Monday, July 18, 2011

On trading Hunter Pence

The Pirates are scouting Hunter Pence.

Pence:
"I've been an Astro my whole career. They're all I know. It's completely out of my hands, so I embrace the challenge of doing what I've got to do each day. In this business, you never know, but it's not something you should focus on."

Anthony Castrovince says that trading Pence is the right thing to do:
The right move now is to explore offers for Pence, because he's going to be both costly and on the wrong side of 30 by the time the Astros are ready to contend again. Furthermore, he could be an attractive piece in this seller's market, which is loaded with clubs (the Phillies spring to mind) looking for offensive assistance, particularly in the outfield. The right-handed power Pence provides is at such a premium that the offers might be overwhelming enough to get a deal done. If not, well, so be it.