The Astros have dealt 33-year old lefty starting pitcher Wandy Rodriguez and a big wad of cash to the Pittsburgh Pirates for 24-year old lefty starting pitcher Rudy Owens, 21-year old lefty starting pitcher Colton Cain and 22-year old switch-hitting outfielder Robbie Grossman. Rodriguez pitched in 21 games (all starts) for the Astros this year and he was 7-9 with a 3.79 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP. He pitched in 227 games (218 starts) in his 8 years with the Astros and he was 80-84 with a 4.04 ERA and a 1.34 WHIP. Rodriguez finishes his time with the Astros 10th in team history with 80 wins. He is also #10 in games started (218) and #9 in strikeouts (1,093) in Astros’ history. They are going to miss him.

Rudy Owens is nearly ready for the majors. He came into this season as the Pirates’ #16 prospect according to Baseball America. Owens pitched in 19 games (all starts) in AAA-ball for the Pirates this year and he was 8-5 with a 3.14 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP. He has now pitched in 112 games (108 starts) in his first seven years in the minors and he is 44-30 with a 3.38 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP. Colton Cain came into this season as the Pirates’ #13 prospect according to Baseball America. Cain pitched in 16 games (all starts) in A-ball for the Pirates this year and he was 3-5 with a 4.20 ERA and a 1.24 WHIP. He has now pitched in 55 games (48 starts) in his first three years in the minors and he is 10-15 with a 4.04 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP. Robbie Grossman came into this season as the Pirates’ #8 prospect heading into this season according to Baseball America. Grossman played in 95 games in AA-ball for the Pirates this year and he was 93 of 350 (.266 avg, .784 OPS) with 59 runs scored, 7 homers, 36 RBIs and 9 stolen bases. He has now played in 475 games in his first five years in the minors and he is 475 of 1,777 (.267 avg, .767 OPS) with 356 runs scored, 29 homers, 185 RBIs and 84 stolen bases.

The Astros saved money while getting decent prospects in return for Wandy Rodriguez. The Astros are tearing things all the way down to rebuild, but they are getting quality as well as quantity back in every deal so far.