Astros to acquire Jennings?
Ken Rosenthal reports on FoxSports.com that the Astros have a deal for Colorado pitcher Jason Jennings:
The Rockies will receive center fielder Willy Taveras and right-handers Jason Hirsh and Taylor Buchholz for Jennings and right-hander Miguel Asencio, major-league sources said.
Jennings, 28, will replace left-hander Andy Pettitte in the Astros' rotation. Pettitte, 34, signed a two-year, $32 million free-agent contract with the Yankees last Friday.
The Astros, who still could re-sign free-agent right-hander Roger Clemens, paid a steep price for Jennings, a pitcher with a 4.74 career ERA and only one season of more than 12 wins.
The quality of the players going to the Rockies will increase the pressure on the Astros to sign Jennings — a free agent at the end of next season — to a long-term contract.
Taveras, 25, will fill the Rockies' void in center field. Buchholz, 25, and Hirsh, 24, are considered two of the Astros' top pitching prospects.
Chris Burke, 26, likely will take over for the Astros in center, and the trade could accelerate the rise of the Astros' top position prospect, Class AA outfielder Hunter Pence, to the majors.
According to the talk radio stations, the Astros have scheduled a press conference to announce a deal. That seems like a lot to give up for Jennings, if that is indeed the deal that will be announced.
Interestingly, Astros beat writer and Drayton McLane cheerleader Jesus Ortiz, who posted a report last week of a trade that ultimately never took place, has yet to post anything on this deal. You'd think McLane would have given such a good PR guy a heads up!
UPDATE: Astros general manager Tim Purpura just confirmed the terms of the deal in the press conference.
Posted by Kevin Whited @ 12/12/06 04:30 PM | Print | Comments (2)
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