Diamondbacks deal for Haren, trade Valverde

The Diamondbacks just strenghthened their starting rotation after they made an 8 player deal. The A's sent Dan Haren and minor-leaguer Connor Robertson to Arizona in return for Carlos Gonzalez, Brett Anderson, Dana Eveland, Greg Smith, Chris Carter, and Aaron Cunningham.

Arizona wasn't done, in a move I found suprising, they sent 2007 NL Save Leader and closer Jose Valverde to Houston for Chris Burke, Chad Qualls, and Juan Gutierrez.

Is Houston tearing their entire farm system apart and they didn't tell anyone? Traded 5 minor leaguers for Miguel Tejada, then 3 more players for Jose Valverde? I guess Kevin Towers isn't the only GM ripping other teams off anymore.

Astros close to a deal for Tejada?

According to radio reports from a Houston sports radio station (790 AM), the Astros could be on the verge of a deal for Orioles' shortstop Miguel Tejada. The Astros would send Adam Everett, Chris Burke and a pitcher to Baltimore.

Ken Rosenthal checked in and confirmed the 2 sides had talked, but were not close to a deal before both sides departed Nashville.

Astros shopping Chris Burke

Now that the Astros have locked down 2nd baseman Kaz Matsui, the Astros could look to deal Chris Burke, according to Brian McTaggart of the Houston Chronicle. Said Astros GM Ed Wade "I've had some conversations with Barry Meister, his agent, and I told him if an opportunity presented itself and we get a chance for Chris to get to another club that would help his chances of playing on a regular basis, we would try to do that," said Wade, who arrives in Nashville, Tenn., today for the winter meetings.

Burke thought he would get a chance at the job after long time Astro, Craig Biggio, retired at the end of last season.