Astros GM Ed Wade told Zachary Levine of the Houston Chronicle that the team has discussed a multi-year deal with Wandy Rodriguez, but not with Michael Bourn and Hunter Pence, who are further away from free agency. Rodriguez hits free agency after the 2011 season, Bourn after the 2012 season and Pence after the 2013 season.
Rodriguez’s representatives approached Wade about a deal during the season, but the sides postponed serious talks until the winter. A year ago, the Astros won their arbitration case against the left-hander, limiting him to a $5MM salary in 2010.
An extension would likely pay Rodriguez $7-8MM in 2011 and $10MM or more for each season of free agency the Astros buy out. Tim Dierkes suggested this summer that Joe Blanton’s three-year $24MM contract could become a model for the Astros and Rodriguez.
The 31-year-old posted a 3.60 ERA with 8.2 K/9 and 3.1 BB/9 in 195 innings last year. It was the third consecutive season he has had an ERA of 3.60 or better and a strikeout rate of 8.0 per nine or better.
I guess their reasoning makes sense, but I have been saying since the end of 2008 that they need to deal Wandy. Especially now that the team is heading down the “rebuilding” road. It makes no sense paying him that kind of money when there is likely a good return in prospects if he were dealt…which would be a lot easier without a long term contract.
Just a thought.
Not that it is going to happen, but if he signs a decent multiple year contract, that will not make it more difficult to deal him, it will make it easier.
As of right now teams would be trading for a 1 year rental, if he is signed to a long term contract, he isn’t a rental.
I think this is the test so to speak to see what he’d cost, and then the team will go from there, my guess is it a sign he’s gonna get dealt.
I think this is the test so to speak to see what he’d cost, and then the team will go from there, my guess is it a sign he’s gonna get dealt.
Not that it is going to happen, but if he signs a decent multiple year contract, that will not make it more difficult to deal him, it will make it easier.
As of right now teams would be trading for a 1 year rental, if he is signed to a long term contract, he isn’t a rental.
Might think of it the other way around, but Wandy has showed over the past 3 seasons that he is for real, and he is definetly one of my top 10 favorite players in the game. A great guy, I made a fan sign for him at Citi and he came over to me after Fernando pointed me out. But hes showing that he’s not going to regress, he doesn’t even over power anybody, he gets it done with stuff and his K numbers show it.
I think they should definetly lock him up, going in to his contract year, there will probably be many interested teams right now, and especially at the trade deadline, but regardless of his current value, he is a guy thats excelled on the Astros and deserves a contract extension. I’d like to see them give the late bloomer something like 3/25-28…or 4/35-40…He’s left handed and I don’t think Joe Blanton is the best comparison…I think Tim Hudson’s recent deal would make sense…Not that Wandy had an injury or anything, but I think it would make sense.
Wandy has been a model citizen here, and after the first half of last season he came to his senses and pitched as he was expected to. In fairness, the first half was a wash for the Astros as a team, not just Wandy.
I would just love to see the Astros be proactive in getting a solid return for him. Especially since they don’t figure to “contend” for another 2 years. By then, you may not get the same production from him, and if they aren’t in the mix at that point he’s not going to bring as much as he would now. Like you said, there are likely several teams that would be interested…which means there should be a nice return for him.
Doesn’t matter what I say, because he’s not going anywhere.
Wandy still goes out there the first half of the year and pees himself on the mound, then in the second half, he deals. If the can get a decent package for him I would trade him. Evil Wandy still comes on alot more than it should.
They should lock him up. The thing about Wandy is he has EXTREME home/road splits, and has throughout his entire career. At Minute Maid Park, he is an ace. On the road, he is just an average starting pitcher.
So I think he’s more valuable to the Astros than to any other team. The Astros might not contend over the next few years, but there is a small chance depending on how all the young players turn out over that time, and if they don’t sign Wandy they are just going to sign some free agent who is worse to eat the same innings.
I’d like Kenny Williams to kick the tires on Hunter Pence. See what Wade wants.
The White Sox don’t have anything worth trading a player of Pence’s quality for in their minor league system, so it would require a good young major league player, and I don’t see a fit among the ones on Chicago’s roster.
I’m open to dealing any and everyone, but dealing Pence would need to be hefty. Young All-Stars with team friendly contracts don’t grow on trees… It would take a nice haul for me to be comfortable parting with Pence.
28 is really not “young”, or at least what I would describe as young (26 and under).
I’m open to dealing any and everyone, but dealing Pence would need to be hefty. Young All-Stars with team friendly contracts don’t grow on trees… It would take a nice haul for me to be comfortable parting with Pence.
Not one player, no, but they have the pieces to make a deal. I would think Mitchell and Viciedo would be a damn good start. Pence is good at a lot of things, but not great at anything, and is 28 come next season. I wouldn’t quite expect a huge haul for him (like Rasmus would get).
The Astros already basically have the same player as Viciedo (Chris Johnson). Mitchell is a good prospect, but he’s so far off.
Well, Johnson has less power, and is 4 1/2 years older, and plays a different position. I guess the only thing they really have in common is that they both don’t take very many walks, and strike out at similar rates.
They are both right-handed batting third basemen, both with iffy gloves at the hot corner, both with above average power, both with mediocre contact ability and poor patience, both with high line drive rates and high BABIP which has allowed them to hit for average so far in their career (which will likely come down through regression to the mean).They are very similar in my opinion. But yes, Viciedo is a lot younger. That’s fair.
Get him Orem lol
They are both right-handed batting third basemen, both with iffy gloves at the hot corner, both with above average power, both with mediocre contact ability and poor patience, both with high line drive rates and high BABIP which has allowed them to hit for average so far in their career (which will likely come down through regression to the mean).They are very similar in my opinion. But yes, Viciedo is a lot younger. That’s fair.
Something very good with Gordon Beckham involved.
Who says the Astros can’t contend? They were a greater than .500 ballclub for the last 115 games of the season…..after they traded some old-timers and got younger. I think if they add a 5th starter, a left-handed reliever out of the bullpen and another bat in the lineup they could contend. Not that they will be world beaters but in a weak division 85-90 victories could be all they need. And they had 76 last year and won most of those the last 2/3 of the season. I think the Rodriguez deal would be to keep him in Houston — even if we assume they can’t contend over the next couple of years, he would only be 33 years old in 2013 – still relatively young for a veteran starter. And by that time if their plans hold they should definitely be in a position to contend.