[WvGambler]

Decent trade considering what we gave up

[WvGambler]

The Pirates have acquired left-handed starter Wandy Rodriguez*from the Astros, according to Tim Singer of MLB.com. The Astros will also pay some of the remaining $30MM owed to Rodriguez through 2013, and the deal also triggers Rodriguez's 2014 player option, reports Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com (Twitter*links).

Rodriguez, 33, has posted a 4.04 ERA, 7.5 K/9 and 2.2 BB/9 in a little over 1,300 career innings, all with the Astros. The Wasserman Media Group client signed a three-year, $34MM extension with Houston prior to the 2011 season.

[Chi_archie]

Did you see what they gave up? I'd heard Hanson, polanco, Robbie gross man and some of the three lefties in AAA mentioned

[Jimmy Proffett]

Looks like a great move if JMac's gonna start regressing.

Victorino would be a nice addition also.

[WvGambler]

Rudy Owens Colton Cain and Robbie Grossman traded away

[Chi_archie]

Grossman, Colten Cain, AND rudy owens?

foken shit. Pirates got robbed if that is true

Wandy has nothing left I fear... sucked in june and july

I hope the stros gave the pirates alot of wandy's 2013 $ owed...

seller's market boys

[WvGambler]

I think it's a decent trade. Have team control next year and player option for the next year. Wandys established.

[ChalkyDog]

Surprised and happy to see this. First time in a while I have seen the Pirates actually attempt to make improvements in the immediate. Usually trying to firesale for prospects.

Hope they can represent the central and make a decent run.

[PickWinnerAllDay]

bad trade... Wandy is a better pitcher in Houston than anywhere else largely because of his approach with hitters.

Good luck, Buccos.

[Chi_archie]

Surprised and happy to see this. First time in a while I have seen the Pirates actually attempt to make improvements in the immediate. Usually trying to firesale for prospects.

Hope they can represent the central and make a decent run.

they were buyers last year and it hurt them more than helped thm

in mid june I was hoping the pirates would regress and they could be sellers in this great trade market.....

i'm sure they will go 10-25 in the next 35 games now.

Wandy is on the way down. look at his periphery #'s

[jagaf22]

Wandy is a better pitcher in Houston than anywhere else largely because of his approach with hitters.

How so? PNC Park is far more pitcher friendly than Houston.

[rm18]

He does pitch better at home even though should be a horrible place for a lefty to pitch

[PickWinnerAllDay]

How so? PNC Park is far more pitcher friendly than Houston.

Well, let me just say that Houston is an underrated pitching friendly park due to the weird angles.

Wandy pitches to the center of the field because of the dynamics of Houston's ball park. It is tough to change your approach now...

[jagaf22]

I think his numbers will improve at least at PNC.

[lunchbawks]

this is rock bottom

Astros will never recover from this, will be worse next season in AL

[Mr KLC]

Looks like the Astros got #8 and #11 prospects of Pirates. Cain is a fringe Top 20. Looks like Luhnow got some good quality for Wandy at first glance.

[Mr KLC]

Wandy has a career 4.45 ERA at PNC. His career ERA is 4.04.

[Mr KLC]

this is rock bottom

Astros will never recover from this, will be worse next season in AL

I do believe that we will have the 1962 Mets in our sight next year.

[WvGambler]

Wandys numbers at home are MUCH better...but PNC is a good park to pitch in. The Pirates needed at least one more arm, so this makes sense. Still in first wild card position with a very winnable stretch of games coming up. They didn't give away any studs.

Bucs can still make a run at an OF or bring up Marte. May add Victorino, Pence or still an outside chance at Upton.

[ChalkyDog]

Wandy is a decent, mid rotation pitcher. Put an actual team behind him, some run support, and in a pennant race - and you will get the best from him.

[Chi_archie]

after Grossman's 2nd half last year and dominance in arizona fall league until he hurt his hand he was considered a rising stud by most experts.

I think he made a few (not BA's) top 100 prospect lists pre season

he sucked the first few months of this season due to surgery. But had really picked it up the last 4-6 weeks.

speedy, has some pop, but the best aspect was that he is a BB machine

over 100 walks and runs last year....

Pirates need OBP guys, but I guess the are sorta loaded at the OF possibilites looking towards 2014-16 window

[WvGambler]

after Grossman's 2nd half last year and dominance in arizona fall league until he hurt his hand he was considered a rising stud by most experts.

