Reds Ship Hamilton to Texas
December 22, 2007 by Geoff Young
Filed under Transactions
The Cincinnati Reds have traded outfielder Josh Hamilton to the Texas Rangers for right-hander Edinson Volquez and left-hander Danny Herrera. Hamilton was one of the bigger surprises of the 2007 season, but apparently the Reds deemed him expendable. Hamilton’s power will play anywhere, and if he can stay healthy (and clean), he should put up some sick numbers at Arlington. Like, 40 homers isn’t out of the question.
Volquez is a hard thrower who has been highly regarded for some time but who hasn’t been able to translate his stuff into results in limited chances at the big-league level. Ranked #3 among Rangers prospects by Baseball America coming into 2007, Volquez owns a 7.20 ERA in 80 innings with Texas over parts of the past three seasons. His chief problems have been giving up way too many hits, walks, and home runs. Ouch.
Volquez’ minor-league numbers have been fantastic, including a 2.67 ERA and 10.26 K/9 in 172 innings at Triple-A over the past two seasons. From the Baseball America 2007 Prospect Handbook
If he can refine his curve and command, Volquez can earn a rotation spot in the spring and eventually emerge as a frontline starter. If he can’t, he soon could find himself in the bullpen.
We’ve discussed Cincy’s need for help in the rotation, and if Volquez can meet earlier projections, then this could work out well for the Reds. However, if he ends up in the bullpen, they may regret having given up a player of Hamilton’s caliber to get him. Not that Hamilton comes without risk, but at least he’s accomplished something at the big-league level.
Herrera is a 5′7″ reliever who works in the low-80s but who features a devastating changeup. Despite a lack of overpowering stuff, he’s succeeded everywhere he’s been to this point, including Double-A for most of ‘07.
Maybe this will work out for the Reds, but I think they gave up too much.
Other Voices
Herrera is going to be new the Chad Bradford-ish reliever, who’s got nothing but a single skill: weirdness. His changeup is really a screwball, Fernando style, but he delivers it in the low sixties.
You’re gonna love to see him pitch. And he’s going to pitch. For a long time.
Cool, thanks for the update. From everything I’ve read on the guy, he sounds fascinating.