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Hawkins to Astros for infielder

July
30

In case you missed it, LaTroy Hawkins was traded to the Astros for Single-A infielder Matt Cusick. He was .285/.356/.462 for Lexington and is a former USC player.

The Yankees also included cash in the deal. As in money, not the GM.

UPDATE, 8:57 p.m.: Cusick is a former 10th-round pick and played at USC with Ian Kennedy.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 30th, 2008 at 8:26 pm by Peter Abraham.
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124 Responses to “Hawkins to Astros for infielder”

  1. blah

    i would have been satisfied with a bag of balls and some big league chew

  2. BBFan

    From numbers looks like a decent prospect.

  3. Buzz

    haha good trade

  4. Mark (Brett back to SWB)

    What exactly are the Astros trying to do? Hawkins and Randy Wolf????????

  5. Dee Dee Ramone

    Nice, way to go Cash

  6. Phil

    Slowish little guy who can hit.

  7. PBL

    what position is Cusick?

  8. yewnork

    some basic info on cusick..

    http://www.baseballamerica.com/statistics/players/cards/?pl_id=84288

  9. Mike NYY

    Nice trade, they save some cash and Kusik may end up being something.

  10. yewnork

    his usc trojans page

    http://usctrojans.cstv.com/sports/m-basebl/mtt/cusick_matt00.html

  11. Buzz

    “what position is Cusick?”

    hes a infielder with some speed drafted 10th round by the astros

  12. TKinDC (have you hugged a prospect today?)

    Congratulations Mr. Cusick:

    You have now bested the proverbial back of balls. Next step –

    2 Maple Bats!.

    Good Luck Sir!

  13. jimmy 27

    How do you think the sox players REALLY feel about
    Manny?
    Pretty sure they hate him now – a lot.

  14. TKinDC (have you hugged a prospect today?)

    bag, not back – whoops!

  15. JR Yankees

    I can’t believe we got something for Hawkins. Honestly, I wish him well. He was a good clubhouse guy and everybody seemed to like him. He was not what we were expecting though.

  16. AlbanyYankee

    Hitting .285/9/38 with an .818 OPS this year at high-A. Here’s a write up on him from his season in the NY-Penn League last year:

    Spent the entire season with Tri-City of the New York-Penn League…drove in a run in five consecutive games starting Aug. 8…stole five bases and was caught once…began a seven-game hitting streak on Aug. 22…went 4-for-4 on Aug. 27…named to the 2007 NYP All-Star team on Aug. 14…hit. 284 with 19 RBIs in43 games before the break… hit .358 in 18 games after the All-Star game.

  17. pat

    An IPK former teammate?

  18. AlbanyYankee

    Second baseman. Bats left. Throws right (obviously)

  19. Mike NYY

    He plays second base. Now we know why Cash’s phone was ringing at least.

    Give me Washburn now and I`ll be happy.

  20. vinny-b (Cashmoney, Girardi, Nardi, Pettitte, Mo = my NYY 5)

    “Guiseppe Franco
    July 30th, 2008 at 6:40 pm
    Like Kennedy? No thanks. We played that game already this year. It’s time to try and win another Championship.

    Maybe you didn’t watch last season unfold but the pitchers who made the biggest impact on the Yanks last season were all kids – Joba, Hughes, and Kennedy”

    said it in the off-season, and will say it now. Kennedy was very lucky, last year. When viewing his starts (last year) there were many hard hit balls. Not sold on him. He have not proven anything.

  21. pat

    Sox coming back. 2 run HR Crisp. Angels 3-2.

  22. David Cone's Labrum

    Keep in mind any players acquired from Florida to Boston could be spun to Pittsburgh for Jason Bay.

    I think the Red Sox would swap Manny for Bay immediately.

  23. drewsky

    With all the talk of compensation picks and how valuable they are, im assuming Latroy wouldnt have been a Type B free agent. Is this correct???

    Cause if he would have been wouldnt it be wise to just let him rot (dont use him when it matters) and get the compensation pick instead of a less talented prospect.

  24. Rubin-Jon Kruk should never be allowed to speak publicly again!

    Havent they noticed there not going to be competing yet?

  25. Buzz

    maybe trade him for washburn :)

  26. Wolf In Pinstripes

    Cusick was playing for the Legends here in Lexington where I live. Unfortunately, I haven’t been going to many of their games this year so I can’t give much of a report on him one way or another. His numbers don’t look too bad, though.

