Why Astros chose quantity over quality
MLB Team Report - Houston Astros - INSIDE PITCH
For one day, all was quiet in the Astros' world, at least from a trade perspective. The 25 players who began the day in uniform all ended it that way in a 5-3 loss to the Reds, so general manager Jeff Luhnow was able to take a little inventory of what the Astros had acquired in four deals in three weeks.
In exchange for the departed Carlos Lee, J.A. Happ, Brandon Lyon, Brett Myers and Wandy Rodriguez, the Astros received 11 prospects, two prospects to be named and two big-leaguers. What they did not acquire was any organization's consensus top prospect. Thus, the emphasis was on quantity and on stockpiling players (and especially pitchers) not found at the top of any prospect lists but with a good chance to be solid contributors.
"We shot high every discussion, and most teams were resistant to give up their top prospects," Luhnow said. "You can either walk away at that point or you can work on another solution.
"Because we have lack depth in our system and because you really never know the difference between a No. 2 prospect, a No. 6 prospect and a No. 12 prospect, if we can get three No. 12 prospects instead of one No. 3 prospect we might be better off. And we might see (the rankings) differently than others."
The Astros have been the most active team in the trade market this season, and their experience reflects what's going on across baseball. Top prospects have not been moved, in part because of the elimination of draft-pick compensation for losing one-year rentals to subsequent free agency.
According to Baseball America's preseason rankings, Matt Dominguez was the only prospect in his organization's preseason top five, ranking No. 4 in the Miami system. Other top-10 prospects from their organizations were Rob Rasmussen (Marlins No. 7), Robbie Grossman (Pirates No. 8) and Asher Wojciechowski (Blue Jays No. 10).
MLB Team Report - Houston Astros - NOTES, QUOTES
--RHP Francisco Cordero blew his second save in two chances since coming to the Astros in the trade from Toronto. Manager Brad Mills said he would wait to decide the future of the closer position but felt better about Cordero's stuff than in his first blown save Tuesday. "I thought tonight it seemed crisper than last night, but I thought it was a real good thing to see," Mills said. "I know (Drew) Stubbs got him both nights and it's tough to have the same guy get you both nights, but I definitely thought his stuff was crisper."
--LHP Wesley Wright spent his first day Wednesday as the senior member of the Astros, which is fairly incredible since he was a Rule 5 pick before the 2008 season. Wright has been joking about the moment since Astros players started getting dealt recently. He knew that once Wandy Rodriguez was traded, he was it.
--LHP Xavier Cedeno was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City to take Wandy Rodriguez's spot on the roster Wednesday. Cedeno's arrival gave the Astros an eight-man bullpen, which comes at no cost to position players for now. But once a starter has to be called up for Rodriguez's rotation spot on Saturday, that no longer will be the case.
--LF J.D. Martinez hit the ol' Little League home run Wednesday night, giving the Astros a 3-2 lead on a double and two errors that allowed him to round the bases. Martinez said he felt much better after being out of the starting lineup the last three days because of a shoulder injury.
--2B Jose Altuve continued to show that his post-All-Star slump (3-for-28) might have been just a temporary blip. Altuve is 10-for-19 (.526) in his last five games after a three-hit night that also included a walk.
BY THE NUMBERS: 3 -- Losing streaks of eight games or more for the Astros, including the current one, which reached nine on Wednesday night.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "I'm sure a lot of us thought that was it. That's baseball. It's frustrating, but I'm sure we'll bounce back." -- LF J.D. Martinez after the Astros scored three in the eighth to go up 3-2 but blew it in the ninth Wednesday night.
MLB Team Report - Houston Astros - ROSTER REPORT
MEDICAL WATCH:
--SS Jed Lowrie (right ankle sprain, damage to peroneal nerve) went on the 15-day disabled list July 15. He is out until mid- to late August.
--C Jason Castro (sore right knee) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to July 8. The injury is to the same knee that was surgically repaired and caused him to miss all of last season. He had the knee drained July 18, and the timetable for his return was unknown.
--RHP Kyle Weiland (right shoulder bursitis) went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to April 25, and he was transferred to the 60-day DL on July 15. He underwent surgery May 1 to clear an infection in his shoulder. He began rehabbing May 9, doing mostly range-of-motion and strength exercises.
--LHP Sergio Escalona (Tommy John surgery in April 2012) went on the 15-day disabled list April 4 and was transferred to the 60-day disabled list on June 17. He will miss the entire season.
RHP Lucas Harrell
RHP Jordan Lyles
RHP Bud Norris
LHP Dallas Keuchel
RHP Francisco Cordero (closer)
RHP Wilton Lopez
RHP Rhiner Cruz
RHP Fernando Rodriguez
LHP Wesley Wright
LHP Fernando Abad
RHP Enerio Del Rosario
LHP Xavier Cedeno
CATCHERS:
Carlos Corporan
Chris Snyder
INFIELDERS:
1B Matt Downs
2B Jose Altuve
SS Marwin Gonzalez
3B Chris Johnson
INF/OF Brian Bixler
INF/OF Scott Moore
OUTFIELDERS:
LF J.D. Martinez
CF Jordan Schafer
RF Brian Bogusevic
OF Justin Maxwell
OF Ben Francisco