I feel for you Stro fans - going into today, only Roy Halladay had a worse batting average than Darnell McDonald per a minimum number of at-bats for the season. Despite his heroics, he is still fodder when Carl comes off the DL.
I just can't see how Crane doesn't allow Wade to move a few of these guys. Kepp, Pence, Bourn, Myers and Wandy are the obvious five who have serious value. Out of those five, I fully expect three to be moved at the very least.
It does but the offers will be there. The trade market is slim this season and Stros have players at their absolute high.
Breaking news on ESPN... Per Buster Olney, Bud Selig is prepared to make the following official announcement:
Every bad team has "good/great" players... all those years Brian Giles (and then Jason Bay) was on the Pirates, Ichiro has had some wasted years recently for the Mariners, Jose Reyes is having one of the best years EVER for a SS on a mediocre team... Bourn is actually a guy I wouldn't get rid of. Not many contenders are going to give up much for him, and once you get rid of him, he plays a role/position that is pretty hard to obtain unless you have somebody groomed from within (which the Stros DO NOT have).
Bourn is a guy I would definitely get rid of. I don't understand where you're getting that not many contenders are going to give up much for him? Guy is a gold glove centerfielder, an excellent baserunner, and a solid leadoff man. He can change a guy on the basepaths or out in the field. Atlanta has a dire need in CF along with a couple of other teams. Furthermore, Wates and Springer are two guys who could be centerfielders of the future when the team is competitive again. All they need is a stopgap right now because they will be terrible no matter what.
To add to this, Bourn's game is about speed and that will be the first thing to go. He is 28 so how long can he go without losing a step and would he still be effective longterm until the Stros make it back? Also add Boras being his agent and if the question is Pence or Bourn, Pence wins out although an argument could be made Bourn maybe the better all-around player.
The Phillies are going to want Pence. They will want to insure that they win a title with this staff. I'm curious to know what we'll get in return.
I don't completely agree with this. There are several examples of guys with world-class speed that played well into their late-30s and still used their speed as their primary weapon. Kenny Lofton is one that comes to mind. Mike Cameron is another. Bourn is one player that I'd like to see the Astros hang on to for the time being. He'll be an effective player as a base stealer and centerfielder well into his 30s.
