The deal with the Phillies for Wilton Lopez has hit a snag, and it seems to be all but dead, based on this report from Brian McTaggart. The reported deal was Lopez for Phillies prospects Sebastian Valle and Tyler Cloyd. The Phillies appear to have balked at the results of Lopez's physical.
The Astros are not in a position in their development where holding on to their closer, or any reliever for that matter, is worth passing on legitimate talent in a trade. However, Lopez is cost controlled through 2016, and proved to be the most (only?) reliable member of the bullpen last year. I would not have been devastated to see him go, but I am glad he is sticking around for now. Unless whatever the Phillies saw in the physical does him in, which is a very real possibility.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
