The Houston Astros, who are the defending World Series Champions, improved their rotation on Tuesday just before the end of the Major League Baseball trade deadline. The Astros acquired Justin Verlander from the New York Mets.
Verlander, who is 40 years old, was with the Astros from 2017-2022 and helped them win a World Series a season ago. Verlander was 6-5, with a 3.15 earned run average this season.
He had thrown well recently, with a 1.69 earned run average over his last six starts. The Mets will take on Drew Gilbert, the Astros’ top prospect in the trade.
Verlander is the fourth Mets player to be traded in the last few days. Max Scherzer was sent to the Texas Rangers, closer David Robertson was sent to divisional rival Miami, and Mark Canha was shipped off to the Milwaukee Brewers.
There were questions about whether the Mets would take a serious look at trading their slugger Pete Alonso but ultimately chose to hold on to him.
What’s Next for Both Teams?
The New York Mets look to be closing up shop for the 2023 season. The Mets are in fourth place in the National League East with their 50-55 record.
The Mets are six games behind three teams for the final wildcard spot in the National League. This is a team that was supposed to be the runaway winner in the National League East.
For the Houston Astros, they got some much-needed help in the rotation. The Astros started Tuesday only ½ game behind the Texas Rangers in the American League West. Houston is 60-47 on the season.
Cardinals and Blue Jays Familiar With Each Other
The St. Louis Cardinals and Toronto Blue Jays were busy this deadline. The two teams made three separate trades.
First, the Blue Jays picked up reliever Geneis Cabrera, and then they added another reliever in Jordan Hicks before the deadline day deal of Paul DeJong, the shortstop, was traded over.
DeJong expects to get starts at shortstop, while Bo Bichette is out with an injury.
Lorenzen Heads to Philadelphia
Michael Lorenzen, who was an All-Star with the Detroit Tigers this season, was shipped off to the Philadelphia Phillies. The Phillies are making a run for one of the wildcard spots in the National League.
The Phillies from a season ago taught many throughout baseball that you just need to get into the postseason. Philadelphia will be a scary wildcard out with their roster if they can grab one of the three spots.
Rangers Get Pitching Help
Before the Astros made their move to get Verlander, the Texas Rangers, their top divisional rival, added two starting pitchers. The Mets sent Max Scherzer to the Rangers first, and then on Saturday, lefthander Jordan Montgomery joined the squad.
St. Louis also sent reliever Chris Stratton to the Rangers to help bolster the back end of the bullpen.
White Sox Shipping Pitching
The Chicago White Sox really got the trade deadline started last week as they sent Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez to the Los Angeles Angels. The Angels had just announced they would keep Shohei Ohtani and not sell, adding some much-needed pitching.
Then, after those deals went down, the White Sox sent Lance Lynn and Joe Kelly to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers did not make a huge splash like many felt they would do, but they did get two pitchers that should help the roster.
The Dodgers also added shortstop Amed Rosario from the Cleveland Guardians. That deal sent Noah Syndergaard to Cleveland in return.
Angels Landed Offensive Depth
Sticking with the American League West and their busy trade deadline, the Los Angeles Angels also added some offensive help to the mix.
The Angels added Randal Grichuk and CJ Cron from the Colorado Rockies. Grichuk hit a home run for the Angels in his first game with his new team.
Cubs Add Candelario
Jeimer Candelario, who came up with the Chicago Cubs, is back with the organization. The Chicago Cubs were in need of some offensive help and got an upgrade at third base.
The Cubs were one of the teams on the fence whether to buy or sell, but with eight straight wins, the Cubs are choosing to be buyers and make a run at the National League Central.
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