Aubrey Huff dealt to Houston

abailey3313 · 07-12-2006, 02:58 PM

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2517046

Let the trading begin!

rem · 07-12-2006, 02:59 PM

Haven't' heard of the prospects.

Mr.Opinion · 07-12-2006, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by remangiii

Haven't' heard of the prospects.

I had Mitch Talbot in one of my fictional 'real life' leagues. I got him from Houston then too.

abailey3313 · 07-12-2006, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by remangiii

Haven't' heard of the prospects.

Me neither.

I can't help but think Tampa might have dropped the ball on this one. As it says in the article, Huff had been the focus of trade speculation for at least the last three seasons -- meaning his name was originally tossed into trade when he was 27-28 years old.

Pre-ASG 2003: .304, 17 HR, 50 RBI - Post-ASG 2003: .320, 17 HR, 57 RBI
Pre-ASG 2004: .269, 13 HR, 52 RBI - Post-ASG 2004: .331, 16 HR, 52 RBI
Pre-ASG 2005: .256, 8 HR, 45 RBI - Post-ASG 2005: .267, 14 HR, 47 RBI
Pre-ASG 2006: .283, 8 HR, 28 RBI - Post-ASG 2006: N/A

Over the past few years, it seems like he's performed better prior to the All-Star Game (in terms of power numbers and runs driven in) and shown to be a darn good player after the ASG (his production dip last year was still an improvement over the first half of the year). I can't help but think for a player who has shown to improve after the break and whose value has consistently decreased, the Devil Rays could've done a lot better and likely would've got more had they worked out a deal in during or after 2004.

The value of a 30-year-old player isn't quite as high as that of a 27-28 year old.

Joshv02 · 07-12-2006, 03:13 PM

The SS in the deal is 25 and in AA. People like his OB skills, but he is 25 and in AA.

The P is a high draft choice from a few years ago out of HS and having a great year in AA.

I think they made out fine.

abailey3313 · 07-12-2006, 03:14 PM

Should've made them include Roger Clemens in the deal.

KILLERBS24 · 07-12-2006, 03:19 PM

Yuk! What a horrible deal for the Rays. A 25 yr old hitter in AA(Zobrist) with no upside, and Talbot who's ceiling appears to be 4th or 5th starter at best. Talbot was well thought of a few years back but hasn't really progressed quickly. They have to hope Talbot takes a big leap forward or this trade is a disaster.

Monkey Deathcar · 07-12-2006, 03:21 PM

The only reason the SS is in AA is because the Astros are notorious for brining their players up slowly. Local sports radio has been yelping about the need to call him and Hunter Pentz (sp?) up for over a month now.

Not bad deal for them, anyone who can make contact with the ball is better than 6-7 of their players now!

kuma78 · 07-12-2006, 03:24 PM

There is a good breakdown of the prospects on

www.futurerays.com

Jason · 07-12-2006, 03:32 PM

Well, it's no secret Tampa wouldn't be much in the next few years so there's no need to keep Huff around if you can get a good young arm. Not a bad deal for both sides.

JTWood · 07-12-2006, 03:37 PM

As a Cards fan, this deal upsets me greatly.

Skipaway · 07-12-2006, 03:38 PM

Where is Huff gonna play? His positions aren't exactly team needs, and it's kind of odd the Astros are talking about cutting into Ensberg's playing time.

Riverdome · 07-12-2006, 03:39 PM

So does this open the door for BJ Upton to play semi-regularly in Tampa?

jaxmagicman · 07-12-2006, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skipaway

Where is Huff gonna play? His positions aren't exactly team needs, and it's kind of odd the Astros are talking about cutting into Ensberg's playing time.

I am thinking that Huff or Ensberg will take Jason Lane's place since the Astros sent him AAA after they made the trade.

Skipaway · 07-12-2006, 04:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaxmagicman

I am thinking that Huff or Ensberg will take Jason Lane's place since the Astros sent him AAA after they made the trade.

It's funny that their three best hitters this year, Berkman, Lamb, and Ensberg are already crowding 1B and 3B, then they get Huff, another 1B/3B. They would need to put both Berkman and Huff in the outfield to really maximize this deal.

jaxmagicman · 07-12-2006, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skipaway

It's funny that their three best hitters this year, Berkman, Lamb, and Ensberg are already crowding 1B and 3B, then they get Huff, another 1B/3B. They would need to put both Berkman and Huff in the outfield to really maximize this deal.

