I really like the trade for Mike Leake, he is a great pitcher. He was the #2 guy behind Cueto for years in Cinci. He has the potential to be the #2 guy behind Paxton for the next few years. Yes I wish we acquired him a couple weeks ago, but maybe he wasn't on the market then. If he was, then that was a mistake by Dipoto not to go for him. Earlier in the year, he was one of the best pitchers in baseball, not sure what has happened to him the last month. Either way, I'm excited for him to join the rotation. Dipoto basically got a head start on an offseason priority. When we made the trade, one of the radio broadcasts was comparing him to Miley. Anyone who follows MLB (not the Mariners, but MLB), knows that Leake and Miley aren't even in the same category. Miley hasn't been good in years, and has been a back of the rotation starter. Leake is a guy who you can feel confident about when he takes the mound. I'm curious and excited to see what he can do tonight.
I'm not sure about the prospects Houston gave up, but I'm not sure we had the players to get Verlander. As bad as the M's have been, they still have some hope, but obviously they need to start winning now. Sweep the A's and then we will go from there. I think this move is more about next year than it is this year, if Dipoto truly wanted to win now he would have made a deal for someone like Leake a month ago.