Trade Central: Astros Send Straily To Padres

THE DEAL

The Padres and Astros hooked up Monday night on a swap of players not likely to make their former teams’ rosters but who could fill needs with their new organizations.

Dan Straily was out of options with the Astros and could have been an option for their bullpen, but now will reportedly be in the bullpen in San Diego.

Veteran receiver Erik Kratz seems to have a clearer path for the Astros’ 25-man roster with the injury to Max Stassi and the demotion of Tyler Heineman as Houston searches for a backup to Jason Castro.

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PADRES ACQUIRE Dan Straily, rhp Age: 27

Straily was one of the breakout prospects of 2012 as he led the minors in strikeouts, jumped three levels and finished the season in Oakland. He spent almost all of 2013 in the Oakland rotation and earned Rookie of the Year votes. Since those halcyon days, Straily has seen has stuff back up; never overpowering, he’s no longer averaging the 91 mph he did when he first reached the bigs. Straily has always had the ability to strike out hitters, despite fringy stuff, as he keeps them off balance. Still just 27, he’ll be a part of the Padres’ bullpen to begin the season, according to Dennis Lin of the San Diego Union-Tribune.

CLUB	W	L	ERA	G	IP	H	R	ER	HR	BB	SO
Fresno	10	9	4.77	22	122.2	147	69	65	13	25	124
Houston	0	1	5.40	4	16.2	16	11	10	2	8	14

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ASTROS ACQUIRE Erik Kratz, c Age: 35

Originally drafted by Toronto in 2002, Kratz did not reach the majors until 2010 with the Pirates, when he was 30 years old. Kratz is touted as a good receiver with a solid throwing arm and some righty pop. He’s at least a short-term fix for the Astros until Stassi returns.

CLUB	AVG	AB	R	H	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	OBP	SLG	OPS
Kansas City	.000	4	0	0	0	1	0	2	0	.000	.000	.000
Omaha	.214	56	7	12	4	12	5	9	0	.274	.464	.738
Tacoma	.205	39	3	8	0	5	3	7	0	.279	.308	.587
Lehigh Valley	.312	77	14	24	3	15	18	18	1	.433	.558	.991
Philadelphia	.227	22	3	5	0	2	1	3	0	.261	.318	.579