Ap Reports...

[YanksHater213]

AP Reports that Beltran is traded to the Astros, go to http://www.espn.com its in the top right corner. it was the proposed 3 way trade

 

this is great for the sox. yankees dont get him, and we keep youks, shoppach, and swilly, AWESOME

[yeszir]

Nice, lets hope its for real.

[YanksHater213]

Beltran traded to Houston

 

By RONALD BLUM, AP Sports Writer

June 24, 2004

Star center fielder Carlos Beltran was traded from Kansas City to the Houston Astros on Thursday night as part of a three-way deal that also sent reliever Octavio Dotel to Oakland.

 

The Royals wound up with three prospects: highly touted third baseman Mark Teahen and right-hander Mike Wood from Oakland, and catcher Joe Buck from the Astros.

 

``This is obviously huge for our organization,'' Astros general manager Gerry Hunsicker said. ``Carlos Beltran is one of the most exciting, complete players in our game today.''

 

 

``He's the prototype we've been looking for for a long time. He's going to be a very exciting force for us in the middle of our lineup,'' he said.

 

The A's also got cash from Kansas City, an amount under $1 million.

 

The 27-year-old Beltran, the biggest prize on the trade market, can become a free agent after the season. He is represented by Scott Boras, who usually does not have his players re-sign before testing the free-agent market.

 

The multitalented Beltran is hitting .278 with 15 homers, 51 RBIs and 14 steals.

 

Dotel, 30, is 0-4 with a 3.12 ERA and 14 saves in 17 chances in his first year as a closer following the trade of Billy Wagner to Philadelphia in the offseason.

Source: Yahoo! Sports

[CalvnHobs6]

Two words for you: THANK GOD. Yankees don't get him, Sox don't get him (which I'm happy about), and it's a deal that doesn't really affect us positively or negatively for at least the next few months. Hopefully Scott Boras will get his head out of his BEhind and let the Astros negotiate with Beltran during the year, and not give the Yankees any stab at him.

[CalvnHobs6]

Also, let me get this straight. Houston only had to give up Dotel and Buck for BELTRAN?? That's a hell of a deal. I'm also pretty surprised Billy Beane was willing to give up some future, cheap prospects for a "closer" who's shaky at best and likely to demand big money (or big in Oakland terms)

[yeszir]

The A's were only a closer away from being dominant. Now they have that closer, and will go on to win the west. Dotel completes their team.

 

The sox now need to step it up to win the wild card if they can't win the east. Things just got a lot tougher.

[Zenny]

Originally posted by yeszir@Jun 25 2004, 11:22 AM

The A's were only a closer away from being dominant. Now they have that closer, and will go on to win the west. Dotel completes their team.

 

The sox now need to step it up to win the wild card if they can't win the east. Things just got a lot tougher.

The A's were always the best team in the West. The Angels had the most overrated team in history going into this season. Their entire rotation has an ERA above 5, they have a fantastic bullpen but it's never completely healthy and Vlad, Anderson and Guillen are the only guys in that lineup who can really hit. Overrated.

[yeszir]

Well, Texas is in first as of right now. Dotel will change that. And also, the way the sox are playing, Anaheim is only 1.5 back in the wild card. I know its early, but if Anaheim sucks so much, why are they so close? Oh, I know the answer: the sox suck right now.

[elsrbueno]

While I'm satisfied with this deal for the reasons that have already been stated (Beltran isn't playing for the Yankees, the Red Sox future is intact), this deal confuses me a bit:

 

Billy Beane reportedly WASN'T sold on Scott Williamson as closer, even though he's got way more closing experience?

 

I'm not sold on Dotel as closer. He was MUCH more dominant as an 8th inning man.

 

Kansas City got exactly what they wanted in this deal: Congratulations to them!

 

Houston also made out pretty well. I don't know anything about John Buck (Zenny, help me out here ;-) ), but it seems like Dotel/Buck for 3 months of Beltran isn't that bad a deal.

 

I say Oakland got the raw deal in this one (a shocker, considering they've been pretty good at mid-season trades in the past).

[YanksHater213]

dotel has been pretty shaky this season too...

[Zenny]

Buck is a good offensive catcher, think Ramon Hernandez, but he needs to improve his defense. KC is going to call him up to start behind the plate now. He'll be the best catcher in KC history, but that really isn't saying much.

 

Mike Wood and Mark Teahan, from Oakland, is a sinker-balling #4 starter and a lefty-hitting 3B with some pop. Both of which were very expendable for Oakland with their current situations.

[element1151]

Yes, Oakland is looking pretty good, but i think Anaheim may win the west.