Angels trade Hank Conger to Astros for C Carlos Perez and RHP Nick Tropeano

[bloodbrother]

So does anyone think Hank will start for the Astros?

 

Not unless they trade Jason Castro

[tdawg87]

Tropeano was pretty decent in his cup of coffee this year. Definitely a solid pickup and should jump over LeBlanc on the depth chart. Still need another starter though.

Perez seems like a throw in. Obviously Houston feels that Conger is better and they are probably right. For what it's worth he has thrown out 36% of baserunners in the minors.

[AngelsAndRamsFan]

I'm going to miss Conger. I still think he can develop into a good defensive catcher and a decent hitter (for a catcher).

[Broad Street]

DAT whip doooooeeeee

[T.G.]

Carlos Perez not to be confused with the crazy ex-Dodger/Expos pitcher...

[WallyWorld]

I love this trade. I enjoyed rooting for Hank, but he really wasn't doing anything here. Even if both these guys turn out to be busts, this was a good trade.

[LightTheHalo]

Conger's pitch framing wasn't enough to help C.J.

[Angel Oracle]

I like the Tropeano acquisition, but Iannetta had better get his defensive act together now.

[bloodbrother]

Clubhouse loses probably the most lively guy in it. Conger was probably the coolest dude to hang out with on that team. Seemed like a funny guy who was always having fun. I'll miss his antics, but baseball move wise, I like the deal

 

He's not much of an upgrade defensively over Iannetta. He's a good pitch framer but that's about it. With Iannetta providing the team with above league average offense at the catcher spot, they need a defensive minded backup to balance things out. No clue if this Perez guy they got will be their backup this season or not, but if he is, I hope his calling card is his work behind the plate

[Docwaukee]

Conger's pitch framing wasn't enough to help C.J.

trying to frame a CJ pitch for a strike is like trying to frame Mother Teresa for assault. 

[Reveille1984]

Not a bad deal, kind of a weird move for the Astros though.  They have a lot of catching depth in their system and they moved a cost-controlled back end starter for a backup catcher.... yeah.

 

Maybe they're higher on Hank coming around than we are. 

[xboom28x]

Tropeano sounds like the perfect prospect that can go up and down between minors and majors making spot starts and covering the first month of the season in the rotation if Richards isn't ready.

[Guest]

Conger's pitch framing wasn't enough to help C.J.

 

CJ's ERA was actually about one run worse with Conger compared to Iannetta this year. Most noteworthy difference is with Iannetta he was 9-1 in SB-CS, With Conger he was 3-6. 

 

Biggest difference in terms of cERA was Garrett Ricahrds, who had a 3.5 ERA with Iannetta and a 1.25 ERA with Conger. Conger is much better at blocking which is important when catching a hard throwing pitcher with a lot of movement. Iannetta tended to allow passed balls left and right.

[WallyWorld]

Not a bad deal, kind of a weird move for the Astros though.  They have a lot of catching depth in their system and they moved a cost-controlled back end starter for a backup catcher.... yeah.

 

Maybe they're higher on Hank coming around than we are. 

 

yeah I really don't get this from the Astros' perspective.

[bloodbrother]

Alden Gonzalez ‏@Alden_Gonzalez 3m3 minutes ago

.@JonathanMayoB3 on Perez: "Defense is his calling card and he has the catch and throw skills to defend in the big leagues right now.”

 

 

Well that sounds good enough for me

[xboom28x]

yeah I really don't get this from the Astros' perspective.

 

It looks as though the ones that hit from the left side aren't hitting all that well in the minors.

[WallyWorld]

It looks as though the ones that hit from the left side aren't hitting all that well in the minors.

 

so they needed one more? 

 

kidding (sort of).

[Angel Oracle]

The MILB stats that stood out for me about Perez are: a) career OBP of almost .360, and good throwing arm. 

 

If indeed his pitch framing is solid enough, maybe he is ready to catch 40-50 games at this level?

The pitchers will first need to get accustomed to how he works behind the plate in ST.   

[Oz27]

I think we probably won this, but it seems the Astros are taking a gamble on Conger's offensive upside coming through. That seems unlikely, since it never consistently has over several years now. Either that or they really like his pitch framing.

 

I like the strength in numbers option with the starting rotation though. Assuming Richards comes back healthy by opening day (or even if he's a few weeks late), by that point we'll have Weaver, Shoemaker, Wilson, Santiago, Tropeano and Rasmus to fill four rotation spots even if we don't sign anyone else, which we should. I'd be fairly confident we could fill the rotation to a reasonable standard with those guys, but I still think we should be looking for a third or fourth starter type on a short-term deal.

[ten ocho recon scout]

Tradez like this need to happen, but like said above, bummed to lose conger. Was an easy guy to like. Always seemed to do something funny, called a good game, seemed like a great clubhouse guy. Hope he clicks in houston.

[WallyWorld]

personal feelings about Conger aside, I don't know how anyone could not like this trade for the Angels. They gave up an easily replaceable back-up catcher and got back a young, cost-controlled SP with good minor league numbers AND another back-up catcher candidate. 

[Angelsjunky]

Good trade. Tropeano could be very useful this year.

[Jimmag]

Wish you the best Hank.

 

Like the trade.

[halobob]

Love Hank, love the trade even more.  No brainer for the Angels. 

[Tank]

The Astros are going to kick our ass in CERA

 

why, was mathis traded to houston also?