PADRES: Wolf sent to Astros for minor league pitcher

Towers insists that club won't initiate a fire sale

By DAN HAYES - Staff Writer | Tuesday, July 22, 2008 11:39 PM PDT ∞

The Padres traded their second veteran player since the All-Star break on Tuesday, sending pitcher Randy Wolf to Houston for a minor-league pitcher.

The club signaled, however, that there won't be a mass exodus of players before the July 31 nonwaiver trade deadline. Veteran pitcher Greg Maddux still could be moved ---- though likely only to the Los Angeles Dodgers ---- but general manager Kevin Towers said he won't deal closer Trevor Hoffman or any of the Padres' younger players this season.

Towers said teams have inquired about the availability of ace pitcher Jake Peavy, as well as shortstop Khalil Greene, third baseman Kevin Kouzmanoff, reliever Heath Bell and Hoffman. Towers, though, said any moves involving those players probably wouldn't happen until after the season.

"It's very doubtful anything happens with those guys," Towers said. "We will reassess at the conclusion of the season. ... We've had some people ask about Khalil, ask about Kouz, but we want to continue watching those guys. ... We had a couple clubs ask about Trevor, but we're not really entertaining moving Trevor at this time. Whenever Trevor decides to hang 'em up, I want it to be in a Padres uniform."

For Wolf, whose departure followed a trade that sent pinch-hitting specialist Tony Clark to Arizona by five days, the Padres received 26-year-old right-hander Chad Reineke.

Ranked as the No. 9 prospect in what is considered a weak organization by Baseball America, Reineke features a fastball in the low-to-mid 90s and a slider. The Astros have used the 6-foot-6, 210-pounder as a starter the last two seasons at Triple-A Round Rock, but his changeup has been inconsistent, which might leave Reineke's future in the bullpen.

"He's somebody we think has some upside," Towers said. "I think he has a chance with his size and arm strength. Hopefully, it's another (Scott) Linebrink deal."

Coming off arthroscopic shoulder surgery, Wolf signed a one-year, incentive-laden deal with the Padres last December for $4.75 million. The left-hander, who was 6-10 with a 4.74 ERA in 21 starts, has earned an additional $175,000 per start since his 11th start and would have earned an additional $750,000 if he reached 200 innings.

Wolf told the Associated Press he's excited about pitching for the Astros, who surprised many by making the trade since they are in fifth place in the National League Central, eight games below .500.

Astros general manager Ed Wade told AP he plans to use the remainder of 2008 to "get a foot in the door" with Wolf in case Houston tries to sign him for next season.

"(Wade) still believes in the Astros," Wolf told AP. "I think he still thinks there's a shot. With a little more than two months left in the season, there's an opportunity there he's trying to take advantage of. He's not giving up hope. I'm up for the challenge."

While a handful of teams expressed interest in Wolf last month, that market dried up as Wolf struggled and contenders Milwaukee (CC Sabathia), the Chicago Cubs (Rich Harden) and Philadelphia (Joe Blanton) found other pitchers to fill their needs. Towers said the Phillies ---- before the Blanton trade ---- and Astros were the most aggressive pursuers of Wolf.

Besides the fiscal incentive, Towers said trading Wolf made sense because it allows the Padres to evaluate other pitchers and it opens a spot in the rotation for Chris Young, who will soon come off the disabled list.

"This was probably the best match," Towers said. "I'm not going to lie. Certainly from a financial standpoint, we're going to save money. ... There are savings, but it gives us a chance to look at (Cha Seung Baek and Josh Banks) and (see) if we want to hang on to them past 2008. Other than two weeks of decent ball, where we got within eight games of .500, not a lot's been happening."

Clay Hensley will make Wolf's scheduled start on Thursday in Pittsburgh, according to Padres.com.

Contact staff writer Dan Hayes at dhayes@nctimes.com.