Berkman's Replacement (?) Comes to Round Rock

Brett Wallace, the face of the Astros' future? Just maybe.

I know it’s blasphemous for an Astros fan to contemplate Lance Berkman suiting up elsewhere. He’s a god. But 24 hours ago, you could say the same for Roy Oswalt. But Oswalt’s gone, so I think it’s time we discuss the best thing that's happened to the 'Stros lately: Brett Wallace.

When the Astros traded Oswalt to the Philadelphia Phillies, there was little to celebrate as an Astros fan. Oswalt, a 10-year Astros veteran, was traded for pitcher J.A. Happ and two minor leaguers not many people have heard of. Not only that, but the Astros agreed to pay $11 million of the remaining $23 million Oswalt is owed through the 2011 season. It seemed like the Astros got hosed.

But a few hours after the trade, the Astros totally redeemed themselves. They traded one of the minor leaguers they obtained through the Philly deal, Anthony Gose (who?), for the Toronto Blue Jays’ minor-league first baseman Brett freaking Wallace … who’s on his way to Round Rock as we speak!

For those of you who don’t know, Brett Wallace is a stud. As it’s been reported by MLB.com and the Houston Chronicle, Wallace has been involved in three blockbuster trades over the past few years, once in the St. Louis/Oakland trade for Matt Holliday, again in the Philly/Toronto trade for Roy Halladay, and then (sort of) now for Roy Oswalt. He’s even got ESPN Columnist Bill Simmons’ freaking out about the trade for Wallace. (Simmons plays in an AL keeper league and owns Wallace, but now that Wallace is in the NL, he’s no longer valuable on Simmons’ team. The world weeps for Simmons.)

I wish I could write more intelligently about Wallace, but I’m still in refractory mode over this trade. Going to Round Rock Express games just got 10 times better.

Brett Wallace will make his first Round Rock home game appearance on August 4 vs. the Fresno Grizzlies.

Vs. Fresno: Wed.-Sat., Aug. 4-7, 7:05pm. Dell Diamond, 3400 E. Palm Valley Blvd., Round Rock. $6-30. www.roundrockexpress.com.

Update: Berkman was traded the Yankees today for right-handed pitcher Mark Melancon and infielder Jimmy Paredes so Wallace may not make an appearance at Round Rock this year at all. Bad new for us but good news for Wallace.