Tejada to the Astros

by Timothy Moreland(Bball3345)

According to ESPN, O's SS Miguel Tejada was traded from the Orioles to the Houston Astros today. In return for Tejada, the O's received five players: Luke Scott, pitchers Matt Albers, Troy Patton and Dennis Sarfate, and third-base prospect Michael Costanzo.

Miguel Tejada: Tejada has been to four All-Star games and won himself an AL MVP award. Over the next two seasons, Tejada will make $13 million. From 2004-6, he put up three MVP-worthy years, with both stellar offense and defense. Last season, at 31-years-old, Tejada's bat declined along with his defense. If Tejada fails to bounce back after a down year, he still is worth the $13 milion; however, Tejada still remains young enough to expect a full return to elite levels. Assuming a more normal Tejada year, the Astros have received a bargain player who will fit nicely in the lineup.

Luke Scott: Scott, an outfielder, burst onto the scene in 2006 and followed up solidly in 2007 with a .255/.351/.504 line. His defense has been above average as well. Although 2008 will only be his second year, Scott will be 30-years-old. In no way does he give the Orioles full return on Tejada, but he should be a legitimate bat in the outfield.

Matt Albers; Albers, at 24-years-old, has not shown anything in the majors and has a low K/9 rate.

Patton is a 22-year-old lefty and Sarfate is a 26-year-old righty.

It will take a few years to declare a winner in this deal, but the Astros appear to come out well ahead over the remaining two years of Tejada's deal.