I can’t remember how frequently I was posting at the time. I recall being against the trade when it was being speculated but warming up to it once the deal had been made.

“hamilton has lotsa upside. not sure what you can get with him.

if we’re lucky, a .290 average and 30 homers.”

I’ll admit, I didn’t see EV doing what he’s done, but I’m only somewhat suprised by Hammy so far. I still like the trade.

because I was on vacation at the time, and just read about it in the newspaper.

Initially I was only so-so on the deal. I was a big Volquez fan, and hated to see him go. At the same time, I was convinced that the Rangers had to do more about their outfield than their pitching.

I didn’t see either of these guys doing what they have done though – I thought EV would be a successful #3 type pitcher with some good games and some bad games. And I thought Hamilton would be an improvement but certainly not an all-star…

Very interesting, thanks for taking the time to gather that info.

how angry I was at first, because I was a HUGE Edinson believer, but then about 10 minutes later I started liking it as a good need-for-need based trade with some risk/reward on both sides, which it has turned out to be.

Hamilton is currently my favorite player ever. There’s nothing I don’t like about him. I mainly like his playing abilities of course, but I’ve also always wanted to see a superstar who shares my belief system, and wouldn’t you know, he has now come along and happens to play for my Rangers. He’s great in every way so far, knock on wood.

longhorn didn’t exactly do so well on his prediction of Hamilton

I’ll see if there were any fun comments in the then diaries about the trade. Because there are always other threads started before and/or after AJM/Z get theirs up on the main page.

after seeing him go back to AA and AAA and actually do well I was suprised to see him get traded. When I saw the prize, former number 1 draft pick Josh Hamilton, I was happy. I thought, okay, high risk trade that could potentially be a disaster for both, great for both, or very lopsided. Of course I hoped for either the first or second choice.

I also remember thinking okay, Jonny Boy has addressed a big time need, but did he pay a high price in Volquez? I was scketchy at first.

I love Hammy, way more than my man crush on Mike Main or “The Murph”. I think Im gonna get me my first jersey, a Josh Hammyton.

So B+, a good grade? Might be pretty light.

He never equivocates, and you’re never left wondering what his exact feelings are about a certain subject.

Is it to rub people’s noses in the fact that they appear to be wrong now?

I’m Dustin, and I don’t know why it’s so “interesting” that my old account is no longer available. Since you’re so interested, I’ll just say that I wasn’t hanging around a lot during the switchover and also didn’t - and still don’t - like this 2.0. I figured it was easier to make a new account. It had nothing to do with my opinion about Josh Hamilton/Edinson Volquez, that’s for sure.

Anyway, I didn’t realize Hamilton was going to be THIS good. I’m happy to be wrong about it. But it still sucks to lose Volquez. Here were my thoughts on it:

I come back from Christmas and Edinson Volquez has been traded. That sucks. I like Hamilton, sure, but I was never down on Volquez like a lot of you were at one time…ever since I’ve seen him pitch I’ve known he’s had something. The guy’s going to have a lot of success in MLB.

Hamilton? I’ve followed his story like everyone else here. My concern is that heavy drug abuse wreaks havoc on the body. There’s no question he has a lot of talent. If the trade were based purely on talent I’d call it a draw because Volquez, I believe, is underrated in that department.

I’m not in favor of this trade and am souring on Daniels. I realize they need a centerfielder, but with Young, Danks, and now Volquez gone they sure have given up a lot of high-upside pitchers. They apparently think they have more pitching depth than they actually do.

The Rangers have given up a lot of high upside pitchers and they’re dead last in the AL in pitching. And that’s with both Padilla and Millwood performing pretty well. The relief corps has thrown by far the most innings in the league. This team needs starting pitchers who give them innings, but they seem to enjoy trading them away. Was there nobody else in the system they could’ve given the Reds for Hamilton??? Hurley, for example? I knew Volquez was going to be good. Real good.

In spite of that, I’m obviously on board with the trade now. Hamilton has played everyday, and leads the league in all triple crown categories. He plays a premium position very well. So at least they got some serious value in return. I’d just like to see them develop some pitching. The team might be on a roll right now, but they’re going nowhere in the end. It’s a long season and if your bullpen is continually overworked it’ll catch up to you.

because i remember being very nervous about the deal. i get excited/optimistic about every deal (except the Padres one, that just made me sad), but i was definitely nervous about this one.

