Haha Wigs!! This guy couldn't hack it for my Bucco's but of course he went on and played better once he was moved to a different team.
But we're not trading him last year, or the year before... we're trying to trade him THIS year, where his ERA is 5.09. This isn't like Lidge last year... who still had good stuff, had a bunch of K's, but struggled to keep the ERA down. Wheeler has never had dominant stuff... he's mixed pin-point control with a lot of intestinal fortitude the past two years. This year, the extra work... along with added pressure of being closer... caught up to him. No team was ever going to give up plus prospects for him.
My guess is they try and work a trade for Loretta, and he takes his place at 3B/1B, while Everett comes back at SS, and Lamb continues to get starts at 3B/1B (with Lance in RF for the latter games).
Looking at his hit chart he appears to be a Biggio-esque pull hitter. At Tropicana Field this year it appears that about 3 hits (out of 49) that landed significantly towards the 1st base side of 2nd base. Wigginton Hit Chart
i think this is a solid move. not great...but it's about the max we could get out of wheels. Someone's upset that we got a ML player that's only 29? Because he's "average" ? And you're admitting that Wheeler is crappy this year but was great the last couple of years...doesn't that equate to average? Especially when the current performance matters a lot more?
we better trade lamb and loretta next for some outfield help or a catcher. for some reason, im expecting/hoping loretta for kelly shoppach, but thats because shoppach would make for a good stop gap until towles is ready and could be a pretty good everyday player. wheeler had one bad month, and he's been very good since. i think qualls could have gotten more from a contending team in the sense of a difference maker. we get a solid player that does fill a hole, but i doubt it turns us into a contending team if this is the only move purpura makes.
I understand that Wheeler has not been great this year, but I thought they should be able to get more than Wiggington. Wiggington was released by the Pirates a couple of years ago. The jury is still out on Pupura. I do not understand this deal.
actually, its perfectly understandable when you realize who made the trade. purpura doesnt like to take risks, and wiggy is a solid player. he doesnt want to take chances on prospects, most likely because his job is on the fence. solid, but unspectacular. doesnt put us over the top. we still have RF/CF, C, and pitching needs. id rather have michael bourn, a difference maker with his speed, defense, and leadoff abilities. he affects the 2,3,4 spots in the offense instead of just being a run producer in the 5 spot, especially when we dont have someone who can get on base consistently from our leadoff position.
Other moves have gotta be coming, considering our sudden surplus of average IF. I was thinking the Stros would try to get younger.. and they just might in the next few days.
You can "rather have" all you want. I don't think Wheels would have gotten it done (or Qualls alone). There have been reports that Philly might let Rowand walk and let Bourn take over next year. That's not a guy they're going to just let go of. If they were, I think Purpura would be all over it
This is a great trade for the Astros. This solves our 3B problem, good job for once Timmy! Wheeler has sucked this year, we are lucky to get much of anything.
Anyone who expects a reliever with mediocre stuff and an ERA above 5 to bring the ultimate solution to something is dumber than I thought.
It's too bad. I like Wheeler. He did a lot behind the scenes with the bull pin, keeping the tradition going with always eating with as a group, etc. Best of luck, Dan!
i think people are underestimating wheeler. by the look of his numbers, theyre not good, especially in the ERA department. however, take a closer look. he k's more than 1 per inning and he limits his walks. he had 1 bad month in june, 5 bad outings really.take away those 5 outings and he has an ERA under 3. he's been much better lately, with an ERA of 2.38 in july
