Jeriome Robertson got what he wanted.

[sonique15]

The Houston Astros announced today the club has acquired outfielder Willy Tavares and minor league outfielder Luke Scott in exchange for left-handed pitcher Jeriome Robertson. The announcement was made by general manager Gerry Hunsicker.
Taveras, 22, was selected by the Astros from Cleveland in the Major League Rule V draft on Dec. 15, 2003. Taveras cleared outright waivers earlier today and was offered back to the Indians in accordance with Rule V. However, the clubs this afternoon completed the trade that allows the Astros to keep Taveras and acquire Scott in exchange for Robertson.

In 113 games for Class A Kinston in 2003, he hit .282 (112x397) with two home runs and 35 RBI and 57 stolen bases. In five minor league seasons from 1999-2003, Taveras has hit .286 (450x1572) with 13 home runs, 154 RBI, and 202 stolen bases. In 18 games for Houston this Spring, he hit .160 (4x25) with one RBI and three stolen bases.

Robertson, 27, went 15-9 with a 5.10 ERA (91ER/160.2IP) in 32 games (31 starts) for Houston in 2003. He allowed 180 hits and walked 64 while striking out 99. Robertson led all Major League rookies and the Astros in wins last year, and in 43 career big league appearances (32 starts), Robertson is 15-11 with a 5.18 ERA (98ER/170.1IP).

The 25-year-old Scott led the Indians organization last season with 20 home runs and 81 RBI between Class A Kinston and Class AA Akron in 2003. In 214 career minor league games from 2002-2003, the Oklahoma State product and ninth-round draft choice in 2001 has hit .264 (200x758) with 35 home runs and 143 RBI.



Sounds like we got an outfielder w/ speed and another one who can swing the bat. Great trade for the Astros.

[GreenVegan76]

Eh, I dunno. A 25-year-old player in A ball doesn't usually make much of an impact at the big-league level. Taveras has a future, though.

But, then again, Robertson isn't an ace, either.

[Summer Song Giver]

I dunno, Tavares has been in the minors for five years and is still playing A ball? Plus he did not have a good spring with us this year.

Scott is anoither guy who puts up DECENT stats in A ball and AA ball, I would have prefered a little bit more of a sure thing for a rookie 15 game winnere regardless of his stats.

[Nick]

Originally posted by Summer Song Giver
I dunno, Tavares has been in the minors for five years and is still playing A ball? Plus he did not have a good spring with us this year.


Has he really?? I thought he was only 22???

Regardless, you have to figure the 'Stros knew what they were getting, since they've had Tavares in their camp the entire spring (rule 5 pick), and they've played the Indians like a bajillion times, thus they've had constant conversation.

IMO, whenever you get to keep your rule 5 pick (somebody who you basically covet, but can't always have), its always a good deal... especially when we only gave up a pitcher who's already 27, has mediocre stuff, and who's faltered in the only big game of his career (I know he's only pitched in one of these games... against Milwaukee in the final week... but that pitiful performance was enough to make me go sour on Jeriome).

[Joe Joe]

Originally posted by Nick
Has he really?? I thought he was only 22???


I think he was talking about Scott being 25. Taveras is 22 and will probably be the centerfielder in two years even if he is the next Gerald Young.

[Buck Turgidson]

Originally posted by Summer Song Giver
Plus he did not have a good spring with us this year.
Gerry & Jimy decided before ST to work with Taveras on becoming a switch hitter (insert joke here). ST statistics are meaningless.

[Buck Turgidson]

Originally posted by Nick
...and who's faltered in the only big game of his career (I know he's only pitched in one of these games... against Milwaukee in the final week... but that pitiful performance was enough to make me go sour on Jeriome).
He looked like he was going to piss himself. Reminded me of Chris Holt.

