FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 2007CONTACT: Astros Media Relations ASTROS ACQUIRE INFIELDER TEJADA FROM ORIOLESFour-time All-Star joins Houston in exchange for five players HOUSTON – The Houston Astros announced today that the club has acquired infielder Miguel Tejada from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for right-handed pitcher Matt Albers, third baseman Michael Costanzo, left-handed pitcher Troy Patton, right-handed pitcher Dennis Sarfate and outfielder Luke Scott. The announcement was made by General Manager Ed Wade. “We’ve added a run-producing, All-Star shortstop who will be an absolute force in the middle of our lineup,” said Wade. “With the exception of some time missed in 2007, Miguel has been someone who plays hard for every single inning of every single game. Placing him in our lineup solidifies the offense and gives us a very tough batting order. “We gave up some outstanding players and prospects in this deal, and it hurts. But if you’re going to add a major piece to your club, the price is normally high.” Tejada, 31, hit .296 (152x514) with 18 home runs, 19 doubles and 81 RBI in 133 games for Baltimore in 2007. In 11 Major League seasons, the four-time American League All-Star has hit .287 (1736x6053) with 258 home runs, 337 doubles and 1033 RBI in 1555 career games with Oakland (1997-2003) and Baltimore (2004-07). The two-time Silver Slugger Award winner’s 258 career home runs ranks fourth all-time among players who played primarily at shortstop in their careers, trailing only Alex Rodriguez, Cal Ripken, and Ernie Banks. The 2002 American League Most Valuable Player, Tejada played in all 162 games in six consecutive seasons from 2001-06, and his consecutive games played streak ended at 1,152 on June 22, 2007. He also drove in 100-plus runs in six of seven seasons from 2000-06, with the lone exception being a 98-RBI performance in 2005. In 2006, Tejada hit .330 (214x648) with 24 home runs and 100 RBI. Albers, 24, went 4-11 with a 5.86 ERA (72ER/110.2IP) in 31 appearances (18 starts) for the Astros in 2007. In his 18 starts, the 2006 Texas League Pitcher of the Year posted a 3-11 record with a 5.71 ERA (59/93IP). Albers is 4-13 with a 5.87 ERA (82ER/125.2IP) in 35 games (20 starts) in parts of two Major League seasons with the Astros (2006-07). He was originally selected by the Astros in the June 2001 draft. Costanzo, 24, hit .270 (137x508) with 27 home runs and 86 RBI in 137 games for the Double A Reading Phillies in 2007. The 2007 Eastern League All-Star ranked second in the league in home runs , and he was acquired by Houston from the Philadelphia Phillies on Nov. 7 along with outfielder Michael Bourn and right-handed pitcher Geoff Geary in exchange for right-handed pitcher Brad Lidge and infielder Eric Bruntlett.– MORE – Patton, 22, went 0-2 with a 3.55 ERA (5ER/12.2IP) and eight strikeouts in three appearances (two starts) with Houston in 2007. The Woodlands, Texas native made his Major League debut on August 28 vs. Pittsburgh. In 24 starts between Triple A Round Rock and Double A Corpus Christi in 2007, Patton went a combined 10-8 with a 3.51 ERA (59ER/151.1IP) and 94 strikeouts. He was originally selected by Houston in the June 2004 draft. Sarfate, 26, finished the 2007 season 1-0 with a 1.08 ERA (1ER/8.1IP) and 14 strikeouts in seven appearances with Houston. He did not allow a run in his first 7.1 innings as an Astro. He was acquired by Houston from Milwaukee on September 11 in exchange for cash considerations. Prior to being traded, Sarfate went 2-7 with four saves and a 4.52 ERA (31ER/61.2IP) in 45 games for Triple A Nashville of the Brewers organization. In 15 Major League appearances, he owns a 2.70 ERA (5ER/16.2IP) with 25 strikeouts. Scott, 29, hit .255 (94x369) with 18 home runs and 64 RBI in 132 games for Houston last season. He set career-highs in games, runs (49), hits, doubles (28), home runs, RBI, walks (53) and stolen bases (3) in 2007 and was tied for sixth among NL right fielders in home runs. Scott has hit .273 (181x663) with 28 home runs and 105 RBI in 231 career games over three MLB seasons (2005-07). He was acquired by Houston from Cleveland along with outfielder Willy Taveras in exchange for left-handed pitcher Jeriome Robertson on March 31, 2004.
But now that I know McPhail is calling the shots instead of Angelos, I have a little more faith.