Then who would play first? Only Huff or Ensberg or Berkman need to go to the Outfield. Not two of them.

theasfl · 07-12-2006, 04:28 PM

Advantage: D-Rays.

HoustonReplay · 07-12-2006, 04:30 PM

as long as Ensberg's shoulder continues to bother him, Huff should play a lot of 3B ... When Ensberg is healthy, Huff supposedly is quite qualified to play outfield. (so is Berkman, and Lamb "can" play OF, though Lamb may be the one who'll end up at 1b).
- Steven Copley "HoustonReplay"

Dark Horse · 07-12-2006, 04:40 PM

Huff can play the outfield. Purpura, the GM said he'd play in rightfield. But i have a feeling he'll end up playing left field.

From what i've heard Huff is basically a DH. Playing in front of the Crawford Boxes in left he'll only have a little room cover.

i'm thinking Lamb will bounce between 1b and 3b for the rest of the season. He's bad at third and a little better than that at first.

And Berkman will bounce between 1b and rf.

And Wilson will play rf when Berkman's not out there.

From the Astros end, they might have got off easy. It's a relatively low risk deal. Talbot has never been mentioned in Houston as a top pitching prospect. In fact, today was the first time i'd even heard his name. i would have thought they could have at least gotten Buckholtz, Wandy Rodriguez or Fernando Nieve.

And Zobrist, though 25, just popped on the scene here. Some stat guys happened to notice his BA & OBP. But, if he is really any good, the Astros would have been putting his name out there. We've known about Burke (who is only a year older than Zobrist) for several years now. Of course, he was a first round draft pick, and tabbed to replace Bidge at 2b. But they've done stories about him and the guy playing shortstop with him in the minors. And it wasn't Zobrist. And if the Astros really thought he was any good they would have at least tried him at ss. Because Everett doesn't do much at the plate. Zobrist wasn't even on the Astros' 40 man roster.

My conspiracy theory on Zobrist's inclusion in this deal was to keep the radio heads around hear from calling for Zobrist to be called up and put in the starting lineup... i also think Adam Everett stole whatever picture Mike Gallo was using to blackmail the team into keep him on the roster and now he's using them.

Skipaway · 07-12-2006, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaxmagicman

Then who would play first? Only Huff or Ensberg or Berkman need to go to the Outfield. Not two of them.

Lamb, who's the 2nd best hitter on the team this year, and better than Huff.

07-12-2006, 02:58 PM	#1
abailey3313 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 3,718	Aubrey Huff dealt to Houston http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2517046 Let the trading begin! __________________

07-12-2006, 02:59 PM	#2
rem Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: College Park, Md. Posts: 5,024	Haven't' heard of the prospects. __________________ OTBA: Washington Filibusters CLBR: Minnesota Twins 2005 Winner of LL's Pick the Loser Contest! - 15-0

07-12-2006, 03:13 PM	#5
Joshv02 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: , " Posts: 3,082	The SS in the deal is 25 and in AA. People like his OB skills, but he is 25 and in AA. The P is a high draft choice from a few years ago out of HS and having a great year in AA. I think they made out fine. __________________ Brookline Maccabees. RIP

07-12-2006, 03:14 PM	#6
abailey3313 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 3,718	Should've made them include Roger Clemens in the deal. __________________

07-12-2006, 03:19 PM	#7
KILLERBS24 All Star Reserve Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 938	Yuk! What a horrible deal for the Rays. A 25 yr old hitter in AA(Zobrist) with no upside, and Talbot who's ceiling appears to be 4th or 5th starter at best. Talbot was well thought of a few years back but hasn't really progressed quickly. They have to hope Talbot takes a big leap forward or this trade is a disaster. __________________ Asterisked legacy: Barry Bonds, the greatest steroid user ever Last edited by KILLERBS24; 07-12-2006 at 03:20 PM.

