Bud Norris has never been anything close to a real ace — and he's not going to grow into one at age 28. Houston Astros manager Bo Porter can talk about losing his Opening Day starter all he wants, but that's a distinction Norris "won" by default, one he'll never ever enjoy in his career again.
The Houston Astros absolutely needed to get something for Norris — and general manager Jeff Luhnow pulled it off, taking advantage of an ultra weak pitching market. Or at least as much advantage as he could when the chip was Bud Norris.
Luhnow turns Norris — and his 6.38 July ERA — into Baltimore Orioles outfielder L.J. Hoes, a recent callup who is rated the sixth best prospect in the Orioles organization; minor league pitcher Josh Hader and a compensatory draft pick (Fox Sports Ken Rosenthal first broke the news, the biggest of a lethargic final Major League Trade Deadline push Wednesday afternoon.)
The 23-year-old Hoes is unlikely to ever be a star, but he has the potential to be a starter (Hoes was the Orioles minor league player of the year in 2012). Norris never fit into the Astros future. And it will be interesting to see him try and battle the American League East's powerhouse lineups start after start in Baltimore.
Norris has a high WHIP (1.41) and he doesn't come close to even striking out a batter per inning (90 Ks in 126 innings this season). This isn't losing Hunter Pence at the 2011 trading deadline (a move which has worked out great for the Astros in retrospect).
It means you've become so numbed by the constant losing that you have no idea what a good Major League Baseball player actually looks like.
If you're mourning the loss of Bud Norris, you've sunk to a new low in Astros fandom. It means you've become so numbed by the constant losing that you have no idea what a good Major League Baseball player actually looks like.
Jettisoning Norris is another quality move for The Smartest Team In Baseball. Yes, The Smartest Team In Baseball. Don't be surprised when the Astros' scorched-earth rebuild is cited in sports seminars years from now — right alongside Daryl Morey's amazing makeover of the Houston Rockets.
The Astros continue to refuse to pretend like they're trying to win now. They are actually honoring their fans' intelligence. Yes, the payroll is now below $13 million — with another $500,000 going in an earlier trade. So what? The numbers that currently matter are the amount of worthy prospects in the minor leagues. Luhnow continues to relentlessly and ruthlessly add to that.
He also managed to trade ever-disappointing outfielder Justin Maxwell (the guy with two home runs in 40 games) to the Kansas City Royals Wednesday for right-handed pitcher Kyle Smith. At least Maxwell had a nice Opening Night.
Luhnow is having a better summer amid the carnage. He'll take more losses — and a future.
Bud Norris just wasn't a part of the Houston Astros future.