Hamilton just hit another HR as I wrote this. Mind=Blown.

So far it looks like EV has turned into that ace that I feared could happen. I don’t think he can continue to pitch like he has though. I really did like EV and was sad to see him go.

However I didn’t realize that Josh Hamilton was going to come over here and do his best Willie Mays impersonation.

It’s hard to grade a trade before watching the players play for a couple years. I think our initial reactions show that. I would have a hard time seeing anyone give this trade anything less than a B+ now. As for myself, now I give it an A.

http://www.lonestarball.com/2007/12/21/17229/434

For those who say Im always negative, here is a link to my first comment

http://www.lonestarball.com/2007/12/21/17229/434#2596401

What I remember most is how shocked I was, the most shocked since one year earlier when I first heard about the Danks-McCarthy trade. Now I just expect Daniels to pull off a total shocker annually during the week before Christmas.

I vividly remember also the rule 5 draft when Hamilton was selected. I really wanted him to succeed just because of his story. I remember thinking it would be nice if he could be an adequate outfielder for a couple of years and have a few nice moments, but whoa, he’s gone way beyond that.

“I uneasily endorse this trade. That is to say, my anxiety about Volquez becoming a quality rotation figure is slightly higher than about Hamilton washing out. It’s a risky play for both teams. Texas just traded its third young and promising starter in three years, but Hamilton could become the best centerfielder in franchise history.”

I don’t think I voted at the time, but I probably would’ve voted “B.”

i was wrong, and I’m effing thrilled about it.

I finally hit on one:

“I’ll Miss Volquez…:but I’m hiiiiighly intrigued by Hamilton…he could be a Grady Sizemore type for us, no?

as for who fills his role, that’s even more exciting – we could see Hurley, but I doubt it – I bet we’ll see Galarraga for a month or two, and if he loses the reigns, we’ve got some intriguing names coming in behind – Rupe if healthy, Loe could always get another shot, Mendoza, then Hurley

one thing is for sure…our offense just improved dramatically on paper, Hamilton fills a weak position in CF, Bradley is our best outfielder by a long shot, and their offense makes this team a little bit more interesting when it comes to scoring runs…let’s hope for health!”

I don’t think it’s a stretch to say Hamilton and Bradley have been our best, most consistent offensive threats…although I’d throw Kinsler in at a close 3rd…

i called him a platoon. guess i’ll stick to critiqueing players i actually watch. btw, i thought i called volquez our carmona.

but I went back searching for my earliest comments on hamilton, before the deal was done. included is a conversation where I say i think volquez for hamilton would have to be an instantly done deal but was probably unrealistic from our side.

longhorns reply-

“that would be a horrible deal. Plus, it would have to be Hamilton + prospect for Volquez. I love it how we always undervalue our players and overvalue other’s…”

http://www.lonestarball.com/2008/3/18/101725/901

Most optimistic?

or the better question: whats his new name?

But I remember thinking that we already had a crowded outfield and was very frustrated by this deal.

I don’t know why, but I thought Marlon Byrd would be a solid center fielder for us (offensively and defensively) this year, and figured an outfield of Murphy in left (occasionally rotating to center and right), Byrd (occasionally rotating to left when Murphy went to center) and Bradley in right (Murphy switching to right when Bradley DH’d) with Cat as our fourth outfielder, and Botts as an emergency left fielder made a lot of sense.

I thought Botts just needed more time in the majors to adjust here, and that rotating him between 1B, LF, and DH would work great. I did not understand the Broussard signing, and still don’t. As bad as Botts played for us before he got DFA’d, I thought we should’ve given him 1B and maybe signed a vet as an emergency backup (although Cat also fits in nicely here).

Goes to show what I know. I have to say, I’m happier about our batting order now than I have been in years, maybe ever. I hope the plate discipline approach really sticks with this team—I’ve always felt that taking extra pitches helps you out on days when the offense doesn’t rake, and it’s nice to see that borne out thus far this year.

I still have questions about how long Hamilton will hold up but damn! I guess those guys who make the big bucks to put ballclubs together do know something…

I didn’t hate it, either, and I’m still not a fan of it. I’d describe myself as nuetral, leaning towards dislike.

I prefer to just be excited about how awesome Beasticon is, though, and not think about the trade. We won’t know who won for several years, anyway.