretty sure it was the only complete game we had that year.

if only he could add some mph to that fastball because his changeup was absolutely nasty. like codell said he has to be perfect to be effective.

[codell]

Originally posted by redgoose
Saarloos and Robertson both have decent trade value no matter what us Houston fans think.

Robertson, maybe, since he is a semi-proven starter.

Saarloos?? No way. He gets you a decent minor league prospect at best.

[Groogrux]

Hunsicker said yesterday that he's not in the business of trading pitching talent. Sounded more truthful than your normal denial.

[TheRoot]

I would be willing to wager that the Rangers would give us Soriano for these two guys.

[franchise?..NOT]

Hunsiker on radio as saying he has spent two years trying to re-build the pitching in the minors and he is not about to trade either guy unless he is blown away by a proposal.

Makes sense since Clemens is a rent a pitcher and the upside of either Robertson or Saarloos is likely to improve with a year of seasoning.

[xiki]

Originally posted by TheRoot
I would be willing to wager that the Rangers would give us Soriano for these two guys.

If you won your wager, where would he play? He might be a better option than the aged Bigg in center, but Bigg isn't going anywhere. He might be an upgrade over Hidalgo or Ensberg, but realistically, are you going to bench either? And, next year, he is due a huge boost from the 5 mil he's getting now.

Find a taker for RH for a passel of very good minor league prospects then maybe talk the deal.

[GreenVegan76]

Unless we can get a Soriano-type in return (which will never happen), the Astros should just hang on to those guys. You can never have too much pitching depth, especially when your #3 pitcher is 40 years old.

[fatman510]

There is no point in trading Robertson now, with Clemens only pitching for us for 1 year. Saarloos, I would be willing to trade for middle relief help.
I think Robertson has some potential though. He could be a good number 4 or 5 starter in a few years.
This is our pitching staff as I imagine it in 4 years:
1. Oswalt
2. Miller
3. Redding
4. Bucholz
5. Robertson

[Groogrux]

No Hernandez?

[meh]

While our farm system sucks big time, we do have some depth in terms of pitching. So I'm quite sure at least one of them will pan out, at least in terms of being better than Robertson.

If you won your wager, where would he play? He might be a better option than the aged Bigg in center, but Bigg isn't going anywhere. He might be an upgrade over Hidalgo or Ensberg, but realistically, are you going to bench either? And, next year, he is due a huge boost from the 5 mil he's getting now.

Bigg can go to the bench. I don't care how much PR value Bigg has, there's no way any sane fan would prefer him out there over Sorino. Also, we can always move Everett out and play him at SS. No, his defense will likely be below average, but his offense more than makes up for it.

Of course, since the Rangers have *ZERO* chance of trading him for Robertson, it's a moot point.

[Blatz]

I don't know how I feel about Robertson asking for a trade.

Hoping for a trade (http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/2476557) (Scroll down)

Although Jeriome Robertson could see the move coming, it took him 24 hours to sort out his disappointment well enough for him to speak publicly about being optioned to Class AAA New Orleans. Now, he just hopes another major-league team steps up and acquires him via trade.

The Expos, Tigers and Blue Jays have sought pitching, and Robertson hopes his club-leading 15 victories as a rookie last year can entice a team to give up a prospect or two for him.

"If it takes a trade to give me the opportunity to perform in the big leagues and help somebody win a championship, that's what I feel I should do," he said Tuesday, a day after he was one of four players optioned or reassigned to New Orleans. "I think I belong in the big leagues."

Robertson was 15-9 with a 5.10 ERA last year while leading all rookies in starts (31) and victories. If he isn't traded, he will stay in New Orleans, where he was the pitcher of the year in 2002 after going 12-8 with a 2.55 ERA.

"The Houston organization has been a big part of me growing as a professional," Robertson said. "I've been with them nine years, and the organization has always been good to me. This is the first situation I've ever been put into where I feel like it could be hindering my potential as a major-league player.

"Maybe it came to a point with the Astros organization that they have the quality pitching they need. With the things I did the last couple of years, numbers wise, I feel I deserve better."

[codell]

Robertson is starting to come across as a bit of a whiner.

[MadMax]

Originally posted by codell
Robertson is starting to come across as a bit of a whiner.
i understand him being upset...as a competitor...a guy who has likely been "the man" on every level he pitched at growing up. frankly, i don't want him to be happy with it. but on this staff, there's no way he cracks the starting rotation without an injury.

[codell]

Max,

In that, I like Robertson. He cares and he is a competitor. He doesn't have to like it, but I am sure his wanting to be traded to a team that will give him a spot as a starter is not going to win him friends in the Astros clubhouse. Especially since his rookie year was relatively mediocre.

Odds are, he will be needed sometime this year, since its likely one of the 5 starts could miss a start or two. He should go down, continue to improve himself at AAA and then do his best when he is called up to fill in for one of the starters.

[Rocket Fan]

wow Robertson turned 27 yesterday. I thought he was one of the "young guns" didn't realize he was of that age. I thought maybe he just needs a little more work in the minor leagues, but he has already been with the team for 9 years..

[Rocket Fan]

Argh no edit.. my point of that was he has been with the team 9 years so I can see him wanting to be with a team he can be in the big leagues on now. I for some reason thought he was a lot younger

[bigboymumu]

The Astros have just made a trade. More details to come as it is released!

[DanHiggsBeard]

Jeriome Roberston traded to Cleveland for Tavares.

[bigboymumu]

Robertson traded to Indians for Tavares and an outfielder.

[RocketFan007]

The other OF is Luke Scott, he's 25 and hits from the left side. Here are his stats from A and AA last year.

http://minorleaguebaseball.com/players/view.asp?id=E01003

[coma]

mlb.com (http://indians.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/cle/news/cle_press_release.jsp?ymd=20040331&content_id=674794&vkey=pr_cle&fext=.jsp)

Indians and Astros complete trade for LHP Jeriome Robertson

CLEVELAND, OH --- The Cleveland Indians today announced they have acquired LHP JERIOME ROBERTSON from the Houston Astros in exchange for OF LUKE SCOTT and the rights to OF WILLY TAVERAS.

Robertson, who turned 27 yesterday, led all major league rookies in wins in 2003 with Houston, going 15-9 with a 5.10 ERA in 32 appearances/31 starts (160.2IP, 180H, 91ER, 64BB, 99SO). The Exeter, CA native also finished tied for the major league lead in starts (31) by a rookie as his 15 wins led the entire Houston pitching staff and were tied for 9th overall in the entire National League. Robertson went 1-1 with a 3.60 ERA in 5 spring outings in 2004 (2GS, 10.0IP, 13H, 4ER) and was recently optioned to AAA New Orleans after Houston's off-season additions of Andy Pettitte & Rogers Clemens. His option has been transferred to AAA Buffalo, but where he opens the 2004 season is yet to be determined.

Taveras was selected by Houston in the Major League portion of the Rule V Draft in December of 2003 and is now the sole property of the Houston Astros. Scott split the 2003 season between AA Akron & A Kinston.

[robbie380]

taveras looks like a very interesting prospect. .282 avg, 52 BBs in 449 PAs, 57:eek: SBs and only 12 CS. very little power though only 17 extra base hits in 397 ABs.