What is better than a brand new ATR on Halloween? I mean, the ATR is designed around a masked identity dispensing things that people want. While the role is slightly reversed, the idea remains valid. And shame on Mr. Hansen for egging my house on Devil’s Night. He should take his ATR the same way the rest of you do, with a grain of salt. Anyway, these trades won’t analyze themselves, no matter how much I want them to.
Chicago (N) receives P Pat Underwood.
Houston receives Chicago (N)’s first round Amateur draft choice in 1992.
The Houston Astros deserve an ATR Hall of Fame mention for making this deal work. They turned $10,000,000 into a first round pick. That’s talent anyway you look at it. You may be left with a puzzled look on your face as you try to figure this out, but let me explain the logic behind and you will see why I am so impressed someone did this.
Pat Underwood was signed this offseason to a 2 year deal at $10,000,000 a season. Anyone could have had Underwood if they wanted him. The Astros, having acquired him and seemingly headed for the basement or the underbasement with the squad they have assembled, never let Underwood play for them. Instead, before the season started, they sent him on his way to the Cubs for a first round Amateur draft choice. That’s some fine work indeed.
Underwood the pitcher is a fine starter. He is a consistant number two or three starter and is missed in Seattle this season. He’s done solid, but unspectacular work for the Cubs so far. Nonetheless, once the Cubs started throwing their guns at the owners having run out of bullets, it made sense to get someone like Underwood to bolster a flaccid rotation. Nonetheless, they would have been much smarter using their money to get him instead of dealing away a key piece of tomorrow.
Winner: Houston
San Francisco receives 2B Jose Oquendo and 3B Mike Blowers.
Detroit receives C Bill Hayes, 2B Keith Miller and 3B Jerry Browne.
The San Francisco Giants were a lot like Rumplestilskin here. They managed to spin gold from straw. Jose Oquendo is a fine second baseman to have on your team. His power is lacking, but he makes up for it with first rate defense and an amazing ability to get on base. Mike Blowers is a fine prospect at 3B. He might not be needed or a first rate starter, but he should get the job done or at least make an excellent bench player for the Giants.
And what straw did they give to Oquendo and Blowers? Well, Bill Hayes is a quality catcher. Of course, the Tigers have Gary Carter, so that really doesn’t make much sense. But wait, it gets better since Hayes blows the rest of the players in the deal away. Jerry Browne is an acceptable utility player. He’ll never hit enough to be a regular, but he gives you flexibility off the bench. (Note: It is always a bad thing when I talk about a player’s flexibility as his positive.) Keith Miller is very similar player to Jerry Browne, though not quite the hitter, but a better defensive 2B. And he is very flexible.
Winner: San Francisco
Boston receives 1B Willie Aikens
Montreal receives P Jim Poole and Boston’s fifth round Amateur draft choice in 1991.
Willie Aikens and Jim Poole. You know, some days this is difficult to do. I mean, what can you say about Willie Aikens and Jim Poole.
From the ATR’s file card collection.
Jim Poole: Left-handed reliever with minimal potential. A couple of talent boosts could make him a solid left hander. Nothing more than a throw-in in a trade.
Willie Aikens: Quality first baseman who could start for a number of teams. Has decent power and could be an All-Star in an off year. (You know, the ATR should update his file cards more often, since Aikens is nothing more than a bench bat/emergency starter at this stage of his career.)
Winner: Montreal
Toronto receives SS Felix Fermin and 3B Paul Runge.
Montreal receives SS Gary Disarcena and P Steve Curry.
This is a classic case of from the frying pan into the fire. Fermin and Disarcena are interchangeable shortstops. Paul Runge is solid AA 3B who is sitting on the Blue Jay bench.
But let’s talk about Steve Curry. This is the 45th ATR Report and Steve Curry is by far the worst player ever analyzed. He’s 24 and at his peak, he should post an ERA of 15 in the big leagues. What is going through your mind when you say, what about Steve Curry? He will never be good enough to pitch in AAA, let alone the big leagues. So, why would you trade for him. WHY???
I assume it is to torment me when I write the ATR. Mark my words, Montreal will rue the day they traded for Steve Curry.
Winner: Toronto
Toronto receives P John Verhoeven.
Houston receives Toronto’s third round Amateur draft choice in 1992.
The Blue Jays seem to have finally turned the corner. Adding Verhoeven shows that they are looking in the right direction. Verhoeven was once a great reliever back when he was the closer for some great Cubs teams. Now, Verhoeven is a solid and dependable middle reliever who can absorb 70 innings at a slightly above-average level. The Blue Jays could definitely use that as they challenge for the AL East this season. And the Blue Jays paid a very cheap price as their third round pick in 1992 should be no better than the middle of the pack.
Winner: Toronto
A couple of rather cool things are happening in San Diego this year. The first and most important is that the usual spot in the standings the Padres have loved to occupy is now taken by the Houston Astros. The Padres are winning and leading the National League West Division by a couple of games over the Dodgers and Giants. The Second and perhaps less obvious good news is Bob Tewksbuy. Lets look at his life time stats...
Yr G GS W L S ERA IP HA R ER BB K CG SHO
1986 3 3 1 2 0 6.94 11.2 25 13 9 0 5 0 0 SD
1987 17 17 8 4 0 3.01 107.2 117 39 36 14 51 1 0 SD
1988 35 35 16 10 0 2.82 220.1 228 79 69 37 147 0 0 SD,NL
1989 36 36 16 10 0 2.61 241.0 239 88 70 30 152 0 0 SD,NL
1990 12 12 5 3 0 2.49 83.0 80 28 23 8 48 0 0 SD
Tot 103 103 46 29 0 2.81 663.2 689 247 207 89 403 1 0
ERA Hits 2Bs HRs Walks Ks Velocity
Overall 4 3 7 8 8 6 2
vs. LHP 3 7 8 8 6
vs. RHP 4 7 8 9 6
Talent Fair Good Good Brilliant Good