From MLBTraderumors.com.  I have to say, I didn't see this one coming:

Astros Acquire Ron Mahay

According to Troy E. Renck of the Houston Chronicle, the Royals traded reliever Ron Mahay to the Astros for a player to be named later.  In an accompanying move, the Astros placed closer Brad Lidge on the 60-day Disabled List.

The 36 year-old lefty reliever is coming off of a successful 2007 in which he split time with Texas and Atlanta, posting a 2.55 ERA and logging 55 strikeouts in 67 innings.  While we would still want to hear the official word from the Astros' skipper, we'd be surprised if Mahay isn't among the candidates for the closer's role in Lidge's absence. 

As for speculation on who the Royals may receive in return as the PTBNL, both Humberto Quintero and Reggie Abercrombie have been mentioned as possibilities.

 

 

Posted on March 31, 2008 at 11:47 PM in Houston Astros, Kansas City Royals, Ron  Mahay | Permalink "

This doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me.  Quintero was recently DFA'd, so there was a good chance we could have just picked him up off of waivers, rather than give up Mahay for him.   Besides, with Olivo, do we really need another catcher?

As for Abercrombie, that would be a terrible option.  The only reason I could think we'd go to such drastic measures would be if DDJ's injury is worse than expected and Hillman doesn't have enough faith in Gathright to play center, and Abercrombie represents a warm body.

I really hope the player to be named is a prospect, because otherwise Moore just got hosed.