07-12-2006, 03:21 PM	#8
Monkey Deathcar Minors (Single A) Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 58	The only reason the SS is in AA is because the Astros are notorious for brining their players up slowly. Local sports radio has been yelping about the need to call him and Hunter Pentz (sp?) up for over a month now. Not bad deal for them, anyone who can make contact with the ball is better than 6-7 of their players now! __________________ "I had a small house of brokerage on Wall Street. Many days no business comes to my hut. Jimmy has fear? A thousand times no. I never doubted myself for a minute, for I knew that my monkey-strong bowels were girded with strength like the loins of a dragon ribboned with fat and the opulence of buffalo...dung"

07-12-2006, 03:24 PM	#9
kuma78 Major Leagues Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Wake Forest, NC Posts: 437	There is a good breakdown of the prospects on www.futurerays.com __________________ Looking for informative and entertaining Cubs baseball talk? Check out The View From The Bleachers

07-12-2006, 03:32 PM	#10
Jason Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 3,845	Well, it's no secret Tampa wouldn't be much in the next few years so there's no need to keep Huff around if you can get a good young arm. Not a bad deal for both sides.

07-12-2006, 03:37 PM	#11
JTWood Minors (Double A) Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 164	As a Cards fan, this deal upsets me greatly.

07-12-2006, 03:38 PM	#12
Skipaway Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Where you live Posts: 11,017	Where is Huff gonna play? His positions aren't exactly team needs, and it's kind of odd the Astros are talking about cutting into Ensberg's playing time. __________________ Jonathan Haidt: Moral reasoning is really just a servant masquerading as a high priest.

07-12-2006, 03:39 PM	#13
Riverdome All Star Reserve Join Date: May 2002 Location: Ohio Posts: 964	So does this open the door for BJ Upton to play semi-regularly in Tampa? __________________ I was at the first OOTP Conference, where were you?..........

07-12-2006, 04:28 PM	#17
theasfl Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Coral Springs, FL or Orlando, FL (UCF) Posts: 7,988	Advantage: D-Rays. __________________ All-Sports Fantasy League The ASFL 22 different games, 9 sports. Please check out the website (www.theasfl.com/asfl2/). The league is free- if you're interested please fill out the signup form and/or email the commissioner. Miami Talons (ABL): 2004, 2005 & 2008 Champs

07-12-2006, 04:30 PM	#18
HoustonReplay Bat Boy Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 13	as long as Ensberg's shoulder continues to bother him, Huff should play a lot of 3B ... When Ensberg is healthy, Huff supposedly is quite qualified to play outfield. (so is Berkman, and Lamb "can" play OF, though Lamb may be the one who'll end up at 1b). - Steven Copley "HoustonReplay" Last edited by HoustonReplay; 07-12-2006 at 04:34 PM.

07-12-2006, 04:40 PM	#19
Dark Horse Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2002 Location: Texas! Posts: 2,633	Huff can play the outfield. Purpura, the GM said he'd play in rightfield. But i have a feeling he'll end up playing left field. From what i've heard Huff is basically a DH. Playing in front of the Crawford Boxes in left he'll only have a little room cover. i'm thinking Lamb will bounce between 1b and 3b for the rest of the season. He's bad at third and a little better than that at first. And Berkman will bounce between 1b and rf. And Wilson will play rf when Berkman's not out there. From the Astros end, they might have got off easy. It's a relatively low risk deal. Talbot has never been mentioned in Houston as a top pitching prospect. In fact, today was the first time i'd even heard his name. i would have thought they could have at least gotten Buckholtz, Wandy Rodriguez or Fernando Nieve. And Zobrist, though 25, just popped on the scene here. Some stat guys happened to notice his BA & OBP. But, if he is really any good, the Astros would have been putting his name out there. We've known about Burke (who is only a year older than Zobrist) for several years now. Of course, he was a first round draft pick, and tabbed to replace Bidge at 2b. But they've done stories about him and the guy playing shortstop with him in the minors. And it wasn't Zobrist. And if the Astros really thought he was any good they would have at least tried him at ss. Because Everett doesn't do much at the plate. Zobrist wasn't even on the Astros' 40 man roster. My conspiracy theory on Zobrist's inclusion in this deal was to keep the radio heads around hear from calling for Zobrist to be called up and put in the starting lineup... i also think Adam Everett stole whatever picture Mike Gallo was using to blackmail the team into keep him on the roster and now he's using them. __________________ A Justafan Fan LBA Geo Bahn Rock Hounds fan of the ISLANDIAN PRO ALLIANCE Last edited by Dark Horse; 07-12-2006 at 04:44 PM.