After playing footsie on a deal for several days, the Phillies and Astros consummated the long-discussed deal to send Hunter Pence to Philadelphia, per Bob Brookover.
The price is steep, and is still not fully known. Nineteen year old first baseman Jonathan Singleton, and RHP Jarred Cosart, both Top 50 prospects. plus two minor league players to be named.
Whether the move will pay off remains to be seen, but Pence still likely represents at best a moderate upgrade over the player he's probably replacing, Domonic Brown.
Cosart has electric stuff but there have been legitimate health concerns. Singleton isn't having a great season, but he's the youngest player in his league and is holding his own in the pitcher-friendly Florida State League. Again, a steep price for a good big league player, but not the utter fleecing that we all feared earlier this afternoon when Domonic Brown was rumored to be part of the deal.
Pence is a solid Major League player, and could go on a nice run for the Phillies as they play their way toward October. But expecting the new guy to be the Missing Piece Who Fixes Everything is too much to ask.
The devil is in the details with the players to be named later. Stay tuned for more...