Acquire Dan Miceli from Yanks (who were in process of sending him down), for cash considerations or player to be named later. Decent trade. Seems like Hunsicker felt the need to make a move of any sort. Munro, Stone, and Saarloos have all been extremely unreliable this season in my opinion, so, adding another arm to the bullpen can't hurt.
I like the trade for the reasons mentioned above, plus the fact that Miceli has World Series experience from his days in San Diego. Adding an experience-laden veteran certainly couldn't hurt.
07/29/2003 3:57 PM ET Astros acquire Miceli from Yankees Club adds veteran right-hander to bullpen Houston Astros Press Release Get tickets HOUSTON -- Astros General Manager Gerry Hunsicker announced today that the club has acquired righthanded pitcher Dan Miceli from the New York Yankees in exchange for a player to be named later or cash considerations. The 32-year old Miceli is 1-3 with one save and a 4.02 ERA (18ER/40.1IP) in 34 combined games with Colorado, Cleveland, and the Yankees this season. He was 0-2 with a 5.66 ERA (13ER/20.2IP) in 14 games for the Rockies, who released him on May 11. He joined the Indians on May 15 and was acquired by the Yankees on June 25 along with outfielder Karim Garcia in exchange for a player to be named later. In 20 combined American League appearances between Cleveland and New York, Miceli was 1-1 with a 2.29 ERA (5ER/19.2IP). Miceli has pitched in parts of 11 Major League seasons with eight teams (Pittsburgh, Detroit, San Diego, Florida, Colorado, Texas, Cleveland, and the Yankees) and is 34-41 with 33 saves and a 4.73 ERA (285ER/542.2IP) in 482 career appearances. He helped the Padres to the 1998 National League championship with a 10-5 record and a 3.22 ERA (26ER/72.2IP) in 67 games, leading all NL relievers in victories. In eight postseason appearances in 1998, Miceli was 1-1 with a 3.18 ERA (2ER/5.2IP), including 1.2 scoreless innings in three World Series appearances. To make room for Miceli on the roster, the Astros will make a corresponding roster move following tonight's game at Atlanta.
The Yankees are the team that is looking for relief pitching, and they place Miceli on waivers. Something is not adding up. The Yankees do not get rid of contributors during a playoff run. They even traded Mondesi after weeks of trying to get rid of him. Hopefully Miceli will turn out as better than the last Yankee the Stros got, Jose Vizcaino.
