Astros GM Ed Wade makes poor decision in sending Pence to Philadelphia
Hunter Pence departs, as bench coach Al Pedrique replaces his name off the lineup card. A sad end to too short a career in Houston. (AP Photo/Morry Gash)
Early this past week, it was believed that the Houston Astros would keep 28-year-old outfielder Hunter Pence at least through the season. But then teams kept calling, and General Manager Ed Wade kept listening. The cornerstone of their franchise, hitting .303 with 11 homers and 62 rbi’s, was officially put on the trade market, and Wade’s favorite trade partner, the Philadelphia Phillies, came knocking with tantalizing prospects in hand.
In 2007, Wade traded closer Brad Lidge to Philadelphia, then last July 29th he sent one of the top pitchers in baseball, Roy Oswalt, their way, too. Now, it is another talented player’s turn to head to the city of Brotherly Love. Wade’s asking price was fairly high as of Thursday morning, but he ultimately lowered it and gave into his former organization, albeit still taking their 2nd and 5th top prospects.
The Astros were in the middle of their game against the Milwaukee Brewers when Pence was informed of the move. He hugged fellow outfielder Jason Michaels and received salutations from others as he ran off the field.
As he ran into the dugout, he was greeted by many of his now former teammates. It was undoubtedly a bittersweet moment for him. One the one hand, he went from last to first in the standings, being coveted by the National League’s top team. On the other, he left the only organization he has ever known.
This was a tremendous trade for the Phillies, as they added the bat they needed for the stretch run and beyond.
“Pence is the perfect fit, a high-energy guy with the ability to spread out a lineup that often dropped off a shelf after the big guns had their turn; the Phillies’ No. 5 spot, where Pence is penciled for Saturday’s game against Pittsburgh, has posted a collective OPS of .696 this season. Pence’s is a solid .828, even after a recent slump.”
But was it the right move for Houston? No. Pence’s career with the Astros was cut far too short.
This wasn’t done because of his contract situation; he is under team control through the 2013 season. Why then? It was done because of his high value and the prospects they could demand in return. Sure, that makes some sense, and I think who they received made for a good package, but their trading him should raise questions regarding Wade’s competency.
He didn’t project as someone who could hit 40 homers a season, and be their version of Albert Pujols or Adrian Gonzalez, but he impacted the game for the Astros as these two stars do for their team. He saved runs defensively and knocked them in offensively, and had the tough-nosed attitude every team needs. He was their leader, and he was just coming into his own as an extremely productive and dependable player.
As can be imagined, then, the move isn’t going over well in Houston. Chip Bailey and Richard Justice document just how much Pence meant to the team. They, two of many, were sad to see him go.
Bailey: “Sure, Michael Bourn and Bud Norris are fun to watch and Jordan Lyles provides some promise for the future, but it’s Pence who put the wind in the sails this season.”
“Hunter leaves a nice legacy around here. He was a Texas kid who made it to the big leagues with grit and hard work and desire. The Astros haven’t had many players outwork Hunter. Last season when he got off to a bad start, he later said, ‘I read a book about relaxation, but I found it wasn’t for me. I’ve got to play angry and swing hard.’
In his first days in the big leagues, he made veterans laugh with his enthusiasm and the seriousness with which he approached the job. Remember him diving for a lob warmup toss between innings? That moment spoke volumes about Hunter.”
The players the Astros received for the well-liked Pence–first baseman Jonathan Singleton, and pitchers Jarred Cosart and Josh Zeid–are far from major-league ready; Singleton and Cosart are producing, but they are in Single-A, while Zeid has a 5.56 ERA with Double-A. Houston couldn’t pry top-prospect Domonic Brown away, so they have to be patient and see if Singleton, Cosart, and Zeid pan out. This wait could be a couple of years.
They have four teams ahead of them in the NL Central, and there wasn’t any sign that their position was going to change in the coming years. Adding highly touted youth was their preferred route, but they lose someone they should have believed was worth building around.
In Pence, they lose a high-character talented player. And now are left with little to cheer about. This is deja vu for Astros fans, who have watched Wade make his former team more formidable. When Lidge was traded, Pence’s arrival on the horizon was worth remaining excited for the future. When Oswalt was traded, Pence entering his prime and excelling in the middle of the lineup fueled even more excitement. Now, that excitement is gone.
