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.

By: Adam Herman on Apr 21st, 2009
Tagged as: Transactions

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