The Oakland Athletics continue to add to their pitching staff as their threat in the American League playoff race gets more and more legit. They did so again on Monday with a post-Trade Deadline deal to acquire pitcher Mike Fiers from the Detroit Tigers for cash or a player to be named later. The 33-year-old won the World Series with the Houston Astros last season and was in his first year with Detroit.
He has had a very nice season, going 7-6 with a 3.48 ERA in 119 innings pitched. That included 87 strikeouts and 26 walks, as this deal finally came together after weeks of talks. The two sides were reportedly talking prior to the deadline but were unable to make a deal happen. Any deal after July 31st must involve the player being placed on waivers.
The veteran signed a one-year, $6 million deal with the Tigers, as he was not offered a contract from the Astros. He did leave his last start with a shin injury, but is expected to be good to go once the A's are ready to start him on the mound.
Another minor deal that took place saw the Pittsburgh Pirates acquiring shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria from the Tampa Bay Rays for minor league player Matt Seelinger. The Rays designated Hechavarria for assignment last week, as he is set to be a free agent this winter.
In 61 games with the Rays, he hit .258, and has played very well on the defensive side of the ball. The Pirates have been playing Sean Rodriguez at that position, but Hechavarria has not played another position since 2012.
Meanwhile, the Houston Astros took a bit of a blow in their loss on Sunday against the Los Angeles Dodgers, as outfielder George Springer left with discomfort in his left thumb. Springer is now heading to the disabled list with the injury and is expected to miss two weeks with what is being called a sprain. The injury took place when he was thrown out at second base in the fourth inning while trying to steal. His thumb apparently got caught on the glove of Chris Taylor.
The good news from this injury is that his UCL is not sprained, which knocks down the severity of the situation. Derek Fisher was called up from Triple-A to replace Springer on the roster. The defending World Series Champions are already without Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa, and Brian McCann. Springer is batting .250 with 19 home runs and 58 RBIs. The Astros will move on without him for now beginning on Monday against the San Francisco Giants.
He has had a very nice season, going 7-6 with a 3.48 ERA in 119 innings pitched. That included 87 strikeouts and 26 walks, as this deal finally came together after weeks of talks. The two sides were reportedly talking prior to the deadline but were unable to make a deal happen. Any deal after July 31st must involve the player being placed on waivers.
The veteran signed a one-year, $6 million deal with the Tigers, as he was not offered a contract from the Astros. He did leave his last start with a shin injury, but is expected to be good to go once the A's are ready to start him on the mound.
Another minor deal that took place saw the Pittsburgh Pirates acquiring shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria from the Tampa Bay Rays for minor league player Matt Seelinger. The Rays designated Hechavarria for assignment last week, as he is set to be a free agent this winter.
In 61 games with the Rays, he hit .258, and has played very well on the defensive side of the ball. The Pirates have been playing Sean Rodriguez at that position, but Hechavarria has not played another position since 2012.
Meanwhile, the Houston Astros took a bit of a blow in their loss on Sunday against the Los Angeles Dodgers, as outfielder George Springer left with discomfort in his left thumb. Springer is now heading to the disabled list with the injury and is expected to miss two weeks with what is being called a sprain. The injury took place when he was thrown out at second base in the fourth inning while trying to steal. His thumb apparently got caught on the glove of Chris Taylor.
The good news from this injury is that his UCL is not sprained, which knocks down the severity of the situation. Derek Fisher was called up from Triple-A to replace Springer on the roster. The defending World Series Champions are already without Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa, and Brian McCann. Springer is batting .250 with 19 home runs and 58 RBIs. The Astros will move on without him for now beginning on Monday against the San Francisco Giants.
