Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
Earlier today, the Houston Astros acquired left handed pitcher Travis Blackley from the Oakland Athletics in exchange for outfielder Jake Goebbert. First off, I want to say that I like this trade for the Astros. Goebbert was never a prospect for the Astros, and trading him essentially opens up a roster spot at Triple-A Oklahoma City for George Springer sometime in the near future. Also, Blackley provides the Astros with a little more bullpen depth, which they desperately need, and he can start if need be.
Blackley didn’t pitch very well during Spring Training, and that led to him being designated for assignment. He finished the spring with one win and one loss but he gave up 20 earned runs in just over twelve innings pitched. The Astros rotation, just three games into the season, doesn’t look to need any help. They have more than held their own, but Blackley will provide the Astros with a left handed long man out of the bullpen, and will also add depth in case they need him as a spot starter.
“He had a lot of success as a starter and we believe that will translate well into our bullpen. We did have our scouts see him this spring and there was a long list of players that became available as the season started when everybody cut down to 25 [players]. He was at the top of our list, and we made a few phone calls and got it done.” said Houston Astros General Manager Jeff Luhnow to MLB.com.
With addition comes subtraction. Now that the Astros have added Blackley to their roster, someone will need to not only be sent down, but be removed from the 40 man roster as well. If I’m guessing, we won’t know who that person is until just before game time. Blackely will be in uniform as the Astros take on his old team, the A’s., on Friday.
We will have to wait and see who gets removed from both the 40 man and 25 man rosters. If my gut is correct, it will be Edgar Gonzalez who was just added to both of those rosters in place of Alex White who was placed on the 60 day disabled list.
