The only mitigating factor is that the cost wasn’t high. LJ Hoes was the fith-best prospect on Marc Hulet’s Orioles list going into the season, but he’s played in the corner outfield this year, and since he doesn’t have any power, and even his work on the basepaths is problematic, he just doesn’t fit the plate profile to be a major league right fielder. So he’s on the move again.
The Astros will also get a second prospect — Josh Hader has been discussed, but his medicals may or may not require a substitution — and that can always change things, and the value of the pick they receive is also hard to suss out completely, but continues the asset collection plan that Jeff Luhnow and his team have had in place.
John Sickels breaks down the prospects headed to Houston:
Hader is listed at 6-3, 160, but has gained size and strength since signing, boosting his fastball from 84-87 in high school to 88-94 in pro ball. His changeup is ahead of his slider and curveball at this point, but he's deceptive and he's made a huge amount of progress in the last 13 months. He still needs to sharpen up his command, but he's got a shot at being a mid-rotation starter if he refines his breaking pitches and control.. Even if that doesn't work out, his ability to cross-up lefties could be useful in the pen; he's held them to a .138 average this year...
Like Hader, Hoes was a local kid for the Orioles, drafted in the third round in 2008 from high school in Washington, DC. He's made slow but steady progress through the farm system, reaching Triple-A and the majors briefly last year and again this year. In 2012 he hit .300/.374/.397 for Norfolk; this year he's at .304/.406/.403. He is 0-for-4 in three major league contests.
Keith Law writes that the Astros got less than expected for Norris ($):
The Orioles' acquisition of Bud Norris gives them needed starting pitching depth, especially with Jason Hammel going on the DL on Wednesday, but also could help bolster their right-handed relief corps, if everyone comes back healthy and available. The Astros get a 4A position player, who gets on base, and a lottery-ticket lefty with arm strength but a long ways to go.
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