D-Backs Make 2 Trades

[sportsfan882]

D-Backs trade 6 Prospects for Dan Haren. They also traded Valverde to Houston for Qualls, Burke, and Juan Gutierrez.

http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071214&content_id=2326595&vkey=news_ari&fext=.jsp&c_id=ari

PHOENIX -- The D-backs completed a deal to acquire right-handers Dan Haren and Connor Robertson from the A's in exchange for six prospects, it was announced Friday afternoon.

In addition, the D-backs sent closer Jose Valverde to the Astros in exchange for infielder Chris Burke and right-handers Chad Qualls and Juan Gutierrez.

Included in the trade to Oakland are pitchers Brett Anderson, Greg Smith and Dana Eveland along with outfielders Carlos Gonzalez and Aaron Cunningham and first baseman Chris Carter.

Glad we didn't trade Chief to Houston.  Chief=Valverde and look what Arizona got back in return for him.. Zippy

[ronnynat]

Wow. I thought the A's would wait until Santana was traded. That's a lot of prospects they got, though.

I just saw that Santana's now looking for 7 years, $140 mil.

[daveb32]

Let's hope Haren struggles in the NL like Zito did last year.

[shoeshineboy]

Wow. I thought the A's would wait until Santana was traded. That's a lot of prospects they got, though.

I just saw that Santana's now looking for 7 years, $140 mil.

They seemed to go with the quantity here with the prospects. Interesting approach. Haren is so good, I would have thought they would trade him for a couple of high quality position players. This will be one of those trades tracking over time on the results, because Haren is a gem.

The trading of Valverde didn't yield much in return. Perhaps this was more about freeing up money to pay for Haren.

[ronnynat]

The trading of Valverde didn't yield much in return. Perhaps this was more about freeing up money to pay for Haren.

I thought they got a pretty good deal for Valverde. The combo of Chad Qualls and Juan Gutierrez beats Valverde alone, IMO. Burke would just be a bonus backup middle IF. Not bad.

[soxfan59]

Well, this is a surprise!  The prospects given up for Haran are not top rate, IMHO, or if they ever will be, are many years away (included in the deal were former Sox farmhands Chris Carter (who we just gave the D-backs for Carlos Quentin) and Aaron Cuningham).  I thought Haran's upside was much bigger.  He is a definite upgrade over Levian Hernandez, I would think.  Chad Qualls could be an excellent set up guy.  The D-Backs got the best of these deals, I'm sure. 

I'm glad Haran didn''t wind up in Cleveland, as Chicago media outlets predicted.   

[shoeshineboy]

I thought they got a pretty good deal for Valverde. The combo of Chad Qualls and Juan Gutierrez beats Valverde alone, IMO. Burke would just be a bonus backup middle IF. Not bad.

I guess it depends on perspective. I am really not a big fan of Qualls at all. Valverde coming off a career year as a closer with 47 saves and a 2.66 ERA could have really returned something much more interesting. That's a big chip to trade. It seems more like they were trying to avoid a costly piece as opposed to returning maximum value.

Edited: I'll admit my opinion of Qualls has been based more on how the Nats seem to do against him, which of course is not the way to judge someone, but I just can't help it. I always some him in a similar light as Jorge Julio - the gift that keeps giving.

[2k6nats]

Glad we didn't trade Chief to Houston.  Chief=Valverde and look what Arizona got back in return for him...

Honestly, I've got to disagree.  With the way Valverde performed, even though he's a bad sport, Valverde>Cordero, at least as far as trade value right now.

[shoeshineboy]

Honestly, I've got to disagree.  With the way Valverde performed, even though he's a bad sport, Valverde>Cordero, at least as far as trade value right now.

I agree with the Valverde>Chad part, but I believe that supports his overall point that Valverde could have been dealt for more.

[2k6nats]

I agree with the Valverde>Chad part, but I believe that supports his overall point that Valverde could have been dealt for more.

Oh, absolutely.  I agree with his point; just making one of my own.

[PANatsFan]

D-Backs trade 6 Prospects for Dan Haren. They also traded Valverde to Houston for Qualls, Burke, and Juan Gutierrez.

http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071214&content_id=2326595&vkey=news_ari&fext=.jsp&c_id=ari
Glad we didn't trade Chief to Houston.  Chief=Valverde and look what Arizona got back in return for him.. Zippy

I thought Jimbo made a strong push for Gonzalez last year (according to Svrluga) and that he's a top prospect

[DPMOmaha]

So, if the Dbacks can generate any sort of offense next season, they should be the team it be in the NL, I'd have to think.

[shoeshineboy]

So, if the Dbacks can generate any sort of offense next season, they should be the team it be in the NL, I'd have to think.

Yeah, I give them credit for feeling that they got close enough this year that they needed to trade some of tomorrow for a big piece today. Omar Minaya hasn't seemed to grasped that concept just yet. I hope Bowden and Kasten understand it when our time comes. But their willingness to trade a young prospect for someone they viewed was major league ready bodes well for the Nats' future.

[ronnynat]

They're still lacking the big bat in the middle of their order, but they do have Chris Young leading off, and he hit 32 HR last season.

They don't have the most well-known bullpen, but it's really solid. They should definitely be up there next season.

[sportsfan882]

I agree with the Valverde>Chad part, but I believe that supports his overall point that Valverde could have been dealt for more.

Valverde is a hot head and has truthfully had one good season, last season.  Chad is also 3 years younger.  I wouldn't be surprised to see Valverde get hammered this year in Houston.

[CALSGR8]

The picture of I think Valverde on MLB.com.  Man, does that picture scream Roid rage or what?!   

[spidernat]

The picture of I think Valverde on MLB.com.  Man, does that picture scream Roid rage or what?!   

Not necessarily. You can take a snapshot of just about anyone in the middle of certain expressions and get the same.