Veteran Traded To Pirates
The Astros continued their midseason fire sale Tuesday night, sending veteran pitcher Wandy Rodriguez to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for three minor league prospects. The 33-year-old Rodriguez has spent his entire eight-year career with the Astros and was the last remaining player from the 2005 World Series team. He got the news of the trade during Tuesday night's game against the Reds, and made his way through the dugout with an emotional goodbye to coaches and teammates. "I feel like I could cry," Rodriguez told MLB.com after the game. "When I said goodbye to my teammates, it was very emotional."
Astros General Manager Jeff Luhnow summed up the bittersweet nature of the deal. "Wandy has been a terrific pitcher for the Astros for a long time," he said. "Trading a player like Wandy is not easy, but we know this deal is a very good one for us, the Pirates and for Wandy." The Astros acquired 24-year-old left-handed pitcher Rudy Owens, 21-year-old left-handed pitcher Colton Cain, and 22-year-old outfielder Robbie Grossman. Grossman was the number 7 prospect in the Pirates' organization, Owens was ranked number 12 and Cain was ranked number 16.
The move is just the latest in a flurry of activity for the Astros as Luhnow looks to turn over the roster and stockpile prospects for the future. In recent weeks, the team has traded veterans Carlos Lee, J.A. Happ, Brandon Lyon, and Brett Myers. Rodriguez has the most strikeouts by a left-hander in Astros history, and is number two among lefties for starts, wins, and innings pitched. Ironically, he will likely make his first start for the Pirates this weekend against the Astros at Minute Maid Park.
