Acquisition Analysis: Wandy Rodriguez

Written by: Michael Mawhinney

The Pirates have acquired left handed pitcher Wandy Rodriguez for minor leaguers Robbie Grossman, Rudy Owens, and Colton Cain.  Grossman is an outfielder in AA, and Owens and Cain are both left handed pitchers, with Owens in AAA and Cain in high-A.  

What the Pirates Get: Rodriguez is an above average major league pitcher who will bring a great veteran presence to the Pirates' rotation.  He has a career ERA of 4.04, but a 3.79 ERA this year and has had an ERA under 4.00 for the previous four seasons.  Rodriguez will stabilize a rotation that is turning out to be more league average than elite, and there is no reason that he should regress as the season continues, as his xFIP is at a good 3.90.  Rodriguez has a big contract, but with the Astros paying for some of it each year, the Pirates will only be paying $1.7 Million in 2012, $8.5M in 2013, and $7.5M in 2014 if Wandy exercises his player option.  However, at 33 years-old, Rodriguez could show some performance drop ove.r the next couple of seasons.

What the Astros Get: Robbie Grossman- Grossman is the best player the Astros received in this deal.  In 2011, Grossman was the first minor leaguer to score 100 runs and walk 100 times since Nick Swisher did that in 2004.  Grossman started out poorly this year in the jump to AA, but since a suspension in June, he has hit extremely well with an OPS just over 1.000.  Grossman has the speed to play center, but his defense profiles better in the corner positions.  He has great patience at the plate and can get on base at a high rate, while hitting for modest power and a decent-good average.  Upside: .290 hitter, .375+ OBP, 15-20 homers.

Rudy Owens- Owens is a major league ready pitcher that may be called up immediately for the struggling Astros.  Unlike Grossman, Owens, a lefty, started the year very strong, but has scuffled lately, raising his season ERA to 3.14.  Owens has pretty much average stuff, but great control makes that arsenal seem above average.  Upside: Good #4 starter with an ERA around 4.00, but good control and can pitch 180+ innings a year.

Colton Cain- Cain, one of the Pirates above slot signings in the 2009 draft, is another lefty that is similar to Owens, but with a slightly higher upside.  Cain has generally had good control in the minors, and doesn't allow a lot of hits, leading to a consistently low WHIP.  Cain has a 4.20 ERA in 2012, and he has also missed some time due to injury.  Upside: Cain has the chance for two above average pitches with his change and curve (probably only one will turn out to be above average), to go along with a fastball around 90 MPH.  Overall, he could be a #3 starter that could pitch 200 innings a year, but is more likely to end up as a #4 or #5 starter if he reaches the bigs.

Who Wins?

Both teams got what they wanted in this deal.  The Pirates were looking for a veteran lefty who they could control past this year, and that's exactly what they have in Wandy Rodriguez.  The Astros were able to add one good prospect and two decent prospects in this deal, with Rudy Owens ready to step into the Astros' major league rotation.  Initially, I thought the Pirates gave up way too much in this deal, but after reviewing the trade, it seems to be a somewhat fair deal.  Grossman is a good prospect, but probably won't be ready to contribute to a major league team until 2014.  Owens and Cain are both probably back of the rotation starters at best in the majors.  It is good that the Astros are paying for a good amount of Wandy's contract, as that will even out the deal a little more.  Personally, I would've tried to take on more of the contract instead of giving up all three of these prospects, but the Pirates did not overpay for Rodriguez.  If I had to pick a winner, I would say the Astros got the better part of the deal, but there is no loser in this trade.

Overall, the Wandy Rodriguez trade was pretty fair for both sides.  The Pirates have a lot of outfield and lefty pitching depth in the minors, so this deal definitely won't completely mess up the system.  The acquisition of Rodriguez will only help the Pirates' rotation, with Kevin Correia and his 4.95 FIP probably out of the rotation after the trade.  As we all know, prospects are far from a sure thing, and with Grossman, Owens, and Cain showing struggles at some points this year, this trade could definitely turn in favor of the Pirates.  But, they could also all reach their potential, which would make the trade a great one for the Astros.  Only time will tell who got the better deal, but for now it looks like both teams made a good trade.