Ken Rosenthal (via Twitter) is reporting that, “Source: #WhiteSox acquire Brett Myers from #Astros.”
According to the Astros Twitter feed, “GM Jeff Luhnow announced Astros have acquired RHP Matt Heidenreich, LHP Blair Walters and PTBNL from White Sox in exchange for Brett Myers ”
From The White Sox Perspective
It’s a very interesting move for the White Sox, who have Addison Reed who has been working as the team’s closer. However, Reed has struggled recently having allowed runs in three of his past five outings (and has just 1 K over that span) with two blown saves.
It will be interesting to see who emerges as the closer, but you would think that Myers could be the choice initially. Right now this situation is cloudy, to say the least, so fantasy owners will want to hold on to both pitchers to see how the situation plays out. It wouldn’t be surprising to see both pitchers get opportunities, based on matchups. They have the potential to form a nice back-end of the bullpen for the White Sox.
From The Astros Perspective
For a rebuilding team, this move makes a ton of sense as they want to get as many young players as possible who can help them in the future. Heidenreich is currently pitching at Double-A with a 5.89 ERA, 9 K and 5 BB in three starts. He pitched significantly better at Single-A this season with a 3.57 ERA, 62 K and 13 BB over 93.1 IP. He’s 21-years old (drafted in the 4th round in 2009) and those numbers would indicate that he’s a control pitcher (as is further evidenced by his 6.02 K/9 and 1.78 BB/9 over his minor league career).
Walters has struggled at High-A, with a 7.01 ERA over 25.2 IP. However, he does have a 24-to-4 strikeout to walk ratio. At Low-A this season he had posted a 2.88 ERA, 69 K and 18 BB over 72.0 IP. The 22-year old was drafted in the 11th round in 2011.
Neither pitcher figure to make an impact in the near future. As for who is going to step in and close in Houston, that’s anyone’s guess at this point. Wilton Lopez or the newly acquired Francisco Cordero figure to be the options, though neither are overly attractive to fantasy owners.
What are your thoughts of the trade? What is the ultimate fallout?
More to follow…
Does Wilton Lopez close for the Astros now?
I would think it’s him or Francisco Cordero, but I don’t think this is going to be the last move the team makes. It wouldn’t surprise me if they brings in another option some way, some how.
I’m not touching CoCo Cordero, but would you rather own Lopez than either of the MIN guys (Burton/Perkins)? All stand to see opps for the rest of the season, but MIN seems to be going with a true split. Thoughts?
As of right now Lopez is not stepping into the role, so if anything you are simply stashing him for now. The one who has been given the most chances is Perkins, so I’d probably go with him.
I still believe that the person who will close for the Astros isn’t on the roster yet and will likely come in another trade. Even if he doesn’t, Lopez/Cordero both are less than stellar options.