Posted by Enrique Rojas - ESPN
Closer Jose Valverde is not available as trade bait, according to Astros GM Ed Wade.
"Basically, I don't like to talk publicly about potential trades, but I can assure that Valverde is not being traded," Wade said Monday in Las Vegas.
Valverde, 28, led the NL in saves with 44 and had 47 in 2007. Valverde is set to become a free agent after the upcoming season.
According to insiders, Houston was considering trading Valverde, Miguel Tejada or Ty Wigginton to cut its payroll.
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I bet Wigginton isn't an Astro for much longer.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
