Diamondbacks Trade Oliver Perez to Houston

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The Diamondbacks have made a trade. In this league it isn’t a common occurrence for a team to participate in a trade after the MLB Trade Deadline. Even less likely that a trade involves an impact player. With the traditional MLB Trade Deadline already gone, the Dbacks and Astros got together and agreed on a move ahead of the August 31st waiver Trade Deadline.

Houston acquired left hander Oliver Perez from Arizona in a move intended to strengthen their bullpen. Perez, 33, plays the key role of left handed specialist that each contender would be wise to have on their team. This season Perez is 2-1 with a 3.10 ERA and has 37 strikeouts in 29 innings. Last season with the Dbacks (his only other season with the club), Perez was 3-4 with a 2.91 ERA and had 76 strikeouts in 58.2 innings.

Jul 27, 2015; Seattle, WA, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Oliver Perez (59) throws against the Seattle Mariners during the ninth inning at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Perez turned his career from failed starting pitcher to left handed specialist. It has added another four years to his 13-year career. Perez had impressive career numbers with Arizona. In total, Perez was 5-5 with a 2.98 ERA. The eye-opening stat here was 113 strikeouts in just 87.2 innings. We believe that the Astros will find some use for him.

The Dbacks acquired Junior Garcia from the Astros. Garcia is a 19-year old left handed pitcher from the Dominican Republic. At the time of the trade, Garcia was pitching for the Tri-City ValleyCats of the New York-Penn League (A-level). There, Garcia has accumulated 8 scoreless (earned runs) innings. He’s also spent time with the Greeneville Astros of the Appalachian League (Rookie League). There, he was 3-0 with a 1.23 ERA in 29.1 innings.

Most likely the 6’1 lefty will arrive for to play for the Kane County Cougars. It’s a keen move for the Dbacks. Perez will be a free agent in the winter and it’s a possibility that the Dbacks will just re-sign him then. It’s a win for Arizona by getting anything in return for his service of a couple of months. With Andrew Chafin emerging as a letigimate option in the bullpen, Perez become movable.

We wish Oliver the best of luck in Houston.

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