  27. Alex

    drewsk they would have to offer him arbitration for a pic which he might accept and than we would have him for 09

  28. Mike NYY

    You know, during their little skid, the Twins have snuck up in front of the Yankees for the Wild Card

  29. The Truth

    Cause if he would have been wouldnt it be wise to just let him rot (dont use him when it matters) and get the compensation pick instead of a less talented prospect.

    You’d have to risk offering arbitration and he could accept, then you’re stuck with him for another season.

  30. Phil

    I hope we’re getting somebody better than Washburn for our new starter.

  31. John H.

    jimmy 27, what exactly are you referring to when you said, “Pretty sure they hate him now – a lot.” I’m not sure what you meant by now (like did he do something recently?).

  32. Blargh

    Actually, given that Hawkins was DFA’d…if he was released, who’d be considered the owner of his rights/be the one who may offer arbitration, if he was somehow a type B?

  33. #9

    At this point if you are Manny – you better hope you get traded – no one in that clubhouse will be behind him.

  34. Bill from NJ

    From rotoworld:

    “Cusick, a 2007 10th-round pick, was hitting .285/.356/.462 as a 22-year-old in low-A ball. He’s unlikely to ever see the majors.”

  35. gayle

    Feel bad for Hawk his time here might not have been what he wnated but he gets traded from the Yankees to the Astros, we are talking about the Astros a team that has no shout of going anywhere near the playoffs this year, at least if he went to the Twins he would have a shot.

    Like I have always said not my kind of pitcher but certainly my kind of guy and my kind of clubhouse guy.

    And NIck i case you moved to this thrad I will be in Ocean City in 2 weeks so please make sure you leave some of the beach for me

  36. SJ44

    Even if they swapped the Marlins players for Bay, its a bad trade for the Red Sox.

    Sorry, Jason Bay is not nearly the offensive force Manny Ramirez is and never will be in his career.

    Nobody in the AL will be walking Bay intentionally in RBI situations. Nobody is afraid of Jason Bay.

    When you cut through all the BS, its amazing if the Sox trade Manny.

    He’s been nuts for years. This isn’t news. For the Sox, who have been enablers for Manny every step of the way, to know say, “enough is enough” is comical to me.

    The guy can still hit when motivated. Hell, he drove in 6 runs on Sunday and Monday alone.

    Call me skeptical. I still don’t think they will trade him.

    If they do, they better get more than what’s been rumored they are getting for him.

    If they don’t, in two weeks, when these new players aren’t hitting Manny, the natives will be very restless in Beantown.

  37. TKinDC (have you hugged a prospect today?)

    “maybe trade him for washburn :)”

    This is not as illogical as I thought when I first read it.

  38. jimmy 27

    John H
    Just the recent Manny hijinks – after a while it gets too much. (Sitting out games and bad mouthing the mgmt)
    Oh and today he said “the sox don’t deserve a player like me”

  39. bigjf

    I hope Cashman stays. He is looking brilliant. I mean how do you turn a DFA’d mediocre veteran spare part into a 22 year old middle infielder with offensive potential? Brilliant stuff! How much money was involved? $22 million?!!

  40. TKinDC (have you hugged a prospect today?)

    SJ –

    Does Detroit’s record have anything to do with Pudge’s value vis a vis draft picks?

    I would assume that now that he is ours, only our record and his performance matter, no?

    Thanks.

  41. Someone Else

    I’m just waiting to hear that Cashman has somehow finagled a Giambi+Igawa for Adrian Gonzalez+Peavy trade, lol.

    How’d he get anything for Hawkins? Heh.

  42. Dr. J

    Agree Phil, i’m not really impressed with Rasner. He is basically the left handed Rasner, with playoff experience.

    But i’m not sure who else is out there. It has to be an under-the-radar type move like a Wandy Rodriguez, Justin Duchscherer, Jonathan Sanchez, Chris Young (Padres), or somebody like that. Doubt any of those guys are available, but I expect Cash to make an under the radar move like that, not picked up by MLBtraderumors.

  43. Blargh

    It’s the record of whoever signs him (as they’re the ones giving up the pick)

  44. Someone Else

    From mlbtraderumors:

    “The Yankees have been getting calls on Carl Pavano. One unconfirmed rumor has the Mets interested.”

    LOL!

  45. jimmy 27

    This (manny trade watch) is like waiting on a snowy morning to see if your school is closed.

