Jayson Stark's new Rumblings and Grumblings column deals with a few Astros rumors, a portion of which align with what we hear from Smilin' Ken:
But even though Myers is working on an affordable one-year, $3.1 million deal, it appears unlikely the Astros will trade him, believe it or not.
"All I can tell you is what they told us," said an executive of one club that checked in. "They said they'd have to be overwhelmed to move him or Wandy Rodriguez."
I can somewhat understand trying to hold on to Myers - key word being "somewhat." But I cannot understand declining an offer for Wandy Rodriguez, who looks like your prime example of a one-season wonder. It is absolutely ridiculous to consider dealing Roy, but not Wandy. He's in his thirties, he's inconsistent, and why not use the opportunity to just rip the band-aid off and get younger all at once?
While Myers will make $8 million if both sides exercise his option in 2011, Wandy is making $5m and is up for arbitration again. That's $15 million to two pitchers in what would obviously be a rebuilding, experience-growing year.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
