ASTROS GET ACE GREINKE IN TRADE WITH D-BACKS
The Houston NEW YORK —
Astros have acquired ace Zack Greinke, adding another AllStar to a formidable rotation that already included Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole.
The AL West leaders got Greinke in a startling trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks for four minor leaguers on Wednesday. It came right before the deadline to complete deals to have players eligible for the postseason.
Greinke pitched five innings earlier in the day at Yankee Stadium, giving up two runs to New York. He is 10-4 with a 2.90 ERA this season.
The Astros won the 2017 World Series and lost the 2018 AL Championship Series to Boston. They loaded up again with the 35-year-old Greinke, getting a six-time All-Star and the 2009 AL Cy Young Award winner.
Greinke’s addition gives the Astros four starting pitchers with ERAs in the top 15 in the majors this year. Verlander is fifth with a 2.73 ERA, Greinke is ninth, Cole is 11th at 2.94 and Wade Miley ranks 14th at 3.06.
Tigers trade outfielder Castellanos to Cubs
The Chicago Cubs acquired outfielder Nicholas Castellanos from the Detroit Tigers for two minor league pitchers.
The 27-year-old Castellanos hit .273 with 11 home runs and 37 RBIs for Detroit this season. He’s played third base and in the outfield during his career and has been considered a liability defensively, but Castellanos gives Chicago a productive bat against lefthanded pitching.
Detroit received righthanders Paul Richan and Alex Lange.
Braves add closer Greene to bullpen
The Atlanta Braves have acquired closer Shane Greene from the Detroit Tigers for two minor leaguers.
The 30-year-old Greene went 0-2 with a 1.18 ERA and 22 saves this season for the rebuilding Tigers. Now he’ll have a chance to help Atlanta’s bullpen. The NL East leaders also added reliever Chris Martin this week in a trade with Texas.
Detroit receives left-hander Joey Wentz and outfielder Travis Demeritte from the Braves.
Mariners trade Leake to Diamondbacks
After shopping him during the offseason and re-intensifying those efforts in late May, the Mariners have finally traded veteran right-hander Mike Leake.
In a potential deal that was discussed during early June, the Mariners sent Leake and cash considerations to the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for infielder Jose Caballero. Leake, who lives in the Deer Valley suburb of Phoenix and played at Arizona State, was happy to waive his no-trade clause for a chance to go home.