Big moves in the desert

[HoustonGM]

First, they got Dan Haren for a huge package of prospects - OF Carlos Gonzalez, LHP Brett Anderson, OF Aaron Cunningham, 1B Chris Carter, LHP Greg Smith and LHP Dana Eveland. Then, they got Chad Qualls, Chrise Burke, and Juan Gutierrez for Jose Valverde.

[HoustonGM]

I think the Valverde deal is another bone-headed move by the Astros. Qualls could reasonably be considered to give them just slightly less than Valverde will...just without the "proven closer" tag. So, they gave up Qualls, a top prospect, and a high-quality utility guy...for a guy just slightly better than Qualls...

And I love both these moves for the Diamondbacks. They have a perfectly capable replacement for Valverde in Pena, and Qualls improves a bullpen that was already really good. Burke is a much better backup than Augie Ojeda, and Juan Gutierrez has potential. With Haren, they got a great pitcher whose going to be even better with the league switch, and they didn't give up any integral pieces. They dealt from their great minor league pitching depth, yet they still have strong depth, and evne though they dealt their top prospect, Carlos Gonzalez, they had no room for him with Byrnes, Young, and Upton. They also picked up Connor Robertson, a young reliever, in that deal.

I think the Diamondbacks are in fantastic shape to contend again.

[FRENCHREDSOX]

I think the Valverde deal is another bone-headed move by the Astros. Qualls could reasonably be considered to give them just slightly less than Valverde will...just without the "proven closer" tag. So, they gave up Qualls, a top prospect, and a high-quality utility guy...for a guy just slightly better than Qualls...

.

If you actually "think out of the box" then the trade(s) by Houston is this:

Lidge,Qualls,Burke,Gutierrez,Bruntlett FOR Valverde,Geary & Bourn.

Lidge & Valverde are basically equal value so they cancel,Qualls is better than Geary but lets assume they also cancel as they are late innnings relievers who are durable & have had some success.That leaves this:

Burke,Bruntlett & Gutierrez for Bourn ! Wow Bourn better be speedy OBP machine for that ever to pan out!

[HoustonGM]

Heh.

And you can't really cancel out Geary and Qualls...considering Qualls has had way more success.

Wade is just...I don't even know.

[Alloutwar]

I think the AI is controlling Ed Wade, thats how other teams are getting him to make these trades.

[nuzzy62]

If you actually "think out of the box" then the trade(s) by Houston is this:

Lidge,Qualls,Burke,Gutierrez,Bruntlett FOR Valverde,Geary & Bourn.

Lidge & Valverde are basically equal value so they cancel,Qualls is better than Geary but lets assume they also cancel as they are late innnings relievers who are durable & have had some success.That leaves this:

Burke,Bruntlett & Gutierrez for Bourn ! Wow Bourn better be speedy OBP machine for that ever to pan out!

Great analysis French!

[Robert]

I can't believe we gave up Qualls. Burke I'm not worried about same with Gutierrez.

If valverde has a year like last year, we'll be alright. But why Qualllllssssssssss :P

Astros WS Champs 2008! :P

[Robert]

On another note, Brandon Webb and Dan Haren, OMG...Two good pitchers, and if Randy Johnson is still decent, then that's 3, along with maybe Doug Davis, lol...