Mad Scientist or Just Plain Mad?
⊆ 12/17/2007 03:36:00 AM by Tommy Ricchezza | ˜ 0 comments »Who woke Ed Wade from his long slumber and lit a fire under his ass?
The same Ed Wade who inhabited the Phillies’ front office as general manager from 1998 to 2005 has now reappeared in the front office of the Houston Astros, where he previously worked as a PR director in the late 1970s and early 1980s. And now, he seems to be on a mission. Whether that mission is to resurrect or ruin the Astros is yet to be concluded, but nonetheless, he is alive and kicking and eager to earn his pay.
The same Ed Wade who inhabited the Phillies’ front office as general manager from 1998 to 2005 has now reappeared in the front office of the Houston Astros, where he previously worked as a PR director in the late 1970s and early 1980s. And now, he seems to be on a mission. Whether that mission is to resurrect or ruin the Astros is yet to be concluded, but nonetheless, he is alive and kicking and eager to earn his pay.
Wade was hired in late September by the 73-89 Astros who were a disappointment after not reaching the postseasons in the two years following their 2005 World Series appearance. Since being hired, Wade has pulled off some major trades in an attempt to put a better team on the field, but as with most trades, they have not come without taking huge risks.
The first major deal that Trader Ed made was dealing former closer and current shell-of-his-former-self Brad Lidge and utility player Eric Bruntlett to Philadelphia for speedy center field prospect Michael Bourn, middle reliever Geoff Geary, and third base prospect Michael Costanzo.
This move was followed by the signing of free agent second baseman Kaz Matsui to replace the now-retired Craig Biggio and the acquisition of relievers Doug Brocail and Omar Villarreal. These certainly were eye-openers, but in the past few days Wade has gone completely bananas unloading a small army of players to acquire a few pieces of the puzzle that is next season’s roster in Houston.
He started by trading five players to Baltimore to acquire shortstop Miguel Tejada, only to hear his new shortstop’s name listed in the Mitchell report. Wade subsequently failed to offer his previous shortstop Adam Everett a contract for next season. In essence, Wade gave up six players for a shortstop with alleged connections to steroids.
This brings back memories of the Von Hayes deal in Philadelphia. Old “five-for-one.”
Wade then continued to unload talent by dealing pitchers Chad Qualls and Juan Gutierrez to the D-Backs for last season’s MLB saves leader Jose Valverde.
When Houston named Wade their new GM, many (including myself) thought that the Astros were assuring themselves mediocrity for the next five seasons. What positives could be said about the Ed Wade that Philadelphians remember? He got robbed when he traded Curt Schilling for Vicente Padilla, Omar Daal and Travis Lee. He then repeated his mistakes when he dealt Scott Rolen to the Cardinals. He signed Mike Lieberthal, Pat Burrell, and David Bell to contracts that were a deadly combination of too long, too costly and too constricting by giving out no-trade clauses.
There was no reason to expect anything new in Houston from Ed Wade, but he has surprised thus far. He is actually making trades and trying to acquire the major talent that he failed to acquire in Philadelphia.
While there are certainly question marks about the trades that has made, there is no doubt that he is certainly creating a stir.
Acquiring Tejada is definitely a risk, especially if he does not live up to his reputation from Baltimore or is a different player in a post-steroids investigation league. It is easy to question Wade for trading away so much young talent for one player. Then Wade is certainly opening himself up for criticism in dealing the best reliever he inherited on the roster in Chad Qualls for Valverde who has had only one exceptional season in his five year career.
Wade is making deals and trying to earn his paycheck this season and trying to revive baseball in Houston but the question remains: Is Ed Wade a mad scientist, or just plain mad?
He started by trading five players to Baltimore to acquire shortstop Miguel Tejada, only to hear his new shortstop’s name listed in the Mitchell report. Wade subsequently failed to offer his previous shortstop Adam Everett a contract for next season. In essence, Wade gave up six players for a shortstop with alleged connections to steroids.
This brings back memories of the Von Hayes deal in Philadelphia. Old “five-for-one.”
Wade then continued to unload talent by dealing pitchers Chad Qualls and Juan Gutierrez to the D-Backs for last season’s MLB saves leader Jose Valverde.
When Houston named Wade their new GM, many (including myself) thought that the Astros were assuring themselves mediocrity for the next five seasons. What positives could be said about the Ed Wade that Philadelphians remember? He got robbed when he traded Curt Schilling for Vicente Padilla, Omar Daal and Travis Lee. He then repeated his mistakes when he dealt Scott Rolen to the Cardinals. He signed Mike Lieberthal, Pat Burrell, and David Bell to contracts that were a deadly combination of too long, too costly and too constricting by giving out no-trade clauses.There was no reason to expect anything new in Houston from Ed Wade, but he has surprised thus far. He is actually making trades and trying to acquire the major talent that he failed to acquire in Philadelphia.
While there are certainly question marks about the trades that has made, there is no doubt that he is certainly creating a stir.
Acquiring Tejada is definitely a risk, especially if he does not live up to his reputation from Baltimore or is a different player in a post-steroids investigation league. It is easy to question Wade for trading away so much young talent for one player. Then Wade is certainly opening himself up for criticism in dealing the best reliever he inherited on the roster in Chad Qualls for Valverde who has had only one exceptional season in his five year career.
Wade is making deals and trying to earn his paycheck this season and trying to revive baseball in Houston but the question remains: Is Ed Wade a mad scientist, or just plain mad?
