Ending an Era (Part 2)...

"Now batting fer yer Yankees, Designated Hitter, Laaaaaaaaance Berkman!"

I took a peek at the Gameday for the Yankes @ Rays game last night, to see how the Puma was doing with his new team. I didn't really have the heart to turn on the video and actually see Berkman in his new set of pinstripes (or whatever the Yankees wear on the road). I think I would have been happy for him if he'd been the hero of the game, but honestly, there was a bit of perverse pleasure to see that he was 0 for 4.

Berkman a Yankee. Devout Christian homebody in the Big Apple... how strange is that going to be? Meanwhile, the Little Pumas are looking for new costumes. Maybe the Astros will retire #17 someday. Who knows, maybe Berkman will even come back next year as a free agent? Before I write about who we got in trade, here are a few photo memories of Berkman as an Astro - there are a lot more on my Astros Fan in Exile Photo Album. Except for the first one (which was taken on my only trip to MMP ever in 2004), these photos were taken at Spring Training and the occasional Astros @ Nats games from 2005-2010.

Brings back the memories, huh?

Now on to the future. In trade for the Puma, the Astros acquired two minor league players:

Mark Melancon - 25 year old RHP, playing at the Triple A level, with a little big league time in 2009-2010 seasons. Facts and opinions gleaned from a mix of web sources: Yankees' 9th round draft pick in 2006,  had Tommy John surgery in 2006, has a mid-90s fastball, best pitch is his hard curve ball. Some concern about his control, with walks on the rise since last year. If he can get the walks down, he's a potential late inning reliever; if not, he's a guy who will come in to pitch a middle inning. Chances are he'll be up pitching for the Astros before too long, with DL churn, and then we'll see.

Jimmy Paredes - 21 year old Class A level infielder, plays mostly at second base, but can also play short and third. Switch-hitter with lots of speed. Strikes out a lot and makes a lot of errors - but hey, he's still youn. Likely potential to be a utility player, not a big league starter, but who knows - he's still a long way from baked. With coaching he could get better, or drop out, or get traded... there's a long road from low-A to the big leagues.

Neither of these guys are as interesting as the players we got for Oswalt. But sentimentality aside, Berkman hasn't had much of a season, and the Astros weren't planning to take up his option for next year. So a pair of prospects is still better than the nothing they'd have if they hadn't dealt now. And meanwhile, thanks to the Oswalt trade, we've got a replacement in Brett Wallace ready to play.

So long Puma. Good luck in NY - hope the change of clubhouse will turn around your bummer season.  Who knows, maybe we'll see you back some day, to finish off your career with the Astros.

In other news, the Nationals clobbered Roy O in his first start with the Phillies...