[bigboymumu]

Originally posted by Nick
Has he really?? I thought he was only 22???
Regardless, you have to figure the 'Stros knew what they were getting, since they've had Tavares in their camp the entire spring (rule 5 pick), and they've played the Indians like a bajillion times, thus they've had constant conversation.


Yep, I remember a guy we lost a few years ago.(Johan Santana) We have to be pretty high on Tavares. And, our weakness is definitely outfielders in the minor leagues. Why not trade from our strength? Also, I doubt if Robertson becomes anything other than a journeyman reliever.

[Summer Song Giver]

Originally posted by Joe Joe
I think he was talking about Scott being 25. Taveras is 22 and will probably be the centerfielder in two years even if he is the next Gerald Young.

The article says it was Tavares who spent five years in the minors, all at A ball. Doesn't look like the Injuns were too high on him or they were waiting for something to happen that never did.

I wish we could have gotten Crisp or Bradley even if we had to throw in another prospect along with Jeriome.

[Summer Song Giver]

Originally posted by bigboymumu
Yep, I remember a guy we lost a few years ago.(Johan Santana)

Forgive my ignorance but we had Johan Santana? That pisses me off.

[sonique15]

Originally posted by Summer Song Giver
The article says it was Tavares who spent five years in the minors, all at A ball. Doesn't look like the Injuns were too high on him or they were waiting for something to happen that never did.

I wish we could have gotten Crisp or Bradley even if we had to throw in another prospect along with Jeriome.

Tavares is only 22 and he gets better every year. He'll be a plus outfielder for us but he reminds me more of a Juan Pierre type. Plus, you can't teach speed.

[Buck Turgidson]

Originally posted by Summer Song Giver
Forgive my ignorance but we had Johan Santana? That pisses me off.
Lost him in the Rule V.

F.U. Wilfredo Rodriguez.

[Buck Turgidson]

Here's a nice story on Scott:

http://www.topprospectalert.com/AZFall/031115ls.html

[codell]

Is Wilfredo Rodriquez the one who gave up the 70th HR to Bonds??

BTW, good trade for the Stros. One thing this organization is lacking is speed, in the majors and minors. Maybe hell be ready in a year or so to start in center. He reminds me a lil of Castillo from Florida.

Anyone else suprised that Jerry pulled this deal, just a day or so after saying that he wasn't in the business of trading starting pitching depth?? Perhaps it became apparent, after Jerome's comments, that he might become a mal-content in the minors????

[Uprising]

Well, sounds good to me.

[NIKEstrad]

It's nice when a 15 game winning lefty becomes like your 8th best starting option.

Taveras must have really impressed...speed kills, but we do have a couple of other speedy outfielders in the wings (Mike Rodriguez and Charlton Jimerson). Not quite in the same world as Taveras, but good nonetheless.

The other guy seems like the potential power lefty bat off the bench that we're looking for this year. He spent some time in AA last year- I wonder if he starts there or moves up to AAA, potentially a midseason call-up if our bench lefties (Lamb, Palmeiro) falter?

SSG- We lost him to Rule V a few years ago...

[Puedlfor]

Originally posted by codell
Is Wilfredo Rodriquez the one who gave up the 70th HR to Bonds??

That's the one.

He was also considered the top prospect in the Astro's system a few years ago because he was a lefty who threw hard. Unfortunately, that was all he did - throw hard. He was one of the most erratic pitchers I've ever seen. One inning, he'd look like a lefty Pedro Martinez - spotting his heater on the black and a wicked curve. The very next inning - he gives up four walks, two wild pitches and a couple doubles.

Just nuts.

[fatman510]

Ehhh I don't really like this deal. I think Robertson had potential to become a really decent starter. Scott is 25 and still in AA???? Theres got to be something wrong there (I know he did have TJ surgery, but stlil...) We could have gotten some speed in the outfield with out trading Robertson. Why not Saarloos and an good prospect for Milton Bradley?
Oh well...

