Pirates Acquire LHP Wandy Rodriguez from Astros

When there's rain there's rainbows and tonight is a perfect example of that as the Pirates suffer their second straight loss to the Cubs but acquire the strong LHP Wandy Rodriguez from the Astros. Tom Singer was the first one to break this story tonight on twitter but was latter officially confirmed by the Pirates at the conclusion of tonight's loss.

Rudy Owens, Robbie Grossman, and Colton Cain were the ones dealt to the Astros in this deal, which I think is a very good thing for the Pirates. Rudy Owens has had a very solid year thus far in AAA but has had his bad starts as well, with the stuff Owens has he will never be more then a number three starter, which is something the Pirates can afford to lose in their situation. Grossman has had a solid past month in AA for Altoona but was pretty bad before that putting up close to a .230 average in that time. That being said a lot of scouts like what Grossman has in his tool bag but I haven't heard anyone ever predict he will be an impact big league player, so not a crazy huge loss there. Colton Cain was the Pirates eighth round pick back in 2009 and made it all the way to A+ ball this year in Bradenton, throwing 75 innings with a 4.20 ERA to this point. I really don't look at Cain as much of a loss since I really don't think he will ever see time in the major leagues.

 The Pirates showed tonight that they are trying to go for it and are willing to make some fairly aggressive moves to do so. One of the other big things the Pirates got in this trade was some very good cash to pay for Wandy's contract which goes all the way through 2013 with an option for him to pitch for the Pirates in 2014. Reportedly the Astros will pay 2 million this year 4.5 next and 5.5 in 2014, meaning that the Pirates will only have to pay 17.5 million of his contract through 2014, a pretty good deal if you ask me. It will be interesting to see if the Pirates go out and try to acquire another bat and continue there pursuit for the postseason, or if they will stand pat and go with what they have. None the less this whole year just got a little more exciting, I can't wait to see how this turns out.