I think he made a few (not BA's) top 100 prospect lists pre season

he sucked the first few months of this season due to surgery. But had really picked it up the last 4-6 weeks.

speedy, has some pop, but the best aspect was that he is a BB machine

over 100 walks and runs last year....

Pirates need OBP guys, but I guess the are sorta loaded at the OF possibilites looking towards 2014-16 window

Yes Archie, keep your head up. Eventually have to leave that "build for the future" mentality and take a shot. It's not ideal...but this current team IS capable of winning. Wandy is definately an upgrade at #4 and possibly #3 rotation spot.

Im not thrilled with it, but the current MLB roster is improved for this and next year.

[Chi_archie]

I just fear we see Matt Morris II the Mexican version

I guess I'll give Huntington and Connelly the benefit of the doubt as they've received B to B+ grades on their deadline deals the last few years from me.

Every thinks the Pirates get fleeced in salary dumps but its really not the case....

[WvGambler]

I just fear we see Matt Morris II the Mexican version

I guess I'll give Huntington and Connelly the benefit of the doubt as they've received B to B+ grades on their deadline deals the last few years from me.

Every thinks the Pirates get fleeced in salary dumps but its really not the case....

No, Huntington has consistently done the fleecing. The Wandy Rodriguez situation is NOtHING like Matt Morris. This also gives us a reason to stop trotting Correia out there every fifth day. He can be the long reliever that Karstens once was. Or we can ship him off to Pawtucket for some chew and a crate of balls.

[WvGambler]

Prior to his July 18 start with Houston, Rodriguez pitched at least 5.0 or more innings in 48 straight starts, which was the longest active streak in the National League and the third-longest in the Majors behind C.C. Sabathia (76 games) and Justin Verlander (71 games).

Since the beginning of the 2009 season, Wandy Rodriguez trails only Clayton Kershaw and Cole Hamels among all NL southpaws in strikeouts (626) and wins (43). (AP/Pat Sullivan)

[HoulihansTX]

Wandy is the key to a championship for sure.

[Chi_archie]

89 strikeouts in 130+ innings this year worries me

his ERA in June and July worry me

[Chi_archie]

just got flashbacks to Zane Smith trade....

that didn't turn out so well in the long term for the pirates

[HoulihansTX]

What is the point of giving up asests for a washed up pitcher? I know nothing about what they gave up, but why give anything up?

Wandy was not even the best pitcher on his own team. Bud Norris would have been passable, but Wandy is a bum.

[WvGambler]

What is the point of giving up asests for a washed up pitcher? I know nothing about what they gave up, but why give anything up?

Wandy was not even the best pitcher on his own team. Bud Norris would have been passable, but Wandy is a bum.

Seriously? Norris Era 5.32 with a 1.47 Whip. Wandy 3.78 Era and 1.27 Whip

[HoulihansTX]

Wandy age 33

Bud age 27 solid K rate, and you know he will improve.

[Chi_archie]

they did covet a lefty

they gave up in Owens a two time organizational pitcher of the year. pitch to contact lefty, that I think projects to be in the area of a decent version of Zach Duke at the high end of his ceiling.

He IS MLB ready...

In Grossman a former 1 million dollar signing bonus baby that the Pirates drafted in 6th round but would have gone 1st or 2nd if he hadn't committed to going to college...

He has a mature approach at the plate.. first minor leaguer since nick swisher to have 100 walks (127) and 100 runs in the same year. Is showung power and speed. AA now could play at mlb level in2013 or 2014

Colton Cain- was a flame throwing lefty out of HS now guy that got over 1 miilion $ signing bonus..battled some injuries shows flashes of brilliance but also can suck... Only in A+ ball. maybe MLB ready in 2015

[WvGambler]

Wandy age 33

Bud age 27 solid K rate, and you know he will improve.

I just disagree with Norris. He's regressed.

[WvGambler]

Neil Huntington is the only guy that has gotten this team to compete in 20 years. I guess I'm just trusting that he knows what he's doing. God I hope he knows what he's doing.

I feel like this trade will either be in the Bucs favor or a wash for both teams.

[Chi_archie]

---

Pirates will owe to LHP Wandy Rodriguez: They'll pay $1.7M this year (of $10 he's making), $8.5M in 2013 (of $13M). If player option is exercised, Pirates will pay Rodriguez $7.5M in 2014 (of $13M).

I guess I'm ok with that... if the Pirates do make a trip to the playoffs a big thank you to the yanks and stros for paying the majority of our starting 5's salary!!!!