[rockets-#1]

I'm not too high on Robertson, but I don't like it. We only had to send him to the minors this year because we added Pettite and Clemens. Unfortunately, Roger will be gone after this year and then what? We'll have C-Los ready to come up, but it'd be nice to have those two compete against each other and what about injuries. With Roy's and Wade's injury history and just the nature of baseball, it'd be nice to have a guy with majors experience somewhere in the system.

[codell]

rockets-#1,

Don't forget Burkholz. Hes looking like he may be a stud in a year or so.

Also, Duckworth is a legit ML starter.

In the minors, we have a few guys that could contend for a starting spot once Roger retires:

Fernando Nieve
Chad Qualls
Rodrigo Rosario (looked good last year against Texas before he was injured)


New Orleans is still going to have a heck of a rotation, even without Robertson:

Bucholz
Qualls
Rosario

Nieve might end up at AAA by the end of the year.

[rockets-#1]

Ha, nice. Thanks Codell, that makes me feel better. I knew we had Bucholz, Rosario, and Duckworth, but I wasn't really thinking about them. I was just preoccupied with the fact we lost Jeriome. Hopefully, it will work out for the best.

[robbie380]

Originally posted by fatman510
Ehhh I don't really like this deal. I think Robertson had potential to become a really decent starter. Scott is 25 and still in AA???? Theres got to be something wrong there (I know he did have TJ surgery, but stlil...) We could have gotten some speed in the outfield with out trading Robertson. Why not Saarloos and an good prospect for Milton Bradley?
Oh well...

25 in AA...see Jason Lane

we can't get bradley because he is actually good.

[Agent27]

Originally posted by codell
BTW, good trade for the Stros. One thing this organization is lacking is speed, in the majors and minors. Maybe hell be ready in a year or so to start in center. He reminds me a lil of Castillo from Florida.

If Tavarez has been playing minor league ball since 1999 and hasn't gotten past A ball then I doubt he'd be good enough to make the big club let alone start in a year or two.

[xiki]

Sounds like a giveaway to fill a couple of minor's rosters. I wish...they had held onto JR until an injury hit another team or trade deadline for a 'lopsided' type deal. Oh, well.

[codell]

Originally posted by xiki
Sounds like a giveaway to fill a couple of minor's rosters. I wish...they had held onto JR until an injury hit another team or trade deadline for a 'lopsided' type deal. Oh, well.

How would have holding onto JR until the trading deadline increased his value???

[robbie380]

Originally posted by codell
How would have holding onto JR until the trading deadline increased his value???

you're asking too many questions. just accept it.

[bigboymumu]

It' s no big deal!

[xiki]

Originally posted by codell
How would have holding onto JR until the trading deadline increased his value???

It doesn't appear his value was very high, based on what he brought back. At the deadline someone will hotly desire a starter, a lefty starter. IF JR did anything for NO with his 15 Ws last season here he MIGHT have been 'an increased value'.

[codell]

Originally posted by xiki
It doesn't appear his value was very high, based on what he brought back. At the deadline someone will hotly desire a starter, a lefty starter. IF JR did anything for NO with his 15 Ws last season here he MIGHT have been 'an increased value'.

Teams usually overpay for proven starters at the trading deadline, not pitchers like Robertson, who is a fringe 5th starter.

No team was going to give up anything decent based on anything he would have done at NO to start the season.

[xiki]

Originally posted by codell
Teams usually overpay for proven starters at the trading deadline, not pitchers like Robertson, who is a fringe 5th starter.

No team was going to give up anything decent based on anything he would have done at NO to start the season.

It's done, so it's moot.

BTW - I think JR is better than a fringe 5th. A solid 5th, maybe a 4th...potential to be a #3. I wish him well at the Jake.

I hope one or both our new guys finds his/their way to the Juice and October.

[meh]

Good luck to Robertson. Personally hope he'll do well, but then there will probably a bunch of people complaining here about why we traded him away.

