D-backs add Haren, deal Valverde

[Horry For 3!]

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071214&content_id=2326595&vkey=hotstove2007&fext=.jsp

PHOENIX -- The D-backs completed a deal to acquire right-handers Dan Haren and Connor Robertson from the A's in exchange for six prospects, it was announced Friday afternoon.
In addition, the D-backs sent closer Jose Valverde to the Astros in exchange for infielder Chris Burke and right-handers Chad Qualls and Juan Gutierrez.

Included in the trade to Oakland are pitchers Brett Anderson, Greg Smith and Dana Eveland along with outfielders Carlos Gonzalez and Aaron Cunningham and first baseman Chris Carter.

[Horry For 3!]

Looks like tha Stros found a closer, although I liked Qualls. I guess it is true that the Astros are trying to win this year cause Valverde is a bit old.

[Horry For 3!]

As for the A's situation, Carlos Gonzalez could be really good.

[misterx91578]

Looks like tha Stros found a closer, although I liked Qualls. I guess it is true that the Astros are trying to win this year cause Valverde is a bit old.

how is Valverde old he is 28?

[Horry For 3!]

how is Valverde old he is 28?
Hmmmm, I thought he was like 35 or something. I guess he just seems old.


Pretty good trade then for the Stros.

[misterx91578]

good luck with Jose

[Horry For 3!]

good luck with Jose
He has to be better than Lidge.

[leemajors]

chad balls blew when it counted.

[DOMINATOR]

Qualls was good but for a sinker ball pitcher he gave up 3 times too many homeruns.

good trade for the astros.

[Horry For 3!]

Qualls was good but for a sinker ball pitcher he gave up 3 times too many homeruns.

good trade for the astros.
Yeah, i'll take Valverde over Lidge any day.

[tsb2000]

Woo-hoo! The DBacks got another ace in the rotation! :spin

[K-State Spur]

Interesting, second time in 3 days that a team basically gutted the top 10 of their farm system for 1 player. For Haren though, it's not a bad deal.

Astros made out like bandits in the second half of that trade. I've said in many threads that closers are overrated, and I'll keep saying to my grave, but goodness - one of the better closers in the game for good middle reliever + decent (but not outstanding) prospect. As for Burke, he should fit right in with the D'Backs offense (not a compliment).

[Johnny_Blaze_47]

I wonder how long that bag of Astros' grass clippings will last the D'backs.

[misterx91578]

Interesting, second time in 3 days that a team basically gutted the top 10 of their farm system for 1 player. For Haren though, it's not a bad deal.

Astros made out like bandits in the second half of that trade. I've said in many threads that closers are overrated, and I'll keep saying to my grave, but goodness - one of the better closers in the game for good middle reliever + decent (but not outstanding) prospect. As for Burke, he should fit right in with the D'Backs offense (not a compliment).

the dbacks got two players Dan Haren and Connor Robertson

Robertson has some nice strikeout numbers granted it was in the minors

the astros deal i dont have a problem with either Jose had 1 great year and now rumored to want a 4 year $40 million dollar deal

[K-State Spur]

i was going to ask one of you if money was a role in the astros deal. is valverde arbitration eligible?

Robertson does have some nice K/Rates and even better HR/Rates in the minors. That is somewhat countered by a Walk/Rate that is on the high side though. As long as he's not being counted on to be a main setup guy though, no big deal.

[misterx91578]

valverde is arbitration eligible

[OldDirtMcGirt]

Valverde is a quality player, but he absolutely scares the crap out of you every time he pitches. We did this to free up room for Max Scherzer to step into the closer role soon.

[K-State Spur]

You don't think you'd be wasting him in the pen?

Besides, he shouldn't even sniff the bigs until september at the earliest. He has yet to dominate AA.

[misterx91578]

You don't think you'd be wasting him in the pen?

Besides, he shouldn't even sniff the bigs until september at the earliest. He has yet to dominate AA.


I agree no need to rush Scherzer up we have other options as closer Pena(most likely), Lyon, Qualls, or you could try Cruz

[leemajors]

Valverde is a quality player, but he absolutely scares the crap out of you every time he pitches. We did this to free up room for Max Scherzer to step into the closer role soon.
just wait until chad balls takes the mound with a lead and a runner or two on base.

[sribb43]

chad balls blew when it counted.

:lol :lol :lol

[sribb43]

I know the A's wouldnt trade within the divison but damn Rangers should have dumped those shitty pitchers "DVD" when they had the chance

[OldDirtMcGirt]

You don't think you'd be wasting him in the pen?

Besides, he shouldn't even sniff the bigs until september at the earliest. He has yet to dominate AA.

Most of the scouting reports seem to point to him as being a dominant closer. And I agree that he probably won't make the club this season, but we don't want to pay Valverde, and I'm sure that Tony Pena can get it done in the closer role. Besides, we have a sick bullpen.

[K-State Spur]

There are some scouts that like to project any hard throwers without a dominant third pitch as a reliever.

from the sound of it, they're going to give him every chance as a starter - and they should.

[tsb2000]

Cruz would make a great closer for the DBacks. He throws nothing but lightning when he's out there.

[T Park]

Cruz blows come on. I've watched the act in Chicago, Cincy, Washington.

Its the same where ever he goes.


Congrats on getting Danny Haren a Cardinals farmer and should've been ace this year.

Him and Wainwright together would've been fantastic :depressed

Fucking Mulder :pctoss

[K-State Spur]

cruz has actually been above average 5 of his 7 years in the league.

but yeah, he does seem to crumble when the chips are down.

when he first came up, he looked like he was going to be a star - maybe a poor man's version of pedro.

[misterx91578]

well Valverde is good every other year

[JMarkJohns]

I very much like the deal for Haren. He's a legit #2 with #1 stuff and is a proven innings-eater, something the Diamondbacks needed with the departure of Hernandez and the uncertainty of Johnson. They gave up a lot of players for him, but really only three very good prospects in Gonzalez, Anderson and Cunningham. Carter could be, but he's only played as high as single A ball, so he's a very good question mark, little more.

I'm very impressed they didn't have to give up Scherzer or Parker, arguably their two best pitching prospects in the deal, and while the loss of Gonzalez sucks, they already have another five-tool OF prospect in Parra who should be ready in two or three years.

The Valverde and Callaspo deals confuse me, not that either was traded, only that I figured more could be net for Valverde. I like Qualls as Then Pena and Lyon could remain in their setup roles, Qualls and Cruz would be sixth/seventh inning relief and I'd like to see Petit, Nippert or Gonzalez get another crack at #5 starter. Nippert has a lot of potential and it's barely being tapped as a long reliever. Johnson has proven he can handle the pressure and would dominate for one inning two or three times a week.

I'd be excited to have Valverde if I was an Astros fan, but be warned that if a man gets on base vs. him, he's VERY likely to let him cross home plate. He's a very good closer, with good stuff, but his mentality see him become wild and unpredictable. He's kind of the magic 8-ball of closers. Still, he's solid, but his penchant for giving up homers could concern me.

I've read where Gutierrez was the Astros fourth-rated prospect and where Buckner was a highly-rated prospect for the Royals, but neither seems like more than a 4th or 5th starter.

Burke can play 1st/2nd/OF I've read, so he'll fit in nicely. Chase is a hitter's park (not a homer park), so perhaps his average can see an up-tick. I don't care about power so long as he can hit .280ish...

Overall, the moves excite me.

[K-State Spur]

actually, i'd go the other way. he's got #2 stuff, but has pitched like a #1.

[misterx91578]

Scherzer or Parker couldn't have been traded you need to be signed for at least a year before you can be traded