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Grading the Houston Astros’ trade deadline moves
Trade #1: Abraham Toro and Joe Smith for Kendall Graveman and Rafael Montero
This trade came as a surprise this last Tuesday. Toro walked out of the Seattle Mariners‘ dugout in uniform before beat writers knew he was traded. The switch-hitting utility man with team control will be an impactful player for years to come, but for now, he was easy trade value to dump for a reliever.
I anticipated this trade a few weeks ago, but that wasn’t the same Mariners’ team that Seattle has now. Their clubhouse was furious with the trade, and while their front office didn’t make any other big transactions, they might’ve set themselves back this season.
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Many knew Toro was bolstering his trade stock, and after seeing what Graveman could do for the Astros on Friday night, they honestly fleeced the Mariners. Toro will be beneficial in replacement for an aging Kyle Seager, whose contract is expiring, but Seattle was one game back of the second Wild Card spot.
They have won one game since the trade, but even the addition of Joe Smith doesn’t bolster their odds. It helped the Astros, while the Mariners eat the rest of his contract. In regards to Rafael Montero, he was a throw in and also a roster place holder in my opinion; I think he could be DFA’d for Josh Smith and Pedro Baez to return.