New Astros Zack Greinke, Aaron Sanchez, Joe Biagini and Martin Maldonado are welcomed to H-Town.
Looking confident and plush as they spoke at a podium, with owner Jim Crane watching from the back row of the room, the first-place Astros showed off the acquisitions they aggressively made before the trade deadline. Starting pitchers Zack Greinke and Aaron Sanchez, catcher Martin Maldonado and righthanded reliever Joe Biagini shined brightly on display in orange tops Friday.
The team is eager to play with their new toys, especially Greinke, the 35-year-old former Cy Young winner in his 16th season, who will start Tuesday against the Rockies at Minute Maid Park.
“Let’s go for it,” Crane said of his mentality at the deadline.
After 2019, Greinke is owed $70 million and under club control for the next two years.
“That put us right at the peak on the dollars this year and we’re gonna be a little tight next year, but we’ll deal with that next year,” Crane said.
Greinke could soften the blow for the Astros, if they do not sign starter Gerrit Cole in the offseason. Cole is expected to garner a massive contract.
“We had that in the back of our minds when we were making the decision on these players,” Crane said. “There’s always adjustments that can be made.”
Greinke, who in 2006 was diagnosed with social anxiety disorder, kept his answers short Friday. With him, the Astros have four starting pitchers ranked in the top 13 in ERA.
“It’ll be fun,” Greinke said. “There’s a good chance it’s the most talented team I’ve ever played with.”
Greinke will keep his No. 21. He was given a locker beside Justin Verlander’s.