The Houston Astros acquired right-hander Zack Greinke and cash considerations from the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday in exchange for minor-league pitchers Corbin Martin and J.B Bukauskas, first baseman/outfielder Seth Beer, and infielder Joshua Rojas, the D-Backs announced.
Only Beer is currently listed among MLB Pipeline's top 100 prospects.
"To add a future Hall of Famer like Zack Greinke to our team for the next two-and-a-half years, we had to give up a lot of value. And it was painful," Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow explained following the trade, according to MLB.com's Brian McTaggart.
The Diamondbacks are sending $24 million to the Astros in the trade, a source told The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal, which means Houston assumes the remaining $53 million left on Greinke's contract. The 35-year-old is inked through 2021.
Luhnow explained the deal was only approved by MLB with minutes left before Wednesday's deadline. He called the situation "a little reminiscent" of the Justin Verlander trade in 2017, according to The Athletic's Jake Kaplan.
"Jeff (Luhnow) pulled this deal off. I approved the deal. We wanted to do something game-breaking because we're in a position to win and that's what we did," Astros owner Jim Crane said, according to Mark Berman of FOX 26.
"We want to win. (Jeff Luhnow) was interested in doing something that moves the needle and we think this moves the needle," Crane added. "We've got a good team. We needed a pitcher. This opportunity became available and we made the commitment."
Greinke joins Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole in Houston's rotation, giving the 2017 World Series winners a formidable top three.
Following his start against the New York Yankees on Wednesday, Greinke owns a 2.90 ERA in 23 outings this season. He was selected to his sixth All-Star Game earlier this month.
Beer was ranked third among Astros prospects before the deal, according to MLB Pipeline. The 22-year-old has hit .309/.410/.564 with 25 home runs and 86 RBIs in 98 games across two minor-league levels this season.
Bukauskas, also 22, was pitching for Double-A Corpus Christi this season. His 5.25 ERA and 1.58 WHIP aren't impressive, but he's struck out 10.3 hitters per nine across 85 2/3 innings.
The 23-year-old Martin was the Astros' second-round pick in 2017. He made five starts for Houston's big-league club this season, posting a 5.59 ERA and 8.50 FIP in 19 1/3 innings. Martin was much better in the minors while recording a 3.13 ERA, but he walked 4.3 hitters per nine. He's out of action for the remainder of the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in early July.
Rojas ranked 22nd among Astros prospects before the deal, according to MLB Pipeline. He hit .315/.403/.575 across two minor-league levels this season. The 25-year-old also comes with defensive versatility, as he can play second, third, and the outfield.
