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Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Houston Chronicle: Justice - Wolf trade shows reality has yet to sink in for Astros

Wade sold the line that he’s not giving up on this season because he saw the Astros win 18 of 24 at one point and believes that’s what they’re still capable of.

“We’ve got a million games left in our own division,” Wade said. “Our fate rests in our hands.”

This is ridiculous. The Astros have played 100 games. They’re near the bottom of the National League in offense and pitching. They’re tied with the Pirates for last place in the National League Central.

Their challenge isn’t to catch the Cubs or Brewers, but to somehow stay head of the Pirates.
...
Here’s the best part of all. The Astros may end up paying him $3.5 million for making a dozen starts for a team that’s going nowhere.

Wolf will get $175,000 for each of his next nine starts. He’ll get a $250,000 bonus if he pitches 190 innings and another $500,000 if he gets to 200. He’ll get whatever is left on his $4.75-million base salary.

NTNgod Posted: July 23, 2008 at 04:00 AM | 9 comment(s)
Related News: General, Houston

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1. MM1f Posted: July 23, 2008 at 04:10 AM (#2869243)

Man.
Randy Wolf being 31 makes me feel old. I remember when he was a really good looking young pitcher, it seems like just a couple years ago. His curve man him a fun lefty to watch.

2. Shooty: Now rated AAA by Moody's! Posted: July 23, 2008 at 08:11 AM (#2869270)

I get why this trade is considered silly, but it only costs the Astros money so it's not so bad as long as it doesn't take money away from what they'll spend in development. Of course, that's the million dollar question we have no way of knowing.

Also I doubt they'll get any compensation for Wolf as I doubt they'll offer him arbitration. The Padres sure weren't which explains why they were happy just to get the salary relief and a sort-of warm body.

3. The Essex Snead Posted: July 23, 2008 at 09:34 AM (#2869310)

The only reason Wolf's stats have been remotely respectable this year is due to his home / away splits -- he's Santana-esque @ Petco (65.1 IP / 62 K / 3.17 ERA / 1.26 WHIP) and Ponson-esque elsewhere (54.1 IP / 43 K / 6.63 ERA / 1.62 WHIP). And now his home starts will be @ the Juice Box instead of one of baseball's more forgiving pitcher's parks. Brilliant, Ed.

4. JPWF13 Posted: July 23, 2008 at 09:45 AM (#2869325)

It's kind of like the Pirates trade for Matt Morris last year
except:
1: Morris was a lot more expensive
2: Morris had pitched decently more recently than Wolf

5. chick-a-DOOM chick-a-DOOM Posted: July 23, 2008 at 09:53 AM (#2869329)

shooty

of COURSE it will take money away from development!!!!!!!!!!!

that is the problem!!!!!!!!!!!

the owner is simply NOT willing to spend money on good prospects or the minors. and at this point does not look like wolf will even be a type B.

and that moron wade is trying to sign him to a long term contract. we didn't get enough woody williams is all i can say

6. Shooty: Now rated AAA by Moody's! Posted: July 23, 2008 at 09:56 AM (#2869333)

and that moron wade is trying to sign him to a long term contract.

If he does this, then yeah, he is a moron.

7. Mayor Blomberg Posted: July 23, 2008 at 11:42 AM (#2869415)

No, it will not take money away from player development.

This is the Astros we're talking about. What player development?

8. jwb Posted: July 23, 2008 at 01:34 PM (#2869511)

Their Appy League team is at .500!

9. Shooty: Now rated AAA by Moody's! Posted: July 23, 2008 at 01:40 PM (#2869519)

B-Pro actually has nice things to say about Reinecke. If he really is the back of the rotation starter, then the Astros were completely hosed on this deal.

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Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Houston Chronicle: Justice - Wolf trade shows reality has yet to sink in for Astros

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