USA Today's Bob Nightengale has a story on Hunter Pence (who, along with Berkman, will likely be the sole source of posts at Astros County for the time being). Dodgers First Base Coach Davey Lopes, who spent the last four years with the Phillies, wasn't impressed with the Astros side of the trade:
"That's why Ruben Amaro is the executive of the year," said Los Angeles Dodgers first base coach Davey Lopes, who spent the previous four years in Philadelphia. "You get Cliff Lee to come there and take less money. And then you steal Pence? That wasn't a trade. That was a steal. You kidding me?"
Amaro told Nightengale that he told Wade of his interest in Pence as early as May:
"It was a lot more perfect fit that we thought. The fans are really into him. And he fit right into this clubhouse."
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
