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For many fans, the Huff deal simply proved to them that he had a pulse. Does he make this deal to alleviate some of the pressure on him?

Apparently, if he listens to guys like Justice and many people here, he will "make a move just to make a move." He ought to look back at the Huff move and conclude "Damn, maybe I should think twice about these mid-season desperation trades. I've already traded away potential players for a guy giving me a 676 OPS so far."

He ought to tell Drayton, who is also probably clamoring for a fix, that this team was built around "prospects," the term so many around here equate with nickels or something. He's ought to say to Drayton "Drayton. MLB teams are built through the draft, not at the July trading deadline. Biggio, Oswalt, Berkman, Ensberg, Burke, Lidge, and Qualls were all Astro prospects. Just think if past GMs had unloaded them? You wouldn't have made it to the World Series last year"

Interestingly, Justice said "General managers make their reputations at times like this." I'm afraid Purpura is going to feel all this stupid pressure and make his reputation as the guy who foolishly squandered the Astro's wealth. Justice also mentioned how teams might be interested in a Clemens/Pettitte package deal. He mentioned that as a negative, instead of the great opportunity it would be for the Astros: they could finally prey on other team's desperation and get a nice return on the essential meaningless last two months of their contracts.