With word coming out a few days ago that Sutton was the Player To Be Named Later in the Jeff Keppinger deal, there was a reaction from a large portion of the fanbase that is typical; outrage. Many were fed up with the Astros trading away “another top prospect” for nothing more than a “utility” player. The Astros had a questionable bench to begin with and once Aaron Boone fell there was clearly a need for an addition to the bench, and through 15 at bats so far has hit safely in nearly half of them. We should be happy, right? No, instead we’re running after management with torches in our hands because of the loss of a soon to be 26 year old breaking reaching AAA for the first time in his career.

Here are the reasons why this trade makes complete sense:

1) Drew Sutton has been completely irrelevant up until his fantastic season last year in AA as a 25 year old. The guy had absolutely no value up until this spring. Ed Wade saw this as the perfect opportunity to sell high. At this point last year Drew Sutton wouldn’t have garnered anything short of a career minor leaguer, so while his value is up there for what could easily by a short period of time why not utilize his value while you can?

2) Roster space. The infield was clogged in Round Rock. You had your prospects in Maysonet, Manzella, and Sutton along with your much needed veterans in Gall, Kata, and Saccomanno. As Cooper stressed in Spring Training, you need the veterans going far into the season since injuries are inevitable. There was simply no room for all three of the prospects. Edwin Maysonet already proved to be more major league ready this spring after making it to one of the last days before being sent back. Tommy Manzella has been called the shortstop of the future with a glove compared to Adam Everett. Ultimately, that leaves Sutton as the odd man out; especially with Tejada likely gone after this year (leaving a shortstop spot open next season) while Matsui will be here for the next 2 years (no opening for Sutton.)

3) Sutton’s overall potential. The guy is soon to be 26 years old and has yet to do anything until last year where he pounded on a bunch of players who are either washed up career minor leaguers or 21 and 22 year old pitchers working their way up. It’s the equivalent of a 30 year old mashing in AAA, like a Mark Saccomano. Let’s say everything goes perfectly for Sutton. He’s simply a late bloomer and will find himself producing in AAA. Wha’ts next for him? He’s not going to be the next Craig Biggio, hell, he’s not even a guarantee to be the next Chris Burke. At the very best Sutton will simply become… a Jeff Keppinger! Which leaves me baffled as to why people are panicking over this trade. Why WOULDN’T the Astros move a guy who one day MIGHT be as good as Jeff Keppinger if right now we can have the guaranteed production? If in two years the Astros are missing Drew Sutton it will only prove the state of the team to be substantially worse than it already is.

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Sorry for the brief hiatus. A few issues got in the way including my computer crashing.

Anyway, I’ll come back by making the case to leave Paulino in the rotation long term. The 7th ranked prospect in the Astros system according to Baseball America, Paulino was limited greatly after doing all sorts of damage to his pitching arm. Paulino was incredible in 2007, posting a 3.62 ERA while striking out virtually a batter per inning. That was when Paulino was a 23 year old in AA. Now, 2 years later, Paulino does not have the luxery of time. At 25 years old he is going to have to prove himself soon, and what better way to do that than to post six shutout innings after being called up the day of? Now, one start is not going to determine his long term potential, and the Reds are hardly a team full of great hitters. Regardless, in a rotation that features a bunch of question marks, both in terms of health and ability, Paulino gave an effort that the Astros desperately need.

Brian Moehler gave an unbelievable effort last year that was desperately needed. That said, this is a 37 year old pitcher who hadn’t had a year nearly as productive as 2008. There is no reason to believe that this guy suddenly found himself at the end of his career. It was the definition of a fluke. There is no way he is deserving of his contract nor a spot in the rotation. The current injury does not help his case, either.

Ed Wade and Co. have promised to produce some youth for the first time in a very long time. He and Bobby Heck did a great job starting that process with the 2008 draft. At the same time, that process should also include the players we have at higher levels already in the system. The team did not add Bud Norris, Chris Johnson, or Tommy Manzella to the roster to start the year, and there are absolutely justifications for that including age, time needed in the minors to work on things, or simply being beat out by a superior talent. For Paulino there really isn’t much more to prove. He dominated in AA before being hurt, and in his short stint in AAA was incredible as well before being called up to spot-start with the big club (where he of course was great as well). Paulino has clearly worked on his secondary pitches, a nice improvement on what was mostly a big fastball with nothing to counter it a few years back. It’s time to give him a chance to earn his spot on the team. Even if Felipe Paulino bombs it’s not too big of a deal. There is absolutely no way that Paulino can perform that much worse than Brian Moehler that the Astros miss the playoffs as a result. I see a lot more potential in the 25 year old arm than I do in a fading 37 year old one, both short term and long term.

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With the first game of the season in less than 48 hours, the Houston Astros made their final cuts and announced the 25-man roster that will be with Houston for opening day. Although the selections are hardly surprising now, there are a few names on the roster that were not under the radar when Spring Training commenced.

Jason Smith, a player who essentially has been a career minor leaguer, has won the backup short stop job. Entering camp prospects Tommy Manzella, Drew Sutton, and Edwin Maysonet were the main targets. For Manzella and Sutton, Cooper was impressed but felt they needed more time in the minor leagues before getting their chance with the major league club, which Cooper claimed could be this season. Maysonet was the final competition for the job for Smith, but Smith outhit Edwin and showed much more versatility; Maysonet is a lot less experienced at second base and third base than Smith is. Smith, who has been productive in most of his games this spring, admitted to being nervous today, going hitless in his three at-bats as well as making an uncharacteristic error. Nonetheless, he is relieved to have officially made the team.

Russ Ortiz was the other player to lock up a spot that he very much earned. Although unlikely to make it out of camp, the fall of Brandon Backe as well as his consistency in each of his outings locked up the final rotation spot for Russ. The former All-Star will look to keep that spot for the rest of the year. While Russ has done nothing but impress thus far he has to prove he can last a full season. Injuries have compromised him in the past, and between Brandon Backe and Chris Sampson trying to get back into the rotation as well as minor leaguers Bud Norris, Jose Capellan, and Clay Hensley trying to force their way back up Ortiz will not be warranted the leeway a Wandy Rodriguez will.

The final cuts today were Jose Capellan, Reggie Abercrombie, and Lou Santangelo. Capellan was the loser of the battle for the final rotation spot but claims he “feels good” about his situation and plans on playing his way back up to the major league club. Reggie Abercrombie’s move to AAA is not shocking either. The resigning of Darin Erstad as well as the acquisition of Jason Michaels left no room for Abercrombie, who hit well this spring. If and when an outfielder goes down Reggie will most likely be the one called up. The cut of Santangelo is not shocking, but the fact he even made it this far has been a pleasant surprise. Of all the names thrown out there for the catching battle, Santangelo’s was ignored for the most part. He was not viewed as a viable option by anyone entering camp, but he lasted until the final day. Santangelo admitted he was “dissapointed” but not shocked by any means. Santangelo has put himself right into the mix. It will be interesting to see if Santangelo has jumped over Towles and Palmisano as the team’s 3rd catcher.

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