FSHouston It is being reported Astros will pay $4-mill to Yankees plus Berkman and received P Mark Melancon and INF Johnny Paredes in return. I think I heard somewhere that Berkman was only owed like 4 million the rest of the season. Why would the Astros trade him if they are going to pay his 4 million remaining? I could see if there were actual prospects, but those guys are just flat garbage. Am I missing something here?
Even though I agree with what you've said, you are missing the point. You've arrived at a conclusion about Ed Wade's ability as a GM and are conveniently ignoring the evidence that undermines your predetermined judgment. Ed Wade won that trade hands down. The Astros got very little in return, even though that loudmouth redneck Wagner obliterated their leverage with his comments about the organization. I was never a Philly fan so I never cared enough to take a position about Ed Wade during his time in Philly, but I've paid close attention to his moves in Houston and believe he's done a good job overall, especially in talent evaluation and scrap heap reclamation projects. If he'd been a GM in any other city, I think it's a safe bet that his reputation would be different than it is today. This is Philly Fan we're talking about here. They never got over the Schilling deal and made sure it followed Wade everywhere he went.
Melancon is a top-10 prospect for NYY (as high as 5/6 in some publications)... not many folks consider him garbage.
He is owed 7 million apparently and I keep hearing people call Mark Melancon trash and junk but all I keep reading about him is that he was their closer of the future and as high as their 6th rated prospect?
So Wade gets no credit for trading Duckworth, Astacio and Buccholz (had one very good season as a middle reliever - otherwise nothing), for a borderline hall of fame reliever?
http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/astros-to-receive-two-prospects-for-lance-berkman.php Here's the haul from the Yankees. According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, who has been on top of this trade all along, the Astros will receive right-hander Mark Melancon and infielder Jimmy Paredes. Melancon, 25, is 6-1 with a 3.67 ERA and 1.67 WHIP in 40 games with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this season. He was ranked as the organization's No. 15 prospect coming into the season by Baseball America, but has struggled with his control, walking five batters per nine innings. The former ninth-round pick in 2006 has a 4.87 ERA in 15 major league appearances, all in relief. Paredes, 21, has a .280/.313/.393 batting line over four seasons in the minors. He plays all around the infield and has stolen 36 bases in 99 games with Single-A Charleston this season. He didn't rank inside Baseball America's top 30 for the organization coming into the season. All in all, pretty uninspiring. Considering the fact that the Astros are paying anywhere from 3-4 million of the $7.5 million left on Berkman's deal, even more so.
Thank you Cat, not sure why people are down on this trade...we are getting one of their top prospect!?!?
Agreed. Folks are focused on the fact that he's 25 and hasn't made the most of his MLB conversion attempts, but those have been very limited. More importantly, the NL is littered with pitchers who couldn't cut it in the AL - particularly the AL East - but found success in lower-stress environments. Big picture, I think those are the types of players you can get at a bargain rate and find success with here.
I wouldn't say he gets no credit. I would say if you look at his overall record, it's poor. Edit my post and add Wagner to the tally, would you trade Rolen, Schilling, Lidge, Oswalt, and the Wagner recipients for what he received? I would hope not. Even Drayton might fire you for those trades!
I'm not down on it but you don't rebuild with 25 year old middle relievers so I could see why people would be annoyed.
Yankees getting Lilly, too. The rich getting richer. Lilly's not great but he adds yet more depth. Need a hard cap in baseball.
And I say you are way off base and completely wrong. There's a ****ton of draft picks and FA acquisitions that illustrate this point, but you cling to the Ed Wade is a Big Fat Idiot Myth. Stop taking your cues from asshats like Keith Law and Joe Sheehan and do your own homework. Wade's resume is beyond solid.
Didn't me you Comet, you had a pretty level headed response earlier, I mean more of those outside the board who are killing this trade. I thought we were all in agreement Puma wasn't going to bring back a kings ransom at this stage of his career.
The Yanks freak'n own Myers would've been a better fit since he has experience in the Bullpen, and the Yanks need that
