ASTROS ‘BIG WINNER’ AT TRADE DEADLINE

The Astros were the big winners at the MLB trade deadline.  The team made a number of move.

The biggest: Houston acquired starting pitcher Zach Grienke from Arizona for J.B. Bukauskas, Seth Beer and Corbin Martin—the teams numbers 3, 4 and 5 minor league prospects.

The ‘Stros boosted their bullpen earlier, picking up relievers Joe Biagini and Aaron Sanchez from Toronto for outfielder Derek Fisher.

The first deal of the day saw the team send utiltyman Tony Kemp to the Cubs for catcher Martin Moldonado, who was with the team last year.

The Grienke move gives Houston a dominating starting rotation with Grienke joining Justin Verlander, Gerritt Cole and Wade Miley.  Sanchez could take the #5 spot in the rotation—he led the American League in ERA in 2016.