In possibly the most stunning move of the 2019 MLB Trade Deadline, the Houston Astros have made a last-second play to acquire Arizona Diamondbacks ace Zack Greinke, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.
BREAKING: #Astros get Greinke.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) July 31, 2019
The Astros will now run out Justin Verlander, Gerrit Cole, and Zack Greinke in what is certainly the most fearsome starting trio in the majors.
Arizona had flirted with possibly trading Greinke prior to the deadline, but most analysts and reporters figured that his salary (Greinke is owed $64 million combined in the next two seasons) and the accompanying prospect cost would be serious detriments in getting a deal done.
Although the Diamondbacks were able to pry four top prospects away from the Astros, Houston still managed to retain both Tucker and top pitcher Forrest Whitley.
Corbin Martin, J.B. Bukauskas, Seth Beer and Josh Rojas are headed to the Diamondbacks for Zack Greinke, source tells ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 31, 2019
Greinke, 35, is having one of his finest seasons as a pro. In 22 starts, Greinke had a 2.87 ERA, and his 0.943 WHIP was the best mark in the National League. Conveniently enough, he now joins forces with the MLB leader in WHIP in Verlander.
This move should make the Astros the favorites in the American League. While the New York Yankees failed to add an impact starter at the deadline, the Astros plugged their rotational needs with one of the best pitchers in all of baseball.
Cole is arguably the leading candidate to win the American League Cy Young Award, while Verlander is 4-0 with a 1.44 ERA to start the second half. With Greinke now joining those elite aces, Houston has assembled perhaps one of the greatest three-headed monsters in MLB history.
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