Why did the Astros trade Willy Taveras?

Question

I understand that they wanted another solid pitcher in case Rocket or Pettite doesn't come through, but shouldn't they be trying to spruce up their offense. Taveras was such a great basestealer. What do you think?

Okay, so Pettitte fell through, but couldn't the Astros try to hold on to Taveras anyway?

Answer 1

Taveras is a good base stealer, but that doesn't make up for a career .329 OBP and 4 homers in over 1,100 at-bats. He's 25 years old, can't do much more than run fast, and has very little upside in his all-around game.

Trading Taveras was a smart move. He's a good fielder and a fast runner, and teams often overvalue speed when it comes to trade. Landing Jennings is a great move for the Astros, and I wouldn't be too upset about Taveras being part of that deal.

Answer 2

Basically the 'Stros have a surplus of young position players who can man centerfield in Taveras' absence. What they didn't have was another pitcher to round out a rotation weakened by the losses of Pettitte and Clemens. Say what you will about Clemens and Pettite, but if you take either of them out of that Astros rotation over the last three years--the Astros are not a playoff team. The Astros would have been lucky to sniff the wild card without them in the rotation.

Adding an aging Woody Williams was a first move, adding a younger Jennings is also a good move. Taveras did offer a great presence at the top of the lineup and the greatest x-factor in all of baseball---SPEED. However, when you look at great teams they always have one factor that stands out and that's pitching. The Astros had to add another starter if they are going to have any chance of competing in a suddenly very interesting NL Central.

Answer 3

As lots of the folk above me have reported procuring and promoting Taveras is nearly a double-edged sword. In dropping Taveras the Astros lose their lead-off hitter, a dynamic fielder and an quite speedy presence on the bases. What they benefit, even nonetheless, is a sturdy (and youthful) form 2 starter to compliment Roy Oswalt and the those days obtained Woody Williams. This secures that acceptable 3 spots in the rotation, which became a ought to after the shortcoming of Pettitte and the on-going Clemens "will he or won't he retirement saga." The Astros have a plethora of youthful expertise who can circulate into CF to change Taveras, my terrific wager is that it will circulate to Chris Burke who has been groomed as Biggio's substitute, yet additionally can play the two infield and outfield. With the addition of Lee to compliment Berkman and the envisioned rebound of Morgan Ensberg this Astros group may be a sturdy tension in the NL mandatory next 3 hundred and sixty 5 days.

Answer 4

No loss with Clemens, a slight loss with Pettite, and they NEED pitching. Neither of those guys did it for them, so they are trading and looking for some. Clemens will hopefully retire and give us a break from his incessant nonsense and self-love story. Pettite will be no help to the Yankees, so the Astros are well worth being rid of both.

Chow!!

Answer 5

Being a Cubs fan, I'm glad to see one less good bat in the Astros' line up, but it's still a formidable line up. They had to let someone go to get good pitching, and there's no way they were gonna part with Berkman or Biggio. Those were the only other viable trades to land quality starting pitching. They made the right move, much to my chagrin.

Answer 6

This trade helped the Astros on two fronts.....they got a real good starting pitcher and they opened up a spot for Chris Burke to play......it's a win-win situation.


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Answer 7

A #2/3 starter for a platoon outfielder... I do that in a heartbeat.

Answer 8

The Astros should try to hold on to everyone they can.

Answer 9

To get someone better. Duh