The Houston Astros acquired Randy Wolf just an hour ago for 26-year old prospect Chad Reineke.
A real simple one for one that’s easy to dissect.
Randy Wolf hasn’t been spectacular but has been solid with a 4.74 ERA. The real issue is that Wolf has been awesome at home and awful on the road. With a 3.17 ERA at Petco and an ugly 6.63 ERA on the road. He hasn’t played in Minute Maid Park yet this season but his career stats suggest performance close to the average.
He isn’t a great pitcher but he’s solid since coming back from injuries and can be looked as better options then some in-organization players. The problem is not the trade but more so the Astros for somehow thinking they have a chance this season. They sit 10.5 games back of the NL Central lead and have like a 1% chance of making it to the playoffs. “Don’t expect miracles out of Wolf who will not help the Astros make the playoffs.”
Chad Reineke is a 26-year old right-handed pitcher who’s put up so-so numbers in AAA. Nothing amazing to jump out at you. He was ranked their #13 best prospect by Sickels who referred to him as useful utility pitcher. For the Padres, they get a potentially useful bullpen guy for signing Randy Wolf at a cheap price. They clearly aren’t in the thick of things and Wolf may even return next year.
In my opinion Houston doesn’t really lose much in Reineke, starting pitching was a big need but Wolf is just a quick fix. The real kicker is if Wolf can turn his performance and move up in the Elias rankings. Wolf was not a B level player but that included his 2005 and 2006 seasons in which he missed most due to injury. The 50 inning season will be thrown out (I believe) and he looks like he’ll be close for a Type B rating.
If that does happen, Houston wins the trade (easily) because they would get a supplementary pick after the 1st round and good players have come out of that round. In a way, this trade doesn’t make too much sense but it may be Houston giving up an older prospect who may not be of much use for a chance to grab another guy who’ll be better. Into gambling anyone?