I never thought he was going to get a chance in Houston, barring an incredible amount of injury troubles. Duckworth is the perfect 6th starter we can use if someone goes down, and we have other guys in AAA who can fill in on a temporary basis. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if Buchholz could be called up this season if we become desperate for starters. Long term wise, we have pitching talent in lower minors that Robertson will not be able to beat out.

[adeelsiddiqui]

Good Riddance... Its better than him pitching down at AAA and sucking it up even down there....

[lalala902102001]

Good luck to Jeriome. He did what he was asked to do here. Hope that the couple of outfielders that we got back will pan out in the future.

BTW, our starting rotation now clearly has the edge over the Cubbies. Prior will be out for at least a couple of month for them and their current fifth starter (some kid from AAA) is getting hit pretty hard in ST.

[Rocket Fan]

meh.. if I recall correctly ausmus in an interview talked very highly of bucholz and even said he could have potential to be ready by midseason for big leagues

[Raven Lunatic]

I haven't paid close enough attention, but are any of you that are complaining of this trade also one that complained that this team didn't have enough speedsters on the basepaths? It would just seem funny to me that everyone sat and watched the Marlins win the WS, decided that the one thing this team needed is sprinters that make contact and have little power, and then get upset when we trade one of our lower rung starting pitchers (of which we have an abundance) for a player that may very well turn out to be that much desired demon on the basepaths.

[MadMax]

it's a fine trade...we are very short on position players in the minors...but strong on starting pitching. dealing from a position of strength to address a weakness is a good idea.

good luck to jeriome

[xiki]

It doesn't sound like Shapiro is orgasmically happy over the acquisition:

http://www.ohio.com/mld/ohio/sports/8327397.htm

Posted on Thu, Apr. 01, 2004

Tribe makes deal with Astros to increase depth of pitching

Indians get left-hander Robertson in exchange for two minor-leaguers

By Sheldon Ocker

Beacon Journal staff writer


KISSIMMEE, FLA. - Five is not enough.

Teams seldom go through an entire season without altering the composition of their rotation, either because of poor performance or injury.

It's been a recurring theme of general manager Mark Shapiro's to upgrade the Indians' pitching depth, that is, stockpile an extra starter or two with big-league capabilities at Class AAA Buffalo.

Shapiro took a step toward that goal Wednesday by acquiring left-hander Jeriome Robertson, 27, from the Houston Astros for two minor-leaguers, outfielder Luke Scott and middle infielder Willy Taveras.

``One of my greatest concerns has been starting pitching depth,'' Shapiro said in explaining the deal.

If something should happen to force a change in the rotation, Shapiro could call on only Jason Bere, still recovering from injury, or still-developing phenom Jeremy Guthrie from Triple-A.

``Robertson has exceptional intangibles,'' Shapiro said. ``He has three fringe to average major-league pitches, and he has tremendous determination and intelligence. He is not dissimilar to Jason Stanford.''

Shapiro still isn't sure how Robertson will be used in the short term.

``We've ruled out putting him in our rotation now,'' the GM said. ``We made a verbal commitment to our five starters, and we have to demonstrate loyalty to those guys.''

The other alternatives are putting Robertson in the bullpen, where he would have little experience, or assigning him to Buffalo, where he can start and await his opportunity.

Last year, Robertson (15-9, 5.10 ERA) led all big-league rookies in wins and tied for the lead in rookie starts with 31.

He doesn't throw hard (86-88 mph), but that isn't always the key to predicting the success of a left-hander. Moreover, Shapiro made it clear that Robertson is not a starter on the threshold of superstardom.

``I'm not asking you guys to stop the presses,'' the GM said.

Scott, 25, is an outfielder with power potential. Last year, he batted .273 with seven homers and 37 RBI in 183 at-bats at Class AA Akron, following a promotion from Class A Kinston, where he batted .278 with 13 homers and 44 RBI in 241 at-bats.

