Ed Wade...Genius?

It's unlike me to post something that is under 2,000 words long, but last night's trade prompted me to add a perspective that only Astros fans can appreciate. In case you are living under a football-shaped rock or haven't been guilted into being a Twitter Twit, here's the deal:

Marlins trade Josh Johnson, Jose Reyes, Mark Buehrle, John Buck, and Emilio Bonifacio (and $4 million!) to the Toronto Blue Jays for...Yunel Escobar, Adeiny Hechavarria, Henderson Alvarez, Jeff Mathis, Justin Nicolino, and Jake Marisnick.

What?

Exactly.

Early rumors had the Marlins also receiving slugging young catcher J.P. Arencibia, but apparently no-hit Mathis was enough to satisfy their cheapskate front office. A couple of those fellows whose names you don't recognize actually are prospects. Nicolino is a LHP who will be a Middle of Rotation starter, Hechavarria is a defense-only shortstop, and Marisnick is a centerfielder who could be described here as George Springer, only without the same level of tools. All should be major league regulars, but I'm not seeing anybody promoting these guys as future All-Stars.

So, the premise of my post. Ed Wade is a genius. Sorry all of you who hate Ed Wade, but it's true.

Compare the trade above with this one:

The Astros trade Hunter Pence and cash to the Philadelphia Phillies for Jonathan Singleton, Jarred Cosart, Josh Zeid, and Domingo Santana.

So who got more return for their trade? Ed Wade traded one man and got three top-10 (arguably top 5) prospects. The Marlins traded five excellent major league players (four of whom, in my opinion, are more valuable than Pence) for three borderline top 10 prospects and spare change.

Go ahead and add in the next one:

The Astros trade Michael Bourn and cash to the Atlanta Braves for Jordan Schafer, Brett Oberholtzer, Paul Clemens, and Juan Abreu.

Ok, it's not quite as awe-inspring, but if one compares the cost to the reward, Ed Wade still comes out favorably when compared to the Marlins front office today.

So remember, Astros fans, as we slog through another losing season...things could be worse. Much, much worse.