Astros add all-star Greinke to formidable rotation

The Houston Astros have acquired ace Zack Greinke, adding another all-star to a formidable rotation that already included Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole.

The AL West leaders got Greinke in a startling trade with the Arizona Diamondbacks for four minor leaguers on Wednesday. It came right before the deadline to complete deals to have players eligible for the post-season.

Greinke pitched five innings earlier in the day at Yankee Stadium, giving up two runs to New York. He is 10-4 with a 2.90 ERA this season.

The Astros won the 2017 World Series and lost the 2018 AL Championship Series to Boston. They loaded up again with the 35-year-old Greinke, getting a six-time All-Star and the 2009 AL Cy Young Award winner.

Greinke's addition gives the Astros four starting pitchers with ERAs in the top 15 in the majors this year. Verlander is fifth with a 2.73 ERA, Greinke is ninth, Cole is 11th at 2.94 and Wade Miley ranks 14th at 3.06.

Verlander leads the AL in wins (14) and ERA, and Cole tops with the majors with 212 strikeouts.

Greinke has a $31.5 million US salary this year as part of a $206.5 million, six-year contract. He is owed $32 million in both 2020 and 2021, and gets a $2 million bonus for being traded.

The Astros, who began the day with an eight-game division lead over Oakland, also acquired two other pitchers, getting starter Aaron Sanchez and reliever Joe Biagini from Toronto.

Braves grab Greene

The Atlanta Braves acquired heavily pursued all-star closer Shane Greene from the Detroit Tigers in the final hour before the trade deadline. The Braves gave the Tigers their No. 7 prospect, left-hander Joey Wentz, along with outfielder Travis Demeritte in the deal.

Greene, 30, has 22 saves and a 1.18 ERA in 38 games this season, after saving 32 games in 2018. The Braves later announced a trade for reliever Mark Melancon from San Francisco in exchange for righties Dan Winkler and Tristan Beck. After battling injuries for a couple seasons, the 34-year-old Melancon has thrown 46 1/3 innings in 2019, going 4-2 with a 3.50 ERA.

Nationals get bullpen help

The Nationals also added bullpen help with three acquisitions. First, the team got Daniel Hudson from the Toronto Blue Jays, sending pitching prospect Kyle Johnston in return. Then, the team acquired left-handed reliever Roenis Elias and righty Hunter Strickland from Seattle in exchange for three prospects: 26-year-old left-hander Taylor Guilbeau, 20-year-old right-hander Elvis Alvarado and for 23-year-old left-hander Aaron Fletcher.

Rays, Brewers swap

The biggest name among the position players to move was first baseman Jesus Aguilar, whom the Tampa Bay Rays acquired from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for pitcher Jake Faria. Aguilar, 29, is hitting just .225 with eight home runs in 94 games this season, but last season smashed 35 home runs with 108 RBIs.

The Brewers also added left-hander Drew Pomeranz and reliever Ray Black from San Francisco in exchange for minor league prospect Mauricio Dubon.

Cubs make trio of moves

The Chicago Cubs made a trio of moves, as well, most notably getting outfielder Nicholas Castellanos from the Detroit Tigers in a deal for two pitching prospects, including 2017 first-round pick Alex Lange. The Cubs also sent catcher Martin Maldonado to the Astros for utility man Tony Kemp, and gave the San Diego Padres right-handed reliever Carl Edwards Jr. in exchange for left-hander Brad Wieck.

Other notable trades Wednesday

The Oakland Athletics bolstered their starting rotation by acquiring right-hander Tanner Roark from the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for minor league center fielder Jameson Hannah, the A's second-round selection in the 2018 MLB Draft.

Pittsburgh sent 30-year-old outfielder Corey Dickerson to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for international signing bonus money and a player to be named later.

The Giants reportedly acquired former All-Star second baseman Scooter Gennett from the Reds receiving either cash considerations or a player to be named later in return.