Rays trade Huff to Astros
The Devil Rays made another big deal, trading veteran third baseman Aubrey Huff to the Houston Astros on Wednesday.
The Rays, who also included cash in the deal to cover some of Huff's $6.75-million salary, get back two minor leaguers who were playing at the Double-A level: right-handed starter Mitch Talbot, 6-4 with a 3.39 ERA, and shortshop Ben Zobrist, who is hitting .327 with three homers and 30 RBI.
With Huff traded, Ty Wigginton is likely to take over at third.
Follow the Rays through spring training and the season with Marc Topkin, Joe Smith and the Times sports staff. We invite your participation in the comments area.
Marc, do you think will somehow lead to Young or Upton being called up? If not, who do you expect to fill Huff's roster spot?
Posted by: Chris Lops | July 12, 2006 at 11:21 AM
I don't know much about the two prospects that we got but their numbers are far from staggering. Granted, three weeks ago the trade would look great so we should be luckly that Huff found his stroke and the Rays got some value. Not sure if it was a lot though...especially getting a shortstop in the deal when we already have Lugo(which this make it almost certain he is traded) and Upton behind him. Also, by aquiring another SS it makes Lugo's value actually go down because it makes it seem like we have to trade Lugo now.
Posted by: Anonymous | July 12, 2006 at 11:44 AM
Why in the world would they trade Huff now??? At least wait till the end of the season. He is hot now and is helping the team to solidify. About the time when they are beginning to really work together, this is a bad move, in my opinion.
Posted by: Anonymous | July 12, 2006 at 12:14 PM
I think someone is taking advantage of the baseball in-experienced rays management. This trade makes no sense to me. The Rays gave up a fairly good player AND cash to get two class A players, one of which is a shortstop. Don’t see the logic in this nor the benefits…
Posted by: Anonymous | July 12, 2006 at 12:24 PM
The 2nd post is obviously not someone who is a Rays fan. Huff is in the last season of his contract, he's a free agent at the end of the year.The third post is dead on. I'm not sure why they got a SS in the deal unless they are planning on trading Lugo and trading Upton. They drafted a third baseman so it's not like they are planning on moving Upton to third...........
Posted by: Anonymous | July 12, 2006 at 12:33 PM
"in-experienced rays management"? Let us remember that Hunsinker, who just came from the Astros, is considered to be one of the best baseball talent evaluators in the league. He obviously has first hand knowledge about these players. Plus they needed to move Huff and get something in return since he probably wouldn't have resigned with the Rays. As for the SS I think this is a great move to get Upton to either elevate his game and become the player he is supposed to be or realize that his futue in the Pro's is not going to be at shortstop.
Posted by: MiamiRaysFan | July 12, 2006 at 12:36 PM
marc I think this was a good move for the d rays, huff did not want to be here any more. his play in the field was much better this year than last, but his arm is not to good and lets face it he did not hustle on the bases, the fact that we got any thing for him is a plus, nobody is going to pay him 6 mill a year any more.
Posted by: Anonymous | July 12, 2006 at 01:15 PM
"They drafted a third baseman so it's not like they are planning on moving Upton to third..........."He's got 1st base written all over him.
Posted by: Anonymous | July 12, 2006 at 01:15 PM
I would not be upset at picking up Zobrist. I watched him play in a Wisconsin summer league and he can flat out fly and hit. He also is a 1st class person having watched him interact with children at baseball camps in the area. As an Astros fan I hate to see a high quality person of this caliber leave the organization for a rental player in Huff. Nice trade TB
Posted by: Anonymous | July 12, 2006 at 02:22 PM
Friedman just was quoted as saying Upton to play Third base in Durham.
Posted by: Anonymous | July 12, 2006 at 05:10 PM
WE'LL WILL HUFF'S BAT & THE ONLY GUY WHO WAKES UP FOR THE 2ND HALF.MEANWHILE: UPTON WILL TRY 3RD & MAY BE BACK AT SS IF LUGO GOES. THE ZOBRIST KID IS A LARGE GUY FOR SS LIKE A-ROD. SO I SEE HIM IN THE FIGHT WITH LONGORIA TO LAND THE 3RD BASE JOB IN A YR OR SO. THAT COULD MEAN UPTON HOLDS DOWN SS OR GETS TRADED TO BECOME AN OUTFIELDER HIS BEST SPOT.
Posted by: RICHIE RICARDO | July 14, 2006 at 12:27 PM
WE'LL WILL HUFF'S BAT & THE ONLY GUY WHO WAKES UP FOR THE 2ND HALF.MEANWHILE: UPTON WILL TRY 3RD & MAY BE BACK AT SS IF LUGO GOES. THE ZOBRIST KID IS A LARGE GUY FOR SS LIKE A-ROD. SO I SEE HIM IN THE FIGHT WITH LONGORIA TO LAND THE 3RD BASE JOB IN A YR OR SO. THAT COULD MEAN UPTON HOLDS DOWN SS OR GETS TRADED TO BECOME AN OUTFIELDER HIS BEST SPOT.
Posted by: RICHIE RICARDO | July 14, 2006 at 12:27 PM