The Chronicle reports today that the other player in the Stros’ probable trade of Richard Hidalgo is Mets’ right-handed relief pitcher, David Weathers. Here is what Baseball Prospectus says about Weathers:

Weathers can be a cheap, serviceable back-end piece of almost every team’s bullpen, fill 70 something innings, and not embarrass himself. There’s some value in that, but he’d be well-served to try and sneak onto a team with a bullpen in flux, steal 15-20 saves and then get someone to bite on him as a closer. Billy Beane would probably be willing to sign on for a cut of the proceeds from the subsequent free agent deal.

Weathers, who is 35 and a 14 year veteran, is earning $3,93 million this season. Hidalgo has been on the trading block for two years since he took a nosedive from a production standpoint after signing an absurdly overpriced contract on the heels of an outstanding 2000 season. Hidalgo is currently “earning” $12 million this season, and will be owed a $2 million buyout after the season because no team in their right mind would pick up his $15 million option for next season.
So, this proposed trade is a salary dump for the Stros for their mistake of grossly overpaying for Hidalgo. I think it is a mistake for the Stros to give up on Hidalgo, but there is no question that they badly overpaid him over the term of his current contract. Sometimes it’s easier for team management to trade a player rather than face their own mistakes.
UPDATE: The Stros and Mets pulled the string, as Hidalgo goes to the Mets for Weathers and minor leaguer Jeremy Griffiths, a 26 year old righthander who will begin in the Stros’ organization at AAA New Orleans. Griffiths is 5-2 with a 3.47 ERA in 13 starts for AAA Norfolk this season, allowing 63 hits while walking 29 and striking out 31. Here is Baseball Prospectus’ analysis of him coming into this season:

Griffiths managed to drop his walk and home runs allowed rate some last year, but NL hitters lit him up with a .328 batting average against. A pedestrian pitcher with a fastball that’s neither fast nor big on movement, the Mets’ 2004 season’s in big trouble if Griffiths gets those projected 15 starts.

Well, certainly not a great trade for the Stros by any stretch. However, a good trade for Hidalgo was a dream once the Stros overpaid for him after his great 2000 season.