  46. David Cone's Labrum

    From Will Carroll, tonight:

    “I’m hearing that a multi-team deal involving Jason Bay and the Florida Marlins is in the “final stages.” This could involve the previously in-place dealings involving Manny Ramirez as reported by our own John Perrotto. Joe Frisaro of MLB.com thinks that Bay could end up in Boston, Jeremy Hermida in Pittsburgh, and prospects flying every which way. My sources agree, though I will update as details become clearer”

  47. Blargh

    I still can’t believe Hawkins was traded…if the Astros waited longer, they could’ve just picked him off of the scrap heap for as close to free as it gets. Now they give up a prospect and assume at least part of his contract.

  48. David Cone's Labrum

    LAA up 5-2

  49. Someone Else

    If you were the Marlins, wouldn’t you rather deal for Bay directly than for Manny?

  50. hmmm

    “With all the talk of compensation picks and how valuable they are, im assuming Latroy wouldnt have been a Type B free agent. Is this correct???”

    yes, it is correct.

    Hawkins will not be a Type B. there will be no picks for Hawkins.

  51. Rubin-Jon Kruk should never be allowed to speak publicly again!

    I have a feeling there will be another Washburn rumor somewhere, or maybe a rumor linking us to another starter, meanwhile Cashman finalizes a big deal. It always seems to happen, a rumor linking us to another player is a smokescreen to another deal.

  52. Dr. J

    *washburn

  53. jimmy 27

    Re Angels: Hell is coming to breakfast

  54. DFox

    Josh Beckett’s era is in trouble!

  55. SJ44

    TK,

    From what I understand, whatever the teams record that signs Pudge is what affects what picks the Yankees receive.

    Now that he is the Yankees property, Detroit is now out of the equation.

    They will offer him arbitration, IMO. It will either be a wink, wink deal with Boras (meaning, he will refuse and the Yankees get the picks. This happens often in the game) or, if he is playing well, likes NY, and Posada can’t catch anymore or is going to be out for a portion of next season, he will return.

    Either way, its an upgrade to the catching position and it gives the Yankees a variety of future options.

    Can’t ask for anymore than that.

  56. hmmm

    man, what on earth are the Astros doing?

    even if the prospect is nothing, it doesn’t really matter: what’s the point?

  57. Phil

    Dr. J

    I think it will be some stealthy surprise rather than the overly drawnout Washburn play.

  58. TKinDC (have you hugged a prospect today?)

    ““The Yankees have been getting calls on Carl Pavano. One unconfirmed rumor has the Mets interested.””

    I knew we should have gotten an unlisted #! :)

    I don’t understand why Boston doesn’t tough out this last year with Manny, exercise the option and trade him to an NL team.

    This is what we did with Acid Sheff – worked out ok there.

    When they can control where he goes – they should. Just like GB and Favre.

  59. David Cone's Labrum

    Someone Else –

    I think one of the reasons for Florida to bring in Manny and not just deal for Bay, is to show to the fan base that the team means business – to push for a championship this year, fight for a ballpark, etc…

  60. Confucius

    “From Will Carroll, tonight:

    “I’m hearing that a multi-team deal involving Jason Bay and the Florida Marlins is in the “final stages.” This could involve the previously in-place dealings involving Manny Ramirez as reported by our own John Perrotto. Joe Frisaro of MLB.com thinks that Bay could end up in Boston, Jeremy Hermida in Pittsburgh, and prospects flying every which way. My sources agree, though I will update as details become clearer””

    Hmm, so which team gets Stanton and which gets Tucker? Stanton could be major trade chip for Boston.

  61. Chad Sexington

    I thought George Costanza forbade such dealings.

  62. TKinDC (have you hugged a prospect today?)

    SJ –

    Thanks – Someone was making (what I assume is) a valid point that if an arbitration eligible player goes to a team with a protected pick like Baltimore (1-15 I believe) then it affects the resulting compensation.

    Sometimes I wish I was a contract lawyer – most times – not at all :)

    The scenario above does ring true though – I appreciate any insight you could lend. (as always!)

  63. Confucius

    “From what I understand, whatever the teams record that signs Pudge is what affects what picks the Yankees receive.”

    If he’s signed by one of the top 15 teams in baseball, we get their first round pick. If he’s signed by one of the bottom 15, we get their second round pick. Either way, we also get a sandwich round pick.

  64. John H.

    Oh ok thanks jimmy 27. yeah, it does seem to get a little bit too much when he says that. Also, i cant believe he said that (that the Sox don’t deserve a player like him).

  65. SJ44

    The more you watch the Angels, the more you say that if the Yankees can go 5-5 in the 10 games they have upcoming with them, you take it and run.

    They are a very, very good team.

