| Wandy Rodriguez is reportedly bound for the Steel City. (Getty Images) |
The Pirates have agreed to a deal for Astros lefty Wandy Rodriguez, CBSSports.com Insiders Danny Knobler and Jon Heyman report. MLB.com's Tom Singer originally reported that a trade was close.
On the season, Rodriguez, age 33, has a 3.79 ERA in 130.1 innings pitched. He's on his way to logging a sub-4.00 ERA for a fifth consecutive season.
Rodriguez is owed the remainder of a $10-million salary for 2012 and $13 million for 2013. The Pirates would also assume a $13-million option/$2.5-million buyout for 2014. Rodriguez's option becomes a player option in the event of a trade, so presumably he'll exercise it once the time comes.
Heyman reports that, since the Astros are sending cash along with Rodriguez, the Pirates will wind up owing $1.7 million for this season, $8.5 million for 2013 and $7.5 million for 2014 (assuming Rodriguez exercises option). Overall, the Pirates will pay Rodriguez $17.7 million over the life of his deal, while the Astros will pick up the balance.
As for Houston's end of things, they're receiving three prospects: left-handers Rudy Owens and Colton Cain and outfielder Robbie Grossman. Owens, 24, has 3.14 ERA in 117.1 innings for Triple-A Indianapolis this season, while Cain, 21, has a 4.20 ERA in 16 starts for High-A Bradenton. As for the 22-year-old Grossman, he boasts a career OBP of .379 across parts of five minor-league seasons.
It's not certain whom Rodriguez would replace in the Pirate rotation, although Kevin Correia seems the most likely candidate.
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