Grading the Houston Astros’ trade deadline moves

(Photo by Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
(Photo by Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /
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Bryan De La Cruz, Houston Astros
(Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images) /

Trade #2: Bryan De La Cruz and Austin Pruitt for Yimi Garcia

While the Miami Marlins are lacking in their outfielding room, they found a solid, optionable slugger in De La Cruz. The right-hander was in Triple-A all season with the Sugar Land Skeeters, before being dealt for Garcia.

It shows how the Astros didn’t have much space for him, as he made the active roster right away, while also making his major-league debut on Friday. The trade benefitted both sides, as Houston grabbed another team’s closer in Garcia, who has a high chase rate and strikes batters out.

Pruitt, last acquisition under the Jeff Luhnow regime, was designated for assignment hours before the trade, which probably means he was just a throw in. Many waited months to see who the mystery man was, but after two bumpy outings, the Astros moved on from him, which is intriguing since I thought Click would hold onto him due to their connection in Tampa Bay.

Grade: A