Mark Melancon to Red Sox for Jed Lowrie, Kyle Weiland

Hard to take Baseball America seriously when they say we are looking for a Catcher to replace the injured Jason Castro. He should be back by opening day, and they already re-signed Humberto Quintero. I really can't imagine them making another move for catcher, unless they aren't sold on Castro long-term.

 

Castro probably won't be back. He had foot surgery, and will probably be delayed in his return.

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20111212&content_id=26151910&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb

 

I'm aware of his foot surgery, but all reports have him being back by mid March. It is possible after a long layoff that they give him some extra time in extended spring training, but you don't need a very temporary replacement on a bad team.

 

Don't like to lose Melancon, I thought he could be the Stros closer for the next 5+ years. I guess that slot isn't important right now since the team most likely won't be winning very many games. Hopefully Lowrie can stay healthy and Weiland realizes his potential.

 

I agree, I don't think it's anything to be overly concerned about. Kepp had the same procedure last year. But, that could be what BA was referring to when they said we needed to find a replacement......

 

Wow, a good trade that actually makes sense for the Astros!

As long as Stern doesn't veto it, we should be set this year at SS.

 

He might because in an odd way there's a Kyle Lowr(y)ie involved even if it takes two to make it.

 

Love the players we got for Melancon but love the mindset even more. This deal is very proactive instead of reactive. Wade's biggest issue was he never thought ahead, this is a classic sell high/buy low deal.

 

Exactly! Do it before we're scrambling at the last second for a shortstop.

 

Thank goodness for Astros new management.

The NBA is unwatchable now, but the Astros are gonna be fun.

When does baseball season start?

 

lol baseball is okay but basketball and the nba will forever be >>> baseball and the mlb

 

Not after what Stern pulled.

 

The actions of one man will never deter me from my love of basketball an the rockets.

 

Basketball and Rockets are one thing.

NBA is another.

 

Amen. Look at how much the game has changed since the 90's (that's when I first started watching as a kid so I can't comment on previous time periods), when men played and bigs like Hakeem dominated the game. Guys were physical, there were players whose role was to actually be an "enforcer", and the refs let the players play. Now, you can't lay a finger on anybody especially if it's a superstar, then you can't even breathe on them. It's pretty much a free throw contest. The Thunder were taking it from behind from the refs during their series against the Mavs. If a defender so much as laid his hand on Dirk's back it was a foul. Players put emphasis on flopping to gain advantages, to the point where players stop playing to play the game but play to gain calls from officials who obliged all too often. Basketball was the first sport I started following and the only sport I played competitively growing up. But the NBA has taken a back seat because of how ridiculous the game is now.

Now back to the trade, at first when I saw we traded Melancon I had a "WTF" reaction but I felt he was a young piece we could use as part of our foundation. I've heard of Jed Lowrie before but never really followed him. After reading reactions from both sides, it seems like we got a good deal. Red Sox fans aren't too happy about this one

 

Not saying I wouldn't rather have the nba return to the old 90s but even in its current form it's the sport and league that I watch and dedicated the most time to because I enjoy it the most, and I follow all of them, Football; baseball, soccer.

 

This first move gives me a lot of confidence, this is a great move, not a big move but a very good move.

 

of course I know I'm in the minority, but for me baseball >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> basketball, and every other sport, combined.

baseball is my "sports" first love. the greatest game on the planet. I've resorted more to college and little league lately, because mlb is screwing up the game almost as badly as the NBA is with basketball.

Selig and Stern. What a couple doofus idiots.

 

Astros getting alot of love from FanGraphs and some of the better baseball writers around on this trade. Feels really good.

FanGraphs:
A healthy Lowrie will make this look like a steal for Houston three years down the road, but we haven’t seen a healthy Lowrie all too often. It’s entirely possible that Weiland will outproduce Melancon next season by himself, but contenders often have to overpay a bit to deal with their pressing needs.


AND PETER GAMMONS LOVE

Peter Gammons tweets that CEO George Postolos has re-energized the entire Astros organization, and he was blown away by Luhnow powerpoint. It's a long,long climb, but it's begun

 

Great, now all 3 teams are injury proned!