Chris Wallace Traded To Cleveland

2010 Greeneville Astro Chris Wallace has been traded to the Cleveland Indians in exchange for LHP Eric Berger. It is reported that Wallace will head to AA Akron.

Jeff Luhnow has added catching depth to the organization in recent years. He obtained Carlos Perez in the 10 player trade with the Blue Jays last summer and then added Max Stassi in the trade with the A's this February. Stassi started the year on the DL but should be ready to go soon.

Wallace had only appeared in one game for the RedHawks (AAA) this season as a DH. The catching had been done by Jason Jaramillo and Cody Clark. AA catching is currently filled with Perez and Rene Garcia. Wallace was essentially a catcher with out a team. When you add Stassi's return to the mix (expected at AA), there were too many catchers.

 Akron's catcher situation was dire because of the trickle down effect of injuries at the major league level. 

By the end of the game, what had first appeared to be a break for Cleveland native Alex Lavisky, seemed more like a cruel joke.

The dire catching situation for the parent club Indians (Lou Marson was placed on the disabled list with a neck strain and Carlos Santana injured his left thumb in Monday’s home opener) had dominoed into the opportunity for the Aeros back up catcher to make his second start of the season.

Aeros starting backstop Roberto Perez was called up to Triple-A Columbus after the Clippers lost two catchers in Yan Gomes and Omir Santos, both being called up to Cleveland.

That article was writen on the 9th. Yesterday, the Aeros placed Lavisky on the 7 day DL.  They needed catching help badly.

Likewise, the Astros also need arms in AAA due to their staff being depleted by injuries at the major league level. Berger has bounced between AA and AAA the last three years. So he will likely be given the chance to fill the depth at AAA.

Cartwright Traded

Today, Albert Cartwright was traded from the Astros to the Phillies. The Astros have added depth at the middle infield positions last year through the draft & through trades. Cartwright was the oldest of the prospects at 23. The other prospects who are vying to get to Houston include the following (age at the start of next season):

Jose Altuve - (20) - will likely be in AA this year. Primarily a 2nd baseman

Jonathan Villar - (19) obtained in the Oswalt trade. Finished the year at Lancaster. Likely to repeat there but could move up to AA if Mier gets pushed to Lancaster. #3 in Baseball America's rankings of Astros' prospects

Jimmy Parades - (22) - obtained in the Berkman trade. Finished the year at Lex. Will likely be the 2nd baseman at Lancaster. #7 in Baseball America's rankings.

Jio Mier -(20) - 1st round draft pick 2009. Spent 2009 in as the SS in Lexington but struggled; likely to repeat. #5 in Baseball America's rankings.

Enrique Hernandez - (19) 6th round pick in the 2009 draft. Spent 2009 in Tri Cities and hit .287. Likely the 2nd baseman in Lexington next year, though he will be competing with our next prospect.

Delino DeShields - (18) 1st round pick in the 2010 draft. Hit .313 in a short stint in Greeneville but as a center fielder. I expect he will be sharing time with Hernandez in Lexington as he learns to play 2nd base. #2 prospect in Baseball America's rankings.

So to summarize, here is how I see the middle infields looking for AA, high A & A.

Corpus Christi -

2nd - Altuve
SS - Organizational player (possibly Wlad Sutil)

Lancaster -

2nd - Parades
SS - Villar

Lexington -

2nd - DeShields/Henriquez
SS - Mier

You can see where Cartwright was depth and not a top prospect. He was a 36th round draft pick and has been traded for a LHP who has a shot to help out in the bullpen at AAA or maybe in Houston. At this point, I would say this is a good trade for Houston. I would also wish Albert Cartwright the best of luck with his new team.