[Rotoworld.Com] Jose Cruz Jr. designated outfielder assignment again

Err, <B>unless</B> you get a major upgrade.

 

Thanks goodness that Moyer vetoed that deal.

I know we have discussed this over numerous pages before now but just reading that again just makes me wanna choke Purpura.

Maybe Fernando has an arthritic arm we do not know about or some sort of bad news that is unknown to us all. Again, Fernando is not smoking his peers in AAA but I'd be miffed if he was traded for Moyer (even if Digger Phelps was included in that deal).

 

already on ESPNEWS, Cruz Jr. traded to Dodgers for player to be named later.

 

Damn.

 

The Astros could claim him and block the trade if they were so inclined right?

 

"Claiming" starts with the league the player is in so every AL team essentially passed on Cruz. It then switches to the other league and the order goes from worst to best.

 

I don't understand all of the fascination with Cruz. His lifetime average is .248 and his OBP is .336. He MAY be an upgrade over Burke, but the upgrade over Burke is already sitting on the Astros bench in the person of Palmeiro.

 

Nope. Most likely, Cruz was put on waivers, and the Dodgers claimed him (before we would have a chance to do anything). If that happens, Boston can then negotiate a trade with them, as long as all the players involved cleared waivers (he was the only major leaguer, so that's taken care of).

 

the only explanation for it is his father. that's it. if he had any other name, no one here would be interested in acquiring him.

 

That is exactly it.

 

I don't think Cruz has had an OPS his entire career lower than .750. He's around .780 this year and around .830 against righties. I don't see how there's much question he's an upgrade over Burke. Yes, I agree that Palmeiro is also an upgrade... but Garner seems reluctant to start him every day, even against righties. It's clear (imo) that Garner prefers Palmeiro to be in the fourth OF role, so I wouldn't mind seeing if there's another OF to be had.

For me, it has nothing to do with his name. I was just as intrigued by the Eric Byrnes, Larry Bigbie and Randy Winn types at the deadline. As long as we're starting Chris Burke, any outfielder with a .750 OPS - and maybe even a .700 OPS - is someone I'd be thrilled to see on this team.

That said, he's already off the market again so this discussion isn't too relevant.

 

For Boston it wasn't

 

In short, the Astros have had reservations about his "makeup" for years. Hunsicker wanted no part of him, despite numerous opportunities to acquire Cheito. It seems the Astros under Purpura have not changed that thinking.

Things may have been different in Houston, and he may have made a good 4/5th OFer, but it's just not that big a deal.

 

The Red Sox, even missing Nixon, have arguably the best lineup in the league today and probably one of the better ones in the history of the game. No, Cruz probably wasn't good enough there... but it's a different story for the Astros and their lineup.

 

The heck with Cheito, let's get his dad and that "chop-chop" swing of his back in uniform! He should still be good for a handful of RBI doubles!

 

Yeah, no kidding. Most definitely when the next time the Astros wear the Rainbow throwbacks!

 

Does anybody have any idea if or when the Astros will wear the throwback rainbows?

 

I hope not this year, the last time they wore them the Rangers kicked their ass.

 

Yea, but to be fair, we had Redding pitching that day.