Goodbye Pudge, Hello Minor Leaguers

Well whaddaya know? Pudge Rodriguez was traded to the Rangers, not sure exactly WHY they wanted him back, seeing as how they have a surplus of good young catchers and Pudge has already reached his marketable milestones. I most certainly was NOT impressed with Pudge's game calling skills, blocking skills (check the number of WP allowed) or his bat - he led the Astros with most negative RCAA at -19 (Brad Ausmus levels, that is.) But I AM impressed that somehow Ed Wade talked Drayton/Tal into letting him trade a washed up guy who wouldn't be offered arbitration for SOME warm minor leaguer bodies (last time that happened it was Mo Ensberg to the Padres for some live body - or maybe it was Jason Lane.) So anyway, we're getting back a 22 year old A-ball guy (and 2 PTBNL) who was the Ranger's 10th rounder out of HS in 05. Matt Nevarez, RHP, is a reliever who, this year, has thrown 35 innings over 34 games with a 2.83 ERA/1.06 WHIP and a 4 BB/9 and a 12.9 K/9. According to minorleaguesplits.com, he has a FIP of 2.47, BAA .184 overall; curiously enough, rightys hit him much better than leftys (don't tell Coop - he'd have, like, you know, heart failure) with a 0.85 WHIP vs 1.13 WHIP. This is really only his 3rd year in pro ball - he missed virtually all of 06 and 07, don't know why, which is why he's a little old for A ball. But youneverknow, AND we all know how the Astros prefer to leave players in the minors to overcook. And speaking of overcook, of COURSE JR Towles isn't coming up to the majors to take Pudge's spot. Not unless Coop is no longer manager. Which, with any luck, will be very VERY soon.