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Mark Melancon to Red Sox for Jed Lowrie, Kyle Weiland

Discussion in 'Houston Astros' started by The Cat, Dec 14, 2011.

  1. The Cat

    The Cat Contributing Member

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  2. The Cat

    The Cat Contributing Member

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  3. juicystream

    juicystream Contributing Member

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    [rquoter]Kyle Weiland

    Scouting Report: Big frame right-handed pitcher, but on the lanky side. 90-95 MPH fastball that comes in two-seam and four-seam varieties. Two-seamer has excellent late life and arm-side run. Attacks the zone with solid-average command of his fastball. Doesn't make a lot of mistakes with it and uses both sides of the plate, but can leave it up on occasions. 78-81 MPH curveball has made strides since signing. When he throws it arm side, it shows sweeping backdoor action and is effective against left-handed hitters. Can also bury his curve across the strike zone with harder break. Shows plus depth at times, but can wrap his wrist too much to cause loopy break. Has re-incorporated his cut-fastball this season. Sits 85-88 MPH and gives him another weapon to work with. Creates tight rotation and grades as a solid-average offering. Also throws a fringe-average low-80s changeup with late arm-side fade. Tends to float. His delivery is somewhat unconventional and long in the backend with his arm action. Expends a lot of energy with his motion causing him to wear down. Best suited as a late inning bullpen arm on a contending team as major league career progresses. Capable of fulfilling a swing man role when stretched out. Ceiling of a back-of-the-rotation starter with a second division club.

    Jed Lowrie

    Scouting Report: Intelligent shortstop with a decent glove and average range. Arm is strong but could use work on throwing accuracy. Initially slated for a possible move back to second base (where he played in college) because of sub-par defensive projections. However, his defense has really improved during his time in the Sox system, and he has proven to have the ability to play adequately at shortstop and third base in the Major Leagues. Average speed on the basepaths. Demonstrated plus power for a middle infielder in college, but now looks to have gap power and not a lot of home-run pop. Hits for average very well, and equally from both sides of the plate. Outstanding plate discipline; in true Red Sox form, his best attribute may be his ability to work pitchers for good at-bats. Injury prone, particularly his wrist.[/rquoter]

    http://www.soxprospects.com/players/weiland-kyle.htm

    http://soxprospects.com/players/lowrie-jed.htm

    Of course we have seen Lowrie with the Red Sox, but unable to stay healthy during his brief career. Potentially a high reward for a bullpen pitcher, even if he is as talented and young as Melancon.
     
  4. Hammer755

    Hammer755 Contributing Member

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    This is a shockingly good trade for the Astros. Melancon is a good enough reliever, but to get a decent, young, cheap SS, which is perhaps the teams biggest need, as well as a pitcher who has good ML numbers seemingly has some upside, in exchange for him appears to be a coup.

    Nice first move for Luhnow.
     
  5. sealclubber1016

    Supporting Member

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    Like the trade, Melancon is a decent reliever, but i haven't seen anything to think he will be special. Not really a good closer and middle relievers are expendable.

    Lowrie could be a servicable big leaguer, maybe a little more. Compared to our other options he's an all-star.

    The pitcher seems like he has upside, he's a starter potentially high reward.

    Neither guy seems to be anything special, but i really don't think we gave up anything.
     
  6. No Worries

    No Worries Contributing Member

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    Kyle Edward Weiland

    Position: Pitcher
    Bats: Left, Throws: Right
    Height: 6' 4", Weight: 195 lb.

    Born: September 12, 1986 in Albuquerque, NM (Age 25)
    High School: Eldorado (Albuquerque, NM)
    Drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 3rd round of the 2008 amateur draft.
    Signed June 16, 2008
    Debut: July 10, 2011
    Team: RedSox 2011
    2012 Contract Status: Pre-Arb Eligible
    Service Time (01/2012): 0.040
     
  7. No Worries

    No Worries Contributing Member

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    Jed Carlson Lowrie

    Positions: Shortstop, Third Baseman and Second Baseman
    Bats: Both, Throws: Right
    Height: 6' 0", Weight: 180 lb.

    Born: April 17, 1984 in Salem, OR (Age 27)
    High School: North Salem (Salem, OR)
    School: Stanford University
    Drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 1st round (45th pick) of the 2005 amateur draft.
    Signed July 1, 2005
    Debut: April 15, 2008
    Team: RedSox 2008-2011
    2012 Contract Status: 1st-Year Arb Eligible, 1 yr/$450k (11)
    Service Time (01/2012): 3.111, Arb Eligible: 2012, Free Agent: 2015
     
  8. juicystream

    juicystream Contributing Member

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    Funny read. Kind of reminds me of the idiots in GARM.

    I think the Astros made a great trade, but Melancon is a proven player that will be extremely cheap for the next few years. The Red Sox filled a need, while the Astros got potential.

    I hope this ends the Astros career of Angel Sanchez. With Lowrie, Downs, Gonzalez, Paredes, Altuve, and possibly Chris Johnson, we have all the infielders we need. Mills will probably put Lyon back into the closer's role, which could be good if he can build some value for a potential mid-season trade.

    Edit: Just remembered that this will put us at 41 roster members, so somebody is definitely on the way out.
     
    #8 juicystream, Dec 14, 2011
    Last edited: Dec 14, 2011
  9. bobrek

    bobrek Politics belong in the D & D

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    This just in:

    David Stern has vetoed this trade.
     
    1 person likes this.
  10. msn

    msn Member

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    Get in line, David Stern. Nolan Ryan vetoed it first.
     
  11. cardpire

    cardpire Member

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    nice move. I don't think lyon moves back into closers role. Wouldn't serve us much purpose. I'd be surprised if he's on our opening day roster.
     
