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Astros and Rockies In Game Of Brinksmanship Over Wandy

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My fellow citizens: let no one doubt that this is a difficult and dangerous effort on which we have set out. No one can foresee precisely what course it will take or what costs or casualties will be incurred. Many months of sacrifice and self-discipline lie ahead - months in which both our patience and our will be tested - months in which many threats and denunciations will keep us aware of our dangers. But the greatest danger of all would be to do nothing.

-- John F. Kennedy, Cuban Missile Crisis speech

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How appropriate to what Houston is doing this season.Kennedy was talking about fighting Communism. The Astros are rebuilding their roster. Both are filled with perils (though only one could actually cost people their lives).  Both are filled with high-pressure situations, gamesmanship and general misdirection.

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Which is precisely what I think is going on right now between the Rockies and the Astros. Houston GM Ed Wade wants something in return for Wandy. He also wants the Rockies to pick up his entire contract. They're willing to do one or the other. Wade wants good prospects and money and there is a timer on the whole thing.

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Will Wade get what he wants? One top player and a lesser pitcher (read; reliever) will probably get it done. From the sound of things, Wade expects Wandy to be in Houston for his next turn in the rotation. But, then again, Wade didn't anticipate Hunter Pence leaving town either, did he? Any posturing by Wade right now is just that, a way to gain leverage in negotiations without any. Wade can only deal with Colorado right now, so striking a deal will be tough.

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We shall see if anything gets done. But, as Kennedy said above, the real danger is in not doing anything at all. That's what got us in this mess to begin with.

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Images by eflon used in background images under a Creative Commons license. Thank you.