Interesting. I had hoped we could get more for him, but now that I think about it, this is probably about what Ward is worth in the eyes of most teams. Oh well, there is a chance he could turn into a great hitter and burn us, but something needed to be done to loosen up the OF logjam, and either Ward or Merced seemed like the easiest guys to trade. I'm glad they chose Ward.
Wow....... I have to believe there was a better deal out there than this.... Watch him have a break out year. I wish him the best.
http://espn.go.com/mlb/news/2003/0125/1498861.html HOUSTON -- The Houston Astros on Saturday traded outfielder Daryle Ward, who has yet to live up to his power-hitting potential, to the Los Angeles Dodgers for a minor-league pitcher. Ward, 27, who stood to be pushed out of the lineup by Craig Biggio's move to the outfield, was traded for right-hander Ruddy Lugo. Biggio was shifted to make room for free agent signee Jeff Kent at second base. "Daryle has made a solid contribution to our ballclub over the last few years, especially on two of our (NL Central) championship teams,'' Houston general manager Gerry Hunsicker said. "He is still a young player with great talent, and I hope this opportunity will be positive for his career. We certainly wish him well.'' In Lugo, brother of Astros shortstop Julio Lugo, the Astros replenish some of the minor-league pitching depth they've lost in recent years through promotions of several young hurlers to the big leagues. Ruddy Lugo, 22, was a combined 10-3 with a 2.89 ERA at Class A Vero Beach and Class AA Jacksonville last year. He was a third-round selection of the Milwaukee Brewers in the 1999 draft and was traded to Los Angeles along with outfielder Marquis Grissom in exchange for outfielder Devon White last February. "Lugo gives us another solid arm to add to our system who figures to contribute to our major league club in the coming years,'' Hunsicker said. The 6-foor-2, 240-pound Ward recently avoided arbitration by signing a one-year, $1.35 million contract. Ward, son of former major-leaguer Gary Ward, soared through the club's farm system and burst on the scene in 2000 with 20 home runs in just 264 at-bats. His numbers fell off in a reserve role the following year, but he was promoted to the starting lineup for 2002 when Moises Alou signed with the Chicago Cubs. Ward, whose size limits his fielding range, responded with just 12 home runs and 72 RBIs in 453 at-bats. He hit .276 last season. "This trade was primarily made to reduce our payroll and also to ease the logjam that we currently have in the outfield with the move of Craig Biggio to centerfield,'' Hunsicker said. The Astros, who have said they are at their salary limit, have begun discussions with Biggio over a contract extension. Ward came to Houston in December 1996 as part of a massive trade with Detroit, which sent Ward, Brad Ausmus, Jose Lima, Trever Miller and C.J. Nitkowski to the Astros in exchange for Doug Brocail, Brian Hunter, Todd Jones and Orlando Miller.
I would hope people would have a little bit more respect for Biggio by now then that, but then again I'm probably wrong.
I hope we keep Merced. He is a good bench player. He always has timely hits. I still say we need a veteren arm.
A couple of seasons ago, I was excited for what Ward could potentially bring to the table. But I grew tired of his inconsistency and lack of production. So I'm glad he's gone. Now I hope the Astros get rid of Hidalgo. Zaun I can understand, and maybe Lugo. But why would Ausmus end up being the 'Stros whipping boy? Anyway, I too say Hidalgo.
I can't see Ausmus being the whipping boy. Most people expect him to handle the staff, not be the star at the plate. He's never been a great hitter, but few will argue that he does wonders with the pitchers.