  12. MadMax

    MadMax Contributing Member

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    I'm good with this. :) Seems like it's been a while since we've been involved in a trade the OTHER side was upset with.
     
  13. juicystream

    juicystream Contributing Member

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    As a trade asset it certainly would. Mills was loyal to Lyon while he was blowing saves and injured. I think he will get another chance.

    Unless Lyon gets traded before the season, which is doubtful coming off surgery, he and Lopez will be put in the 8/9 inning spots.
     
    1 person likes this.
  14. noscrusir

    noscrusir Contributing Member

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    Suprisingly good move. It only took a new owner and GM to pull off :) I like Lowrie though, the kid can play.
     
  15. Joshfast

    Joshfast "We're all gonna die" - Billy Sole
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  16. leroy

    leroy Contributing Member

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    Wow. Appears on the surface to be a great first trade. Filled an important need with youth and at a low cost.

    Gotta like it.
     
  17. juicystream

    juicystream Contributing Member

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    *When Healthy
     
  18. J.R.

    J.R. Member

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    BA:
    [rquoter]
    The Deal
    First on new Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow's to-do list: acquire viable options to play shortstop and catcher, the two most demanding positions on the field. His search continues for a catcher to cover for the injured Jason Castro, but odds are he found his shortstop in a trade with the Red Sox. Houston sent its first-year closer Mark Melancon to Boston for 27-year-old shortstop/third baseman Jed Lowrie, arbitration-eligible for the first time this offseason, as well as 25-year-old Kyle Weiland, a righthander pressed into service with the Red Sox last year because of myriad injuries.

    Lowrie has walloped big league lefties in his career, batting .326/.385/.534 with 11 homers in 314 plate appearances, but his production versus righties (.214/.293/.342 in 606 PAs) leaves something to be desired. He's a sound defender at shortstop who can shift to third base in the event that prospect Jonathan Villar, a defensive wizard, hits enough to earn his keep in Houston. Lowrie might have established himself in Boston had he not missed so much time with injury in each of the past three seasons.

    The Astros acquired Melancon when they traded Lance Berkman to the Yankees for the 2010 stretch drive. Boston felt impelled to trade for a closer for two reasons. Firstly, they lost their own fireman Jonathan Papelbon as a free agent to the Phillies, and they're toying with the notion of moving set-up man Daniel Bard to the rotation. And secondly, closers are fetching a pretty penny on the free agent market this winter—Papelbon pulled down $50 million, Heath Bell secured $27 million from the Marlins and even 37-year-old Joe Nathan got $14.5 million from the Rangers. Because of this trend, some teams have determined that it's more cost-effective to trade for a ninth-inning pitcher. That's how the Blue Jays acquired Sergio Santos and the Padres got Huston Street.

    Astros Acquire
    Kyle Weiland, rhp
    Age: 25.
    Born: Sept. 12, 1986 in Albuquerque.
    Ht.: 6-4. Wt.: 195. Bats: L. Throws: R.
    School: Notre Dame.
    Career Transactions: Selected by Red Sox in third round of 2008 draft; signed June 16, 2008.

    Code:
    Club (League)	Class	W	L	ERA	G	GS	SV	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	WHIP
    Pawtucket (IL)	AAA	8	10	3.58	24	24	0	128.1	108	54	51	10	55	126	1.27
    Boston (AL)	MLB	0	3	7.66	7	5	0	24.2	29	22	21	5	12	13	1.66
    Weiland made three critical starts for the Red Sox in September, losing two and receiving a no decision in the other while allowing 12 runs in 11 2/3 innings. Boston officials don't fault Weiland, saying he was put in a difficult situation and undermined by shoddy defense behind him. They still see him as a potential rotation contributor in the future. Weiland has a hard sinker that sits in the low 90s and touches 96 mph. He has improved his curveball to the point where it gets swings and misses, and he has developed a cutter that makes him more effective against lefthanders than righthanders. He doesn't tip off his changeup like he used to, though it's still a fringy pitch. Weiland relishes pitching inside and does an excellent job of controlling the running game. When he keeps his pitches down, he's tough to beat, but he got caught up in the strike zone too often in the majors. His stuff would play up if he moved to the bullpen. (Jim Callis)

    Jed Lowrie, ss/3b
    Age: 27. Bats: B. Remaining Commitment: Arbitration-eligible for 2012-14 seasons ($450,000 salary in 2011).
    Contract details courtesy of Cot's Baseball Contracts.

    Code:
    Club (League)	YEAR	AVG	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	OBP	SLG
    Boston (AL)	2011	.252	88	309	40	78	14	4	6	36	23	60	1	.303	.382
    3-Year Totals	        .250	175	548	76	137	30	4	17	71	54	105	2	.316	.412
    Red Sox Acquire
    Mark Melancon, rhp
    Age: 26. Remaining Commitment: Under club control for 2012-16 seasons ($421,000 salary in 2011).
    Contract details courtesy of Cot's Baseball Contracts.

    Code:
    Club (League)	YEAR	W	L	ERA	G	GS	SV	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO	WHIP
    Housotn (NL)	2011	8	4	2.78	71	0	20	74.1	65	28	23	5	26	66	1.22
    3-Year Totals	       10	5	3.21	106	0	20	112	97	49	40	7	44	98	1.26
    [/rquoter]
     
  19. right1

    right1 Member

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    I like the trade. Lowrie has always shown a good ability to get on base even when not hitting for that high of an average. Seems pretty sound defensively. Not going to light the basepaths on fire, though. Good to get Weiland in the deal. His upside could be fairly high.
     
  20. tellitlikeitis

    tellitlikeitis Canceled
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    Guess we've found our starting shortstop?
     

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