Astros' Hunter Pence Pulled in 5th Inning, Traded to Philadelphia Phillies

If the 2011 Major League Baseball trade deadline has taught us anything, it's that things happen quickly.

One moment, you're reading on the computer that ESPN's Buster Olney is reporting that the Philadelphia Phillies are on the brink of acquiring Houston Astros outfielder Hunter Pence. And the next minute, you flip over to the Astros-Brewers game and see Pence in the dugout hugging teammates and saying goodbye because he's just been dealt.

That's the 2011 trade deadline for you.

Pence, the face of the woeful Houston Astros is out, and reports are that the Phillies have landed what they sought before this deadline, a right-handed hitting outfielder.

Fox Sports baseball writer Ken Rosenthal is reporting that the Phillies have traded their top prospect, outfielder Jonathan Singleton, pitcher Jarred Cosart and two future players to be named later.

With the move, the Phillies may have silenced the baseball writers across the country arguing that the San Francisco Giants were the team to beat after acquiring Carlos Beltran, the most sought after player in the 2011 trade deadline season.

The trade between the Phillies and Astros marks the second time in two years that both squads have exchanged proven players for a batch of rookies and prospects. Last season, the Phillies acquired Roy Oswalt in exchange for pitcher J.A. Happ, outfield Anthony Goose and shortstop Jonathan Villar.