  66. Matt

    “I thought George Costanza forbade such dealings.”

    Nice Seinfeld reference there.

    On Hawkins, it’s amazing we got something for him. Now we need to get Betemit out of here and get a starter. Call up Gonzo to replace Betemit.

  67. John H.

    does that*

  68. Buzz

    6-2 angels

  69. John H.

    What has happened to Josh Beckett…?

  70. cwebzzz

    love how beckett is screwin up

  71. Buzz

    beckett… what ace?

  72. S.A.- I still believe in this team but this offense is offensive again.

    The Angels are scary good. Oy

  73. JR Yankees

    Marlins brass sayin Stanton is not going anywhere first off.

    I guess the Astros were nervous that the Twins were gonna sweep in and get Hawkins so they decided to trade.

  74. Buzz

    beckett era is 4.08

  75. Wiggum Fan

    http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/events/draft_report/y2007/tracker.jsp?mc=cusick

  76. bigjf

    “What has happened to Josh Beckett…?”

    He went back in time to 2006.

  77. TKinDC (have you hugged a prospect today?)

    “Either way, we also get a sandwich round pick.”

    That is after round 1 and before round 2 in this case, right?

  78. Buzz

    joe torre era is finished. It might be different this time

  79. Jessica

    Good to see beckett get back to back by rookies. =)

    On a side note, do you see all the drama coming out of boston with the manny ordeal. I think he has a point in his last comments to espn.

    http://www.boston.com/sports/baseball/redsox/extras/extra_bases/2008/07/manny_unloads_o.html

    I always pegged the red sux as a very cut throat organization that has no loyalty to their players. Once they see no use of them, they are quick to get rid of them. That’s probably the best way to do business, unlike how the Yankees sign 36 year old catchers to 4 year deals, but it just goes to show that they probably aren’t the best place to be as a player.

  80. ThecanoCannon (Second Half Record--9-3)

    when ortiz was told pudge was traded to yanks his jaw dropped and said wow

  81. Reality Check

    Meanwhile, Chase Wright (remember him?), recently promoted to AAA after Marte?Nady trade, has pitched 5 shutout innings, allowing just one hit. And remember he is a lefty. Maybe just an AAAA, but maybe not.

  82. Buzz

    we have 2 catchers that can throw guys out at a combine rate of 40% whos going to run against us now? that is a main reason we have a problem with the angels

  83. SJ44

    TK,

    Correct.

    Call me crazy but, I still think the Yankees are going to get a pitcher at the deadline. Only way they don’t is if the prices are absurdly high.

    Can’t see them going the rest of the way with Rasner, Ponson and rookies for the back end of the rotation the rest of the way.

  84. Bombshell

    And Varitek shows off some more allstar credentials.

  85. Blargh

    TKinDC: Ya

    Order goes 1st round, then Type A ‘Special Draft Choices’ (sandwich picks), then Type B ‘Special Draft Choices’, then 2nd round

  86. TKinDC (have you hugged a prospect today?)

    I am going to boldly predict that I shall never hear of Mr. Cusick again unless he is traded away.

  87. Confucius

    “That is after round 1 and before round 2 in this case, right?”

    Yes. Joba was a noteworthy sandwich pick that we got for Tom Gordon.

  88. Bombshell

    “Meanwhile, Chase Wright (remember him?), recently promoted to AAA after Marte?Nady trade, has pitched 5 shutout innings, allowing just one hit. And remember he is a lefty. Maybe just an AAAA, but maybe not.”

    Just keep him out of Fenway and he might work out.

  89. Rishi

    ThecanoCannon – is that true or are you replaying when we got abreu

  90. TKinDC (have you hugged a prospect today?)

    “Call me crazy but, I still think the Yankees are going to get a pitcher at the deadline. ”

    Unlike various knuckle-draggers – I won’t ever call you crazy :)

    Thanks Blargh too!

  91. Confucius

    “Chase Wright (remember him?)”

    Unfortunately, yes.

  92. John H.

    After watching a couple of Tigers games, it seems like Pudge is a fighter. All he needs to do is lay off the high heat.

  93. AlbanyYankee

    I was sitting at Fenway when Chase Wright gave up back-to-back-to-back-to-back HRs. Loudest place I’ve ever been. It was unbelievable. I’m not sure I could sit and watch him pitch against the Red Sox again. I’d have flashbacks like Ted Striker in “Airplane!”.

  94. Buzz

    wow redsox getting beat badly

  95. Reality Check

    Chase Wright update: 6 innings, 1 hit, 0 runs.

