Houston Gets (Villar)Real!

Here’s a trade we missed on Friday (we’re still new at this…):

The Houston Astros announced today (11/16/07) that the club has acquired right-handed pitcher Oscar Villarreal from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for outfielder Josh Anderson. . . . “Oscar Villarreal gives us another experienced, durable arm for the bullpen,” said Wade. “He has the ability to pitch late in a game, throw multiple innings and pitch back-to-back days.

Villarreal, who turns 26 on November 22, was 2-2 with one save and a 4.24 ERA (36ER/76.1IP) in 51 games for Atlanta in 2007. The right-hander has appeared in 223 career Major League games and owns a 23-12 record with one save and a 3.71 career ERA (123ER/298.1IP). He has pitched the last two seasons for the Braves (2006-07) after three big league seasons with Arizona (2003-05). Villarreal was acquired by the Braves in December of 2005 along with right-hander Lance Cormier in exchange for catcher Johnny Estrada. He was originally signed by Arizona as a non-drafted free agent on Nov. 6, 1998.

During his rookie season of 2003, Villarreal pitched in a National League rookie-record 86 games and finished 10-7 with a 2.57 ERA (28ER/98IP). His 86 appearances in 2003 also set the Major League record for the most in one season by a pitcher from Mexico, eclipsing the previous mark of 84 set by Enrique Romo of Pittsburgh in 1979.

Well, after shipping Brad Lidge to Philly, you’ve got to figure that Houston was going to have to restock its pen.  But they got a very, very special kid in Villarreal: according to the OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE, the Astros got a kid who “has the ability to pitch late in a game,” “throw multiple innings” AND….wait for it… ”pitch back-to-back days.”

Holy shit, the Astros just signed…a major league relief pitcher. 

Also, not to be a complete ass, but does Major League Baseball actually keep separate record books for Mexicans?  As in, 86 appearance is pretty good….for a Mexican.  Because, again, remember: this was an official press release.  (If you’re interested Mike Marshall of 1974 Dodgers owns the non-Mexican record for appearances with 106)

Reviewing the 2008 Free Agent Class

While we’ll likely have a more comprehensive analysis of individual team needs, wants, and haves, I wanted to get us started with a quick discussion of the middle relievers currently available on the free agent market. As Kevin Towers stated in our first post,

“Free agent relief shopping is dangerous.”

And it’s true. Last year, the Orioles shelled out over $55 million in free agent contracts to Danys “Danny” Baez ($19M/3yrs), Chad Bradford ($10.5M/3yrs), Jamie Walker ($12M/3yrs), Todd Williams ($755k/1yr), and Scott Williamson ($900k/1yr). What does that buy you? Danys’s 6.44 ERA (60 ERA+), Todd’s 7.53 ERA (61 ERA+) . . . oh, and Scott Williamson was released by July. People say it’s a crap shoot — and they may be right, we’ll explore that here at Loogy Lounge — but if so, why on earth would you shell out so much money?

Oh right. The Orioles are the worst run franchise in Major League Baseball. 

Who will be the big winners & losers in the free agent lottery 2008?