barzilla
07-02-2004, 03:59 PM
I thought this article was interesting. If Gerry can bring us another reliever he is my executive of the year even if Jimy puts this team in the toilet.
Astros likely not finished trading
Left-handed reliever remains on team's wish list
By Alyson Footer / MLB.com
Astros GM Gerry Hunsicker, who might be more aggressive than in past Julys, would like to shore up Houston's bullpen. (Alyson Footer/MLB.com)
HOUSTON -- While pulling off one of those last-minute deals in the 11th hour on July 31 adds an intriguing and dramatic flair, it's not a requirement that teams must wait until then to improve their clubs.
Houston Astros general manager Gerry Hunsicker proved that when he nabbed center fielder Carlos Beltran from the Kansas City Royals five weeks before the deadline.
"Everybody focuses on the trade deadline as this magical time when teams make big trades," Hunsicker said. "Certainly that happens on occasion. Whether it's a week before the trading deadline or a month before the trading deadline, you're either going to make them or you're not."
The Beltran deal, which sent Octavio Dotel and catching prospect John Buck to Oakland (who turned around and shipped him to Kansas City), is likely the only splashy blockbuster trade the Astros will make. But that is not to say Hunsicker is done dealing.
"We were fortunate this year to make a very, very big trade a month before the trading deadline," he said. "In my mind, that increases the probability that we won't be doing much come trading deadline. However, a month is a long time and I don't know what kind of position this team is going to be in a month from now. I don't know that the injury status of the players will be, which would affect decisions regarding a trade at that time."
If Hunsicker conducts another trade, it will likey be for bullpen help, and Detroit's Ugueth Urbina and Oakland's Arthur Rhodes are two relievers rumored to be on the Astros' radar screen. Because of Hunsicker's desire for a left-hander, Rhodes might be the more prominent pursuit.
"We've made a couple changes to our bullpen already," Hunsicker said. "But as we move toward the trading deadline, I still believe the bullpen is probably our primary focus. Particularly, the left-handed reliever."
Righty or lefty, Hunsicker is targeting veterans, as evidenced by the acquisition of right-hander David Weathers in a deal that shipped Richard Hidalgo to the Mets.
Right-hander Russ Springer, who pitched for Houston in 1997, recently joined the Triple-A New Orleans Zephyrs. He may be able to help in the final two months of the season.
"I just think you have a better chance of knowing what you're going to get with a veteran than you do a younger player," Hunsicker said. "The most talented young players aren't going to be on the trade block unless you're going to make a legitimate trade involving one of your top players for one of somebody else's."
The Astros do not have much wiggle room in that respect. Considering they are going to turn to many of their young players to fill out next year's roster, they are not in a great position to offer up many more future Major Leaguers for the sake of this year's club.
But the Astros also realize this is probably the last chance for a championship with the current group of veteran players. Roger Clemens might retire, Carlos Beltran will be a free agent and the club will have to decide if it wants to pick up options on the contracts of Jeff Kent and Craig Biggio. Only Andy Pettitte, Jeff Bagwell and Brad Ausmus are signed beyond this season.
With that in mind, Hunsicker may be more aggressive than he has in the past as the deadline approaches.
But if the Astros continue to underachieve, as they have for much of the last six weeks, could they turn into sellers instead of buyers on July 31?
"I don't like to think that way, obviously," Hunsicker said. "But I couldn't rule out a scenario where we might have to address that."
Alyson Footer is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
Astros likely not finished trading
Left-handed reliever remains on team's wish list
By Alyson Footer / MLB.com
Astros GM Gerry Hunsicker, who might be more aggressive than in past Julys, would like to shore up Houston's bullpen. (Alyson Footer/MLB.com)
HOUSTON -- While pulling off one of those last-minute deals in the 11th hour on July 31 adds an intriguing and dramatic flair, it's not a requirement that teams must wait until then to improve their clubs.
Houston Astros general manager Gerry Hunsicker proved that when he nabbed center fielder Carlos Beltran from the Kansas City Royals five weeks before the deadline.
"Everybody focuses on the trade deadline as this magical time when teams make big trades," Hunsicker said. "Certainly that happens on occasion. Whether it's a week before the trading deadline or a month before the trading deadline, you're either going to make them or you're not."
The Beltran deal, which sent Octavio Dotel and catching prospect John Buck to Oakland (who turned around and shipped him to Kansas City), is likely the only splashy blockbuster trade the Astros will make. But that is not to say Hunsicker is done dealing.
"We were fortunate this year to make a very, very big trade a month before the trading deadline," he said. "In my mind, that increases the probability that we won't be doing much come trading deadline. However, a month is a long time and I don't know what kind of position this team is going to be in a month from now. I don't know that the injury status of the players will be, which would affect decisions regarding a trade at that time."
If Hunsicker conducts another trade, it will likey be for bullpen help, and Detroit's Ugueth Urbina and Oakland's Arthur Rhodes are two relievers rumored to be on the Astros' radar screen. Because of Hunsicker's desire for a left-hander, Rhodes might be the more prominent pursuit.
"We've made a couple changes to our bullpen already," Hunsicker said. "But as we move toward the trading deadline, I still believe the bullpen is probably our primary focus. Particularly, the left-handed reliever."
Righty or lefty, Hunsicker is targeting veterans, as evidenced by the acquisition of right-hander David Weathers in a deal that shipped Richard Hidalgo to the Mets.
Right-hander Russ Springer, who pitched for Houston in 1997, recently joined the Triple-A New Orleans Zephyrs. He may be able to help in the final two months of the season.
"I just think you have a better chance of knowing what you're going to get with a veteran than you do a younger player," Hunsicker said. "The most talented young players aren't going to be on the trade block unless you're going to make a legitimate trade involving one of your top players for one of somebody else's."
The Astros do not have much wiggle room in that respect. Considering they are going to turn to many of their young players to fill out next year's roster, they are not in a great position to offer up many more future Major Leaguers for the sake of this year's club.
But the Astros also realize this is probably the last chance for a championship with the current group of veteran players. Roger Clemens might retire, Carlos Beltran will be a free agent and the club will have to decide if it wants to pick up options on the contracts of Jeff Kent and Craig Biggio. Only Andy Pettitte, Jeff Bagwell and Brad Ausmus are signed beyond this season.
With that in mind, Hunsicker may be more aggressive than he has in the past as the deadline approaches.
But if the Astros continue to underachieve, as they have for much of the last six weeks, could they turn into sellers instead of buyers on July 31?
"I don't like to think that way, obviously," Hunsicker said. "But I couldn't rule out a scenario where we might have to address that."
Alyson Footer is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.