  96. Buzz

    “Chase Wright (remember him?)”
    I will never forget that game he pitched in fenway

  97. Marc from Portland Maine

    Anyone watching Comedy Central at Fenway? Gotta love it :)

  98. ThecanoCannon (Second Half Record--9-3)

    yea its true a boston reporter told ortiz in the clubhouse and ortiz jaw dropped the report just sayed it on espn 150

  99. Phil

    Beckett didn’t seem to have nasty breaking stuff tonight. We had some games against him like that where guys like Andy Phillips were taking him over the centerfield wall. Just not his night, and then the Sox lost their poise and started making errors. They’ll probably blame Manny.

  100. PittsburghYankeeFan

    Pavano and Betemit will somehow be spun into a starter. I don’t know how, but we have another 20 hours…

  101. PittsburghYankeeFan

    I am really interested in seeing how the Yanks stack up this year against the Angels…this isn’t Joe Torre’s team anymore.

  102. JR Yankees

    The Angels aren’t messing around anymore. They are going for the throat and we are next in line.

    I would be pleased going 4-6 in our 10 games with them.

  103. Ian

    Apparently Mike Jacobs just got pulled out of the game.

  104. Buzz

    youk made an error

  105. Confucius

    “I am really interested in seeing how the Yanks stack up this year against the Angels…this isn’t Joe Torre’s team anymore.”

    One thing’s for certain. They ain’t running on us.

  106. Buzz

    “Apparently Mike Jacobs just got pulled out of the game.”
    Boston doesnt need a first base maybe replace youk ?

  107. Zach

    It’s evident that Manny Ramirez has drawn the wrath of Boston’s ownership to the point of no return and they’re telling Theo Epstein to get the best deal possible and be rid of him.
    It’s easy to see in the demeanor of Gammoms who is clearly upset and a reflection of ownership.
    This is like a nagging dull toothache in the Boston clubhouse and it doesn’t appear that he has support of teammates any longer.

  108. Jon

    ian, was that a random, middle of the inning pull?

  109. Andrea

    Chase Wright really was not bad. he pitched well before the game at Fenway and pitched well a few games later in the minors after he got some of his confidence back.

    why so much Chase Wright hate?

  110. Buzz

    is JAcobs injuired?

  111. JR Yankees

    I wouldn’t read into the Jacobs thing too much. He usually gets pulled in late innings because Cantu is a hack in the field at 3B so he gets moved to 1B and then somebody, Amezega in this case, replaces Cantu at 3B for defensive purposes.

  112. Jon

    they pulled jacobs before the 6th inning started, all the outfielders are still out there though

  113. Ian

    No idea just watching the box score.

  114. Jon

    god i love the trade deadline

  115. george

    i’m shocked Hawkins has value.

  116. Vince

    I would like just 50 cents for every expletive used tonight as Socks fans file out of the Green Sardine Can.
    The Manny thing and a sweep by the Angels will have them boiling mad.

  117. Reality Check

    Melancon in for first AAA inning. 1-2-3. All ground balls.

  118. michelle(long time reader, Not so Seldom Poster) I Love It's Its

    chase wright of back to back to back o back fame….

    and i read that stanton is def. NOT included in the deal for manny.

  119. DV

    Cashman is my hero, dumping Farnsy and Hawkins in the same day and getting Pudge, Nady and Marte ?? WOW….just flippin WOW !

  120. flash

    jacobs might go to giants for molina that is what rotoworld says

  121. flash

    pavano to mets hahhahaahahha

  122. Chris NY

    Looks like Cusick is from the same town as Phil Hughes…

  123. GreenBeret7

    People seem to forget that Chase Wright won his first game with the Yanks and wwon two of his three ML games (2-0) and was basically just out of high A league (Tampa) with just a handful of AA starts. Until those home runs in the 3rd inning and two outs, he had a no hitter going. Fenway is no place to pitch a rookie left hander with so little experience.

  124. BigV
    • Why this was a great little trade*****

    1) We had absolutely nobody at Single A advanced at 2nd base. Cusick is a 2nd baseman with power and a some speed – he will compete with Sublett for this spot in Advanced A next year. I suspect he goes directly to Advanced A right now.

    2) WE unloaded a player that was going nowhere instead of
    keeping him on the roster.

    3) It shows the world we aren’t messing around and we got a nice player for basically nothing.

    4) It shows the Mariners that a quality lower level prospect is better than nothing and paying big bucks for it.

    BRING UP MELANCON

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