[NBC] The Rangers are working hard to get Roy Oswalt

Buchholz never actually made the all-star team. You are right, though. He is a much better reliever than a starter.

 

You are right. I think he went into the break that year with an ERA under 2 and was pitching like the best setup man around, but then didn't make it. Too bad for him that he got hurt. Really ended up being the best player in the Jason Jennings deal.

 

Ha! I think that was my original prediction when everyone said he was just a worthless throw in. However, I expected him to turn into a very good starter... I didn't think he'd get the distinction of being "best player in the trade" by being a middle reliever that played for 1 year...

 

I don't know. A lot of guys have had blip years. Buchholz had a single year of 66 IP and a 2.17 ERA. In Colorado, yes. But really, just 1 year as a middle reliever. The year before he started 8 games and relieved in 33 for 90+ innings.. 1.33 WHIP, 4.23 ERA.

I'd be willing to say he could have been a solid middle RP if not for the injury. Moehler-esque. Don't think I could give him much more benefit of the doubt than that really...he was already 26 when he had that year.

Not a big deal, I just refuse to say that anyone was any good in that entire Jennings deal.

 

His career ERA as a reliever is 2.42 over 122.2 innings. His career as a starter is 6.05 over 150.1 innings.

2007 he was 5-2 with a 2.70 ERA as a reliever in 50 innings. I think his career is much closer to Octavio Dotel than Brian Moehler.

 

I find it interesting that all pitchers involved ended up injured.

 

I stand corrected. Though he had to rely on control more than power with his 6.5 K/9 and a fastball topping out at 92.. typically that doesn't translate into a stud RP. But it definitely can.

Yeah, that is pretty crazy. Didn't Willy even have some health issues? Leg, groin, something..

 

Seattle also got #8 John Halama in the deal. Halama gave Seattle a nice four year run.

The top five Astros 1998 prospects were

1. Richard Hidalgo
2. Scott Elarton
3. Wade Miller
4. Lance Berkman
5. Daryle Ward

 

He did get hurt. Another interesting thing is not one of them is currently playing in the majors. Buchholz is the only one still with a ML contract.

 

Only Berkman is still playing in the majors from that list while Guillen & Garcia are still around.

 

Having 3 guys in the system that are around 12 years later is pretty good. Not many players make it 12 years.

Interesting that Elarton, Hidalgo, and Wade Miller all definitely had their moments, but their careers were short lived.

 

3 of your top 7 isn't bad, but only having one play for your team sucks. Though of course that one was the best player of the bunch.

 

Add in Ward, Lane and Ensberg, and we have a really weird history of all-star level performers who are out of the league in a few years. I really no explanation of why that would be.

 

Steroids/injuries/Inability to adjust.

 

The biggest thing that separated our top 5 guys and Garcia/Guillien is that our top 5 were killing AAA and not AA. It really has less to do with them being better, per se, but rather they were more projectable given their success at a higher level.

That's why I've always thought the Astros should go for lower level prospects(but with high upside) because they tend to be less important to contenders. Miller, Berkman, Hidalgo, and Elarton were quickly brought up to help the ML team soon after the trade. Garcia/Guillien? Not so much. Of course, this course of action requires deep knowledge of minor league players and their projection into the major leagues. And one that (allegedly) Wade is good at. So if Wade truly is a wizard with the farm, he should be able to get some good ones. Other teams' Ben Zobrists or Freddy Garcia, if you will.

 

I bet this is going to happen between these two teams. The rangers are the only pitching hungry team that happens to be in Seattle's division. Plus I think Nolan Ryan wants him.

One thing I find funny is the abundance of articles out there that say Roy is untradeable and everyone needs to throw their prospects at Cliff Lee. I understand the whole argument that Cliff Lee makes less money and is less of a longterm commitment if he opts out and you offer arb... But seriously, they are acting like there are 10 Cliff Lees to be traded away. Only 1 team is going to get him! What the hell do they think the other pitching hungry teams are going to do? (if Roy hasn't been traded) I'm sure these are the same writers they seriously kissing the Yankee's feet (i'm being nice with that analogy) when they gave a 32 year old AJ Burnett that ridiculous deal last summer. I really hope that Roy does not get undervalued by managers all this bad press that is out there about it.

 

excellent post. I tried to rep you, but the rep nazi says I have to spread the love around some more first.

 

The trade is looking less likely from the Rangers' standpoint. This article appears in today's Dallas Morning News:

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/stories/062110dnsporangbriefs.1d52339.html

Rangers eye division-rival Seattle's pitcher Cliff Lee
12:12 AM CDT on Monday, June 21, 2010

By ANTHONY ANDRO and JEFF WILSON / Special Contributor to The Dallas Morning News

HOUSTON – The Rangers' pursuit of a starting pitcher before the July 31 trade deadline might not be hampered by the concern of striking a deal with a team in their division. Left-hander Cliff Lee, pitching for the last-place Mariners, is on the Rangers' list of potential targets.

The Rangers considered dealing Mark Teixeira within the division in 2007 before trading the first baseman to Atlanta , along with Ron Mahay, for five prospects. Four of them were on the opening day roster this year, and two – Elvis Andrus and Neftali Feliz – could be All-Stars next month.

"I'm not opposed to trading in the division, if it's the best thing for our club," general manager Jon Daniels said. "It all depends on the specifics of the situation. The reality is, while most teams say they don't have an issue trading within the division, few actually do."

A deal for Lee would probably net the Mariners some of the Rangers' top prospects, though not as many as a deal for Roy Oswalt potentially would. The Astros' ace is also under contract for 2011. Lee can become a free agent after this season.

Manager Ron Washington said he's pleased with the way his rotation has held up and responded to injuries. That doesn't mean he wouldn't welcome a new starter.

"We can use another starter, a front-line guy," Washington said. "If we don't, we can't concern ourselves with something we don't have. But certainly we want a front-line starter."

 

A deal for Lee just makes more sense. They know he can pitch in the AL and his contract ends after this season.

 

why do you assume it's a good thing his contract ends after this season? If we could have had Randy Johnson for 2 years instead of 1, I think we'd have been pretty happy. I guess the ownership situation might be the only reason they'd be happier with just 1 season committed.

And do you honestly think Roy *can't* pitch in the AL? I can't imagine that's a stopping point for any GM

I could see a team going for a lefty over a righty if their needs dictated that.. and we've gone over the high $$ amount. If a team can get over those things, I think it's Roy > Lee.