Hot Potato: Lance Pendleton

The Astros have claimed pitcher Lance Pendleton off waivers from the Yankees. The Yankees actually took Pendleton from the Astros, who got him in the rule 5 draft from the Yankees (who drafted him). I can't think of too many other examples of this hot potato that Pendleton has become for the Astros and Yankees. His career minor league stats are pretty impressive, a 35-26 record with a 3.36 ERA and a WHIP of 1.284. This year, the 27 year old pitcher made his major league debut with the Yankees, appearing in 11 games in relief, with no decisions and a 3.21 ERA. In his short time he registered a .2 WAR (Wins Above Replacement). A salary of $414,000, gave him a WASP (WAR and Salary Per, measures accomplishment compared to salary) of 2070, and one would think that would improve drastically given more time in the majors. This is a nice add for the Astros, and they need some pitching, one wonders if they will actually give him a real chance (even though he has done nothing to not deserve a real chance) or toss him back.