Running Down Rumors

[barzilla]

Supposedly, one of the Houston radio stations reported that the Astros are talking to the DRays about Aubrey Huff. Supposedly, it would involve Jason Lane and two prospects. Anyone else heard this? Maybe I'm just trying to create a little life in here but let's take a look at his numbers.

. . . . . .PA. . . .OBP. . . .SLG. . . .SO. . . .BB. . . .HR. . . .RBI
2001. ..434.. . .288. . . .372. . . ..72. . . .23. . . ...8. . . .45
2002. ..494.. . .364. . . .520. . . ..55. . . .37. . . .23. . . .59
2003. ..706.. . .367. . . .555. . . ..80. . . .53. . . .34. . ..107
2004. ..667.. . .360. . . .493. . . ..74. . . .56. . . .29. . ..103
2005. ..394.. . .326. . . .423. . . ..62. . . .30. . . .12. . ...59

To me this seems like a steep price to pay for someone that at his best barely surpassed a 900 OPS and currently has a 750 OPS. Now, how much of this is languishing in Tampa Bay and how much of this is who he is? He is 28 so he is presumably in his prime. Yet, when we take his career aggregately we are looking at a guy that has a .342 OBP and 473 SLG that might hit between 20 and 25 home runs a season. Is that worth a current semi-regular and two good prospects? Hmmmm........

[Toy Cannon]

It would depend upon the 2 prospects. Any mention of Troy Patton or Fernando Nieve and the conversation should be over. IMO, Huff is an upgrade over Lane offensively, but I don't know much about his glove. I suspect it's not as good as Jason's (and Jason is no threat to win a gold glove). The thing that is attractive about Huff is that he is signed through 2006.

[PopTop]

I like Huff and, though I don't know him or know squat about him really, he seems like a type of personality and player that would fit with this club. Also don't know his contract situation ($$$ owed in 2006). But agree with Toy: Depends on who the two prospects were. It really is a thin trade market this season, and I hate paying Randy Johnson or Carlos Beltran prices for AJ Burnett or Aubrey Huff. If we can deal an intermediate prospect for some decent bullpen help, I still think that's the best way (i.e., cheapest way without really putting our already thin minor leagues in a bigger hole) to improve this club right now.

[barzilla]

Agreed on that front Pops. It looks like a lot of the stuff we've been arguing about is academic. Supposedly, there is a three team trade in the works to send Ramirez to the Mets; Cameron, Huff, and Baez to the Red Sox; and four prospects (two from Boston and two from NY) to the Devil Rays.....

That obviously squashes this rumor if that rumor is true. (Say that ten times as fast you can) Seriously, I think any team that acquires Huff is hoping you have a star player hidden on a horrible team. I just don't know how that could be. He has hovered between an 850 and 900 OPS three years in a row before this one. It is true that he will drive in and score more runs on a better team by virtue of having additional opportunities, but I'm not sure he would be a dramatically better player.

As for relievers, I actually like the idea of Arthur Rhodes from Cleveland more than Ron (Ball Four) Villone but I'm still not sure why it has to be a left-hander. It seems to me that what you really want is someone other than Wheeler that you can REALLY rely on in the late innings. You get a setup kind of guy and suddenly Qualls/Burns/Springer/Gallo become true middle relievers. Harville becomes an Express and you don't really mess with the chemistry whatsoever.

[PopTop]

Supposedly, there is a three team trade in the works to send Ramirez to the Mets...Let's hope Manny takes until Monday to report ;)

We agree on the reliever idea: I'd rather have a good, hard-throwing right-hander and replace the Harville slot.

[barzilla]

Amen to that.

[Big R]

i dont think it would help em out that much but then again astros are on fire so another bat wouldnt hurt