Chris Burke Demoted; Trade Next?

This afternoon, the Astros made the tough decision to demote CF/2B/LF Chris Burke to Triple A.  With Craig Biggio and Hunter Pence playing every day, and Mark Loretta hitting .375, the Astros preferred to send Burke down to play more consistently.

Burke will report to Round Rock within his three day limit, but his comments suggest he wouldn't mind a trade:

"I'd like to play in the Major Leagues for somebody.  Hopefully it will be [Houston], but I don't know what will happen. [Going elsewhere] is obviously something I have no control over. I just want to play."

Burke, now 26, set a career high with 366 ABs for the Astros last year.  He began the year as the Astros' starting center fielder but has already been supplanted by hot prospect Pence.  Last year, Burke had a strong first half (.298/.376/.483) and became a full-timer in June.  He didn't show much power after that, and finished on a low note with a .583 OPS in September.

Burke still carries a pretty strong PECOTA projection (.278/.348/.452).  Looking at his comparable players list, Robby Thompson appears to be Burke's upside.  He was the 10th overall pick in '01 as a shortstop.  Burke eventually moved to second base before the '04 season.  He made a lot of top prospect lists after posting a .912 OPS in Triple A that year.  He was given a shot in '05 but didn't hit much. 

It should be noted that Burke had shoulder surgery last October, and his slow start could be related. I think plenty of teams would show some interest in a versatile, cheap player with a decent pedigree.  The Mets could consider him for some additional help at second base, or the Marlins could pursue him to play center field.

Comments

[russell]

Joe Smith for Chris Burke. Wow that was easy lets make it happen.

[astrosfanfromNY]

Not a bad first thought

[jabmets]

joe smith is one of the mets best relievers. Burke just got demoted, mets dont have to give up a top arm for him. Maybe a vargas would work?

[jatorres]

(i may be the only diehard astros fan to say this, but bench biggio and run loretta out in second)

if burke gets dealt, which i'm a little neutral on, i really hope it's for some starting pitching. either way, i think it might be a little too soon to start thinking a trade. once biggio hits 3000, burke should get all the playing time at 2nd

[boomshwa12]

i think only diehard stros fans would actually say that.

i agree 110% w/ you. burke should have been starting at second regularly since last summer. biggio's pursuit of 3000 hits would be a lot more meaningful if he could still actually play well.

having that said, drayton mcclane has a man-crush on him so he starts at second. we could probably trade a comination of burke, lidge and maybe a prospect for a decent pitcher. noah lowery maybe?

[JerseyMetFan]

No way in hell I trade Joe Smith for Burke. Maybe Vargas or Burgos, but not Smith.

[boomshwa12]

or one of the white sox starters? if the dodgers are still shopping brad penny that would be a helluva coup for anyone looking for a starter

[JerseyMetFan]

Now that I think about it, Burke is the PERFECT replacement for Newhan, who is sucking bigtime. Backup OF and IF.

[WHIPit]

He's their 2basemen of the future, they will NOT trade him. Biggio's gone after this year and Loretta's not a long term option. That being said, there's just no room for Burke right now.

Loretta NEEDS to be starting soon, he's hitting around .380 and was an All-Star last year. Only Phil Garner (and Biggio) would keep this guy on the bench. Biggio's not doing bad, but Loretta is better.

If the Astros were to trade somebody, it should be Ensberg. His defense doesn't make up for the "deer-in-the-headlights" look at the plate. Platoon Loretta and Lamb at 3rd and enjoy the spike in SLG%.

As for trading Lidge, too late IMO. He should have been traded in the offseason at the LATEST. You've got to stick with him now and hope for the best.

They'll make SOME kind of a move for a SP sans Roger "The Grandstander" Clemens. I'd like to see Buehrle or Vasquez in an Astro uni.

[jmonahan7]

What about the Nationals? They could package Burke with a few prospects for Chad Cordero once hes off the Bereavement List.

[WHIPit]

...and who would play 2B next year?

[astrosfanfromNY]

jonny Ash, Brooks Conrad, Eric Bruntlett, or Mark Loretta (since we signed him for 2 years)

[native_astro]

To the nationals for Cordero....? That makes no sense what so ever! Loretta is only signed for this year. If the Astros were and I mean were to trade him it would have to be for a young starter. I dont think he's going to get traded unless he demands a trade.

[mitch4ya]

Loretta only has a one year contract, we don't want Cordero either. I don't know if the Stros should trade Burke or not but he is expendable and we could always resign Loretta for next year. The Stros haven't been hitting the ball with runners on this year, pitching has not been the problem. Trade Ensberg/Lidge/Burke for a decent hitting 3rd basemam!!!

[WHIPit]

"jonny Ash, Brooks Conrad, Eric Bruntlett, or Mark Loretta (since we signed him for 2 years)"

LOL
The first 3 are not every day ML 2Bmen, sorry; and Loretta is signed for ONE year.

[moebarguy]

What's his defense like (at 2B)?

[Sunny Reiser]

Chris Burke would make a helluva super-utility guy for the Mets, and/or a possible long-term stater at second.

And at his age, they'd get a heckuva lot more production from him long-term than Valentin/Easley/Newhan/Woodward/McEwing, et. al. He's got all of the skill sets of the above and then some, and is much younger and a much better hitter and all-around player than any of them.

If Omar can get him for a reasonable price, I would make that deal in a heartbeat.

[native_astro]

I think you nailed it..."at a reasonable price." The Astros aren't going to just let him go! They're going to want a young arm or a young bat. So I wouldn't be surprised if the Astros asked for Milledge or a young arm like Pelfrey. I don't think a deal gets done...Astros aren't going to just give him up and the asking price will be too much for the Mets.

[boomshwa12]

what about sending him to the braves with a prospect for their young catcher, salty. the braves wouldn't do it straight up, but he'd look really good as an astro. the braves could start burke at second and move kelly johnson back to left field.

and who's to say conrad couldn't play in the big leagues? his stats have been pretty good at AAA. i'm sure they could resign loretta for another year if they wanted to as well.

[native_astro]

Do you mean Jarrod Saltalamacchia....that would be a good trade....something like Burke/Humberto Quintero for Jarrod Saltalamacchia/and a mid level pitching prospect. I think Conrad would be a great addition to the team in a year....I agree that the Astros should re-sign Loretta for another year.