D-backs add Haren, deal Valverde

[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

ing Mulder

[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 Pe , 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