This isn't a bad move...just a crappy player for another older, slightly less crappy player. The sad part is: this is about as big a move as the Astros will make. Not that I think we should be targeting superstars at this point...it's just a sad state of affairs when Clint Barmes is filling a need on your team.
Felipe Paulino has played 8 professional seasons of baseball and Felipe Paulino has missed time due to arm problems all 8 seasons. Wade, Mills & Co. stressed the need for better defense up the middle. This plays into that, and as Wade said, how things shake out depends on what else they do this offseason. Why anyone gives a **** about this move at the present time is befuddling.
According to MLBTR, Barmes will earn $4 million via arbitration. The Rockies and Barmes were talking about him being non-tendered and signing for less. So the Astros trade away an asset and get the not-better-than-replacement player at a premium price. I'll take Sanchez, Manzilla, and the extra $3.75 million to spend on a player who's actually above replacement level, thanks. Does anybody really believe that Barnes is nearly $4 million dollars better than what we have now? I'd love to hear from you if you think that. Maybe we can drop $6 million and convince Mario Mendoza to come out of retirement.
What we're reading about Paulino here sounds a lot like what we said about Wandy just a few years ago: http://bbs.clutchfans.net/showthread.php?t=124587&page=1
I agree. They guy sucked as a reliever so I don't know what made them think he could be a starter. He has terrible control.
He will get a chance to compete for the job. If I had to guess, I would give the early edge to Nelson Figueroa based on how he closed the season.
I wasn't expecting us to trade Paulino for Domonic Brown... but if the best you can get for him is a guy with negative VORP, why trade him at all? I'd much rather invest money in a 27 year old pitcher that can hit the mid to low 90's on the guy, than invest in a 32 year old player with a sub .300 OBP outside of Denver. And word is, he'll command $4 million in arbitration. This is Pedro Felize the sequel.
Isn't that the truth. I have a feeling that once a new ownership takes over we will stop seeing all the redicilous expiriments like trying Chase Buddingers clone(JR Towels) year after year when it was clear that these players didn't have it.
Don't hold your breath. Be prepared to see the Astros sign a FA starting pitcher this off season. Wade will be looking to land the next Brett Myers.
I agree, the Jeff Francis rumor makes more and more sense now. I would think if you're going to spend 4 million on a below average middle infielder then going after a Javier Vazquez type makes sense but I think they will probably go after a 1 yr guy high reward low risk pitcher and when Lyles is ready next season then he will get that spot.
