Jose Veras traded to Detroit Tigers

The Astros sent Jose Veras to the Detroit Tigers today in exchange for 19-year old outfielder Danry Vasquez and a player to be named later.

Detroit manager Jim Leyland said Veras would be used primarily in a setup role for closer Joaquin Benoit. Veras, who’s success as a closer for the Astros made him a wanted commodity, expressed mixed feelings about the trade saying:

"I feel Houston’s my home and now I’m going to another place and it’s going to be a little tough. I feel good because it’s a team that has an opportunity to be in the playoffs."

The loss of Veras means the Astros are now without a closer. Jose was just about the only dependable reliever in what has been a historically bad bullpen in Houston this season. Where do the Astros go from here? It’s hard to say. But don’t expect this to be the last trade made by Jeff Luhnow before Wednesday’s non-waiver trade deadline.

Jose Veras (Jim Cowsert-USA TODAY Sports)

Erik Bedard and Bud Norris have been drawing interest from multiple teams and both could be dealt within the next 48 hours. Perhaps the Astros can get a bullpen arm or two in exchange for one of the starters, otherwise things could get even uglier at the end of games.

Vasquez, who will be assigned to Quad Cities, signed a big money international free agent deal with the Tigers as a 16-year old. He was ranked as Detroit’s #4 prospect in Jonathan Mayo’s list that came out last week. The PTBNL that will complete the deal must be announced no later than September 15.