BLOG: The cost of Astros trade for Zack Greinke

Minutes after the trade deadline on July 31, the Houston Astros announced the trade of four prospects to the Arizona Diamondbacks for Zack Greinke. The prospects are first baseman Seth Beer, right-handed pitchers J. B. Bukauskas and Corbin Martin, and infielder/outfielder Josh Rojas. Of the four, three were ranked in the top five in Houston’s farm system.

Martin made his debut earlier this year for the Astros posting a 1-1 record and a 5.59 earned run average (ERA) with 19 strikeouts in five games. He is young and can be developed through Arizona’s farm system. 

Beer and Bukauskas were ranked 3 and 4 in the Astros farm system. Beer is currently batting .307 with 37 home runs, while Bukauskas has a current record of 6-6 and 3.90 ERA with 178 strikeouts.

Rojas is batting .281 with 38 home runs. Though ranked as number 22 in the Astros farm system, he will also develop well in the Diamondbacks’ farm system.

Greinke will fill in the number three spot of the Astros rotation, currently held by recently acquired left-handed pitcher Wade Miley. This move will bump Miley to the number four spot with right-handed pitcher Aaron Sanchez from the Toronto Bluejays taking the number five spot. These changes have strengthened the Astros odds to not only get to the World Series but to be considered favorites to win.

The cost of this trade is not as severe as it seems. While the Astros lost four prospects, the team gained another Cy Young recipient to go along with Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole. However, it is uncertain if the Astros will be able to afford to keep Cole, whose contract is up after this season. With the season he is having this year, Cole will need a hefty contract. 

With Grienke now on board, losing Cole would soften the blow and set things up for a potentially interesting offseason. The trade helps Arizona not only save money but also gain a firmer grip on their farm system and has set their sights for the offseason as well. The Diamondbacks have no intentions of making a run at the postseason and with this deal done, the team can sit back and watch the fireworks ahead.