Taveras was taken by Houston from Cleveland in December's Rule 5 draft. He is the reason the Astros sought a deal.

Houston did not want to keep him on the 25-man roster. He would have to be offered back to the Tribe if not for an agreement between the teams to waive that requirement.

[meh]

Originally posted by Rocket Fan
meh.. if I recall correctly ausmus in an interview talked very highly of bucholz and even said he could have potential to be ready by midseason for big leagues

That's awesome. I wonder how good a relief pitcher he can be. If he can come up into the pen ala Oswalt a few years back, we could have a pretty kick-ass bullpen.

[Buck Turgidson]

Originally posted by meh
That's awesome. I wonder how good a relief pitcher he can be. If he can come up into the pen ala Oswalt a few years back, we could have a pretty kick-ass bullpen.
Look for Hernandez and Qualls in the pen this year before Buchholtz

[chievous minniefield]

Originally posted by Buck Turgidson
Look for Hernandez and Qualls in the pen this year before Buchholtz

you really think they'd test Hernandez arm with frequent, repeated outings like that? I hope not. I want him as a starter all the way. but hell, if he can even be a healthy contributing pitcher again, I'll be happy.

as for Jerry-o-mee, I can't remember the last time I was so happy to hear of a player being gone from one of my teams.

what a whiny bitch he turned into. it would be nice of him to have a little humility and recognize that Tim Redding was twice the pitcher he was last year.

the best part by far is that the Indians don't even plan to have him in their rotation.

"oh, what's that, Jeriome? you're pissed 'cause you can't crack what many think may be the best starting rotation in baseball? oh, okay, now come to a losing team with a below-average starting rotation and still find yourself in Triple-A."

ha!

[Buck Turgidson]

you really think they'd test Hernandez arm with frequent, repeated outings like that? I hope not. I want him as a starter all the way. but hell, if he can even be a healthy contributing pitcher again, I'll be happy.
If used correctly, a relief pitcher puts no more wear & tear on his arm than a starter. Just takes a couple of weeks for the arm to bounce back in 2-3 days after 20 pitches as opposed to 5 days after 100. Also, with a bullpen this deep, you wouldn't see him get overused ala Dirk's butchery of Scott Elarton when he was in the pen.

Carlos should have his arm strength back after 2 months of starting in AAA, if he can help the 'Stros then, I want him up.

[bigboymumu]

HERNANDEZ in my opinion is our top prospect. He will be a starter next year if he does not get hurt.

Quick question for those that want to answer. Why isn't Rosario such a high prospect? I mean, he has nasty stuff. I know he might be injury prone because of his delivery but why isn't he one of our top prospects. Other prospects are older than he is....

[Rocket Fan]

hmm looks like bradley will be traded... should we be going after him?


sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1773330 (http://)

[arkoe]

Originally posted by Rocket Fan
sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1773330 (http://)

For anybody who's as lazy as I am, here's that link (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1773330) fixed.

Everyone said Carl Everett was a trouble maker, but he apparently had no problems in our club house. However, I wonder if what just happened to the Rockets with Eddie Griffin will weigh in any on Gerry's mind.

[Rocket Fan]

arkoe.. sorry about that link.. Didn't realize it was screwed up until after I posted it and I don't have edit

[arkoe]

No big deal.

[Raven Lunatic]

Originally posted by bigboymumu
Quick question for those that want to answer. Why isn't Rosario such a high prospect? I mean, he has nasty stuff. I know he might be injury prone because of his delivery but why isn't he one of our top prospects. Other prospects are older than he is....

I can't prove this with any links or anything, but wasn't Rosario's injury last season pretty serious? He got it while on the mound, as I remember, while Carlos got his sliding into a base. I haven't seen anything on Rosario in a while, but I was under the impression that he would likely never be 100% again. Which is a shame because dude had some wicked googlies.

[arkoe]

It was some type of shoulder injury; I don't remember exactly what though.