The Houston Astros pulled off a trade deadline shocker on Wednesday, completing a deal for Arizona Diamondbacks righty starter Zack Greinke.
Houston gave up a package include prospects Corbin Martin, J.B. Bukauskas, Seth Beer, and Joshua Rojas in exchange for the All-Star starter.
It’s a heavy prospect load in order to acquire the eccentric righty, but Houston didn’t think twice about pulling the trigger on a deal that brings the franchise yet another front-line starter.
The Astros will now march towards the playoffs with a rotation that features former Cy Young Award winners Justin Verlander and Greinke as well as a three-time All-Star in Gerrit Cole. It’s an enviable pitching trio and one that no other team in baseball can match, at least on paper.
Greinke, who is now 35 years old, has been excellent this season. In 23 starts, he’s pitched 146 innings and has accumulated a 10-4 record with a 2.90 ERA. He’s been a master of control, walking only 21 batters while striking out 135.
The only possible worry that the Astros will now have upon acquiring Greinke is his fat contract. The right-hander has been worth every penny of it so far, but he’s still owed $70 million over the next two seasons.
For now, though, the Astros will simply revel in the fact that they’ve added one of baseball’s best players at the trade deadline as they attempt to win their second world series since 2017.
