Astros reacquire Justin Verlander from Mets, a deal owner Jim Crane tells AP was an easy decision
HOUSTON (AP) — Justin Verlander is headed back to the Houston Astros, who reacquired the three-time Cy Young Award winner from the New York Mets in a trade-deadline blockbuster. The Astros, who are in a tight race with Texas atop the AL West, shipped outfield prospects Drew Gilbert and Ryan Clifford to New York. Houston owner Jim Crane tells The Associated Press the Mets could send more than $50 million to the Astros to help pay off Verlander’s contract. The 40-year-old pitcher signed an $86.7 million, two-year deal with the Mets in December that includes a vesting option for 2025 at $35 million. The underperforming Mets have dismantled the most expensive roster in major league history. They also dealt Max Scherzer to Texas in a trade announced Sunday.
Tigers reach deal with Dodgers, but Detroit RHP Eduardo Rodriguez exercises no-trade clause
DETROIT (AP) — Detroit Tigers left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez blocked a deal, exercising his no-trade clause. Tigers general manager Scott Harris says there was a deal that did not go through with the Los Angeles Dodgers after Tuesday’s trade deadline. Rodriguez’s contract includes a provision that allows him him to block trades to 10 teams in every season. Rodriguez can opt out of his $77 million-five contract after the season and become an unrestricted free agent, or he can choose to play out the deal that pays him $18 million in 2024, $16 million in 2025 and $15 million in 2026.
Phillies get RHP Michael Lorenzen from Tigers to bolster rotation
DETROIT (AP) — The defending NL champion Philadelphia Phillies acquired right-hander Michael Lorenzen from the Detroit Tigers for minor league infielder Hao-Yu Lee. The 31-year-old Lorenzen made the All-Star team this season for Detroit. He’s 5-7 with a 3.58 ERA in his best year since converting from a reliever into a starter. The Phillies have a double-digit deficit behind the Atlanta Braves in the NL East, but they are in a tight race for a wild card in the National League. Philadelphia gave up its No. 5 prospect, according to MLB Pipeline.
Angels cap busy trade deadline by landing reliever Dominic Leone from Mets
ATLANTA (AP) — The Los Angeles Angels capped a busy trade deadline by acquiring reliever Dominic Leone and cash considerations from the New York Mets for minor league shortstop Jeremiah Jackson. The 31-year-old Leone was 1-3 with a 4.40 ERA in 31 games with the Mets. The right-hander is 22-23 with a 3.75 ERA for his career, which began in 2014 with Seattle. Jackson, 23, was hitting .248 with 15 homers, 56 RBIs and 21 stolen bases for Double-A Rocket City. He was a second-round draft pick by Los Angeles in 2018. The Angels reacquired slugger C.J. Cron and outfielder Randal Grichuk in a trade with the Colorado Rockies on Sunday, after getting pitchers Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo López from the Chicago White Sox.
Struggling Padres obtain Hill, Choi from the Pirates for 3 players
SAN DIEGO (AP) — The big-budget yet disappointing San Diego Padres acquired 43-year-old left-hander Rich Hill and first baseman/designated hitter Ji Man Choi from the Pittsburgh Pirates for three players. The Padres are led by stars Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, Juan Soto and Xander Bogaerts but are buried in fourth place in the NL West, 8 1/2 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers, and five games out of the third wild-card spot, with four teams ahead of them. The Padres entered this season with World Series aspirations after reaching the NL Championship Series last year.
Seattle moves on from second baseman Kolten Wong after struggles at the plate
SEATTLE (AP) — The Seattle Mariners designated for assignment second baseman Kolten Wong on Tuesday after he struggled at the plate for most of the season. The move became necessary after Seattle acquired infielder Josh Rojas and outfielder Dominic Canzone in a trade with Arizona that sent closer Paul Sewald to the Diamondbacks. Rojas and Canzone were added to the active roster and both were in the starting lineup against Boston. Wong was acquired in a trade with Milwaukee last offseason in the hope he could fill a need at second base, but his bat never came around and Wong was eventually benched.