Astros

[Nconroe]

I guess I don't blame Carlos for turning down the trade, but, I think he should have accepted the trade as a courtesy to Astros who have made him a very wealthy person and need to start rebuilding sooner, rather than later.

[HPF Bob]

Three months of playing for a contender vs. three months of taking up space in Houston? If I were Luhnow, I might have said "If you want any chance of coming back to play for us next year, don't cross us now." The Dodgers had made a very generous offer - they were absorbing most of the contract and giving up a well-regarded A-ball pitcher. I think as more media people thought the Astros had made a good deal, the Dodgers realized this was a 260-lb mistake.

[Nconroe]

Ok, thanks Miami and Carlos for agreeing to go.

Found a little on two guys Astros got on Sbnation,

Matt Dominguez, 3B: Dominguez was drafted by the Marlins in the first round in 2007, from high school in Chatsworth, California. Age 22, he is renowned for his excellent defensive ability at third base, where he has the range, hands, and arm strength to be a Gold Glove winner. Unfortunately, he has been disappointing with the bat, hitting just .247/.302/.396 in 165 games of Triple-A over the last year and a half, showing power at times, but frustrating scouts with his inability to make adjustments. He is still young enough to improve and perhaps the change of scenery will unlock his ability.

Rob Rasmussen, LHP: Rasmussen was drafted in the second round in 2010, out of UCLA. He is pitching in the High-A Florida State League this year at age 23, posting a 3.90 ERA with a 75/36 K/BB in 88 innings with 83 hits allowed. Rasmussen is undersized at 5-9, 160, but he has good arm strength and works in the low-90s, mixing in a curve, slider, and changeup. Rasmussen threw strikes in college but has had mixed results as a pro, and has not dominated the lower levels of the farm system. He could be a fifth starter but is more probably a reliever in the long run.

[HPF Bob]

Carlos didn't "agree" to go anymore than a tenant agrees to be evicted. I doubt the Marlins were on his no-trade list because, back in 2006, the Marlins were still living on the cheap and would have never traded for somebody expensive like Carlos Lee.

When you veto a trade, teams don't generally react well. Yes, it was within Carlos' rights but it's like refusing a favor to the Godfather. You may win temporarily but the don won't forget.

[painekiller]

Originally Posted by HPF Bob

Carlos didn't "agree" to go anymore than a tenant agrees to be evicted. I doubt the Marlins were on his no-trade list because, back in 2006, the Marlins were still living on the cheap and would have never traded for somebody expensive like Carlos Lee.

When you veto a trade, teams don't generally react well. Yes, it was within Carlos' rights but it's like refusing a favor to the Godfather. You may win temporarily but the don won't forget.

Seems Carlos had something like 16 teams that he could veto the trade with, and as you pointed out, the Marlins were not on that list. Thus he had no say in the trade.

[Nconroe]

Good luck in future and a big thanks for the many years as a contributing Astro to Wandy Rodriguez.

Seems Astros have now dumped all the guys they could to get prospects into their farm system and hopefully begin rebuilding fairly soon.

Guess we will see how patient everyone is with the rebuilding. I do think the new GM seems to know what he is doing and so it won't be too long.

[Keith]

Astros cleaned house with yet another trade, Chris Johnson to Arizona.

Frankly, I love what they're doing this year. I don't care if they lose 125 next year letting these kids develop. Time to stockpile some early picks.

They goofed in prior years giving up such good talent for middling returns, but this new administration is taking a risk worth taking. Should be fun watching these guys grow up over the next 3-4 seasons.