Astros acquire Greinke, Biagini, Sanchez in multiple trades today
The Houston Astros made three trades today in advance of the Major League Baseball trading deadline. In the headliner, the Astros acquired six-time All-Star RHP Zack Greinke from Arizona in exchange for four minor league players: RHP J.B. Bukauskas, RHP Corbin Martin, OF Seth Beer and IF Joshua Rojas. In a separate deal, the Astros acquired RHP Joe Biagini, RHP Aaron Sanchez and minor league OF Cal Stevenson in exchange for OF Derek Fisher. Additionally, the club sent C Max Stassi to the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for minor leaguers OF Rainier Rivas and OF Raider Uceta. The announcements were made by Astros President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Jeff Luhnow.
Greinke, 35, an All-Star this season, has gone 10-4 with a 2.90 ERA (47ER/146IP) in 23 starts for the Diamondbacks in 2019. Prior to his start today, he led the National League in WHIP (0.94), trailing only new teammate RHP Justin Verlander (0.81) for the Major League lead. Greinke also ranks second in the NL in innings pitched, sixth in ERA and seventh in opponent batting average (.224). A 16-year Major League veteran, Greinke owns a lifetime 197-122 record and a 3.36 ERA in 477 games (436 starts). He has two additional years on his contract and won’t be eligible for free agency until after the 2021 season.
Biagini, 29, made 50 relief appearances for the Blue Jays this season, posting a 3-1 record with 12 holds and a 3.78 ERA (21ER/50IP) with 50 strikeouts in 50.0 innings pitched. He’s worked primarily as the Blue Jays set up man, pitching 41.1 of his innings in the 7th, 8th or 9th frames. Biagini has pitched in parts of four seasons in the Majors, making 203 appearances for the Blue Jays, including 22 starts.
Sanchez, 27, has made 23 starts for the Blue Jays this season. An All-Star in 2016, Sanchez pitched two injury-shorted campaigns the last two years before returning to health in 2019. A first-round pick by the Blue Jays in 2010, Sanchez has made 146 Major League appearances in his career, posting a 32-33 record and a 3.96 ERA.
Stevenson, 22, was hitting .298 (100x336) with a .388 OBP and 50 RBI in 90 games for Class A+ Dunedin this season. Both Rivas and Uceta are 18-year old, left-handed hitting outfielders and were playing for the Rookie-level Arizona League Diamondbacks.