Houston Astros Acquire Aledmys Diaz
The Houston Astros have acquired SS Aledmys Diaz from the Blue Jays in exchange for RHP Trent Thornton.
First impressions of the trade for me are really good. Diaz was an All-Star for the Cardinals as a rookie in 2016 and was the first rookie in MLB History to sustain a .500 batting average after his first 50 ABs. Still just 28 with 4 years of team control, Diaz will take on Marwin’s role should the Astros lose him to Free Agency. This past season, his first with the Blue Jays, Diaz batted .263/.303/.453 with 26 2B, 18 HR, 55 RBI, 55 R, 111 H in 422 ABs. Diaz should provide a serviceable spark when added to the lineup for the next few seasons.
Thornton was a 5th Round Draft pick in 2015 and has a career 4.23 ERA in the Minor Leagues for the Astros, reaching as high as AAA. Thornton was Rule 5 Draft eligible this year and the Astros had 5 days to decide to either add him to the 40 Man Roster, risk losing him, or trade him altogether. The move was made, and a one for one trade for a controllable MLB piece is a great move by the Astros front office. For Thornton, finds a new opportunity to make the MLB roster in Toronto and make a name for himself in a new system.
Even if Diaz never pans out in his time with the Astros, getting him for a player the Astros most likely would have lost regardless is a great use of the assets the team possesses and a great way to maximize value. Good luck to Trent Thornton in Toronto and welcome to the Houston Astros, Aledmys Diaz!
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**Photo Credit: Getty Images**
