Hunter Pence?

by John Q Freejazz on Oct 31, 2007 9:30 AM CDT Comment 23 comments

According to mlbtraderumors.com, the Astros are looking to pick up a center fielder.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2007/10/astros-interest.html

It's not completely clear if that means the Astros will move Hunter Pence to right and let go of Luke Scott or if they would deal Pence.

For the sake of argument, suppose they would entertain trades for Pence. Here are his numbers from 2007, in which he played an injury-limited number of 108 games:

.322/.360/.539, 19 HR, 69 RBI

On the plus side, he's young (24 years old) and hits for average and power.

On the negative side, he's a righty and all reports indicate that the Cubs are looking for a lefty outfielder. Also, it would mean trading within the division. And finally, again he may or may not be available.

Thoughts?

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of SB Nation or Al Yellon, managing editor (unless it's a FanPost posted by Al). FanPost opinions are valued expressions of opinion by passionate and knowledgeable baseball fans.

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Not happening...

but I like pence...not when he was playing the Cubbies though.

MMMMM...Fernandos fajitas and margaritas

by Kinky Reggae on Oct 31, 2007 9:19 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

No way it's happening

he's the future of that franchise. Although, maybe they know something about him (pure speculation) and figure this is the height of his value. And if that's the case, then stay away anyway.

"Prince Fielder Dies Of Inside-The-Park Homerun" - The Onion

by DTJchris on Oct 31, 2007 9:27 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks for the rumor John..

I just don't see it. I don't think the two teams match up well as trading partners. And it's such a crappy division, there is totally the chance that with smart moves, the Astros are back in the mix by 2009. So I can't see them trading away good talent in the division. It just makes their chances tougher.

by Damen Jackson on Oct 31, 2007 9:25 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I seem to recall hearing...

...that the Astros organization was quite high on Pence, and he seemed to be a fan favorite. I'd be really surprised to see him dealt.

"Baby, I'm born to lose." ~ Johnny Thunders, 1977

by dat cubfan daver on Oct 31, 2007 9:28 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, he'll stay put

I would love to have a player like him in our outfield, though.

As far as the Astros making the right moves, there's no reason they can't be competitive next year, let alone waiting for '09.

Tampa Bay would be a good place to look for an outfielder. They've got a little bit of a logjam.

by JDay on Oct 31, 2007 9:33 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Tampa Bay...

... has proven in the past to be virtually impossible to make a deal with. I'd look elsewhere, if for no other reason than to not have Hendry go over his allotted cellphone minutes.

"That's my opinion and if you don't like it, well, I have others." ~ Groucho Marx

by Al on Oct 31, 2007 9:36 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Something tells me

that he just *might * get reimbursed for that...

by jjmarie30 on Oct 31, 2007 12:24 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pence

is not going anywhere. He'll either play CF or RF depending on who they might acquire. Luke Scott would make a nice 4th OF'er. I don't think they view him as a long-term answer.

by rlpete on Oct 31, 2007 9:34 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Luke Scott would be the odd man out.

If the Astros added a CF, they'd be moving Pence to RF. He's not going anywhere anytime soon.

by ClosingTime on Oct 31, 2007 10:26 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Agreed, Pence is staying in Houston

Most likely they would like to get him out of CF and into a corner spot, not deal him away. I haven't studied the FA market but they may think it'll be easier to acquire a cf than a corner. It's been said that he runs funny too so maybe they want to shorten the distance he has to run to prevent him from injuring himself? That sounds funny but there could be something to it.

I know that you believe that you understood what you think I said, but I am not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant. - Robert McCloskey

by pageian on Oct 31, 2007 10:46 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Yep, they want him in right...

Houston's been wanting to shift Pence into right since he got hot, as they feel he'd be a "better fit" there. He does have the arm for it, seems able to hit for enough power to hold it down, and would likely hold up a little better in the corner.

Houston's not dealing him, and as everyone else is saying, Scott is likely the one to be dealt, if anyone. Assuming they get a CF, too, of course...

by NocNoc on Nov 1, 2007 12:41 AM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Can we please disPENCE with all these rumors?

"Baby, I'm born to lose." ~ Johnny Thunders, 1977

by dat cubfan daver on Oct 31, 2007 10:48 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Boo....

Just kidding.

by jjmarie30 on Oct 31, 2007 12:25 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

There is nothing wrong with remaining

Pence-ive?

MMMMM...Fernandos fajitas and margaritas

by Kinky Reggae on Oct 31, 2007 10:55 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

That was NOT a question dammit!

Not sure why I am yelling...I think at myself.

MMMMM...Fernandos fajitas and margaritas

by Kinky Reggae on Oct 31, 2007 10:55 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Speaking of CF situations...

Did you catch that Mike Cameron has been suspended 25 games for banned substances? Wow.

by Damen Jackson on Oct 31, 2007 11:38 AM CDT reply actions 0 recs

It must have been stimulants

Because the ESPN story mentioned it was a second failed test. Plus, steroids suspensions start at 50 games.

by jjmarie30 on Oct 31, 2007 12:26 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

re: It must have been stimulants

That's the price you pay for hangin' with Neifi.

"Baby, I'm born to lose." ~ Johnny Thunders, 1977

by dat cubfan daver on Oct 31, 2007 12:28 PM CDT up reply actions 0 recs

Liar, liar, Pence on fire...

sorry, couldn't resist... ;-)

Lou Brown: "My kinda team, Charlie, my kinda team..."

by ballhawk on Oct 31, 2007 12:29 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

I'd be

very apprepencive that the Astros would ever trade their most valued position player.

It's not to late to go to Soto.

by tharr on Oct 31, 2007 1:27 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Yes, I would definitely...

..PENCE-il Hunter in as an Astro for some time to come.

"Baby, I'm born to lose." ~ Johnny Thunders, 1977

by dat cubfan daver on Oct 31, 2007 1:34 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

No Pence.

But Luke Scott might be able to be had - he could be a decent, cheap pickup to play RF...

LH bat.
855 OBS.
28 HR in last 583 at bats.

I think he is worth a look.

D-LEE!

by airweino on Oct 31, 2007 2:19 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs

Pence played right

in several games at the end of the season when they were looking at Josh Anderson (September callup) in CF. Frankly, I thought it was a little surprising; from what I saw, Pence covered CF far better than Anderson, and in the Juice Box, a good CF is probably way more important than a good RF. But that may just have been familiarity with the ballpark.

Anyway, all that is to say there's pretty much no way Pence is available; he's clearly the future of the Astros and a definite fan favorite.

by false cognate on Nov 1, 2007 2:24 PM CDT reply actions 0 recs