As the MLB trade deadline looms, teams in the AL West are making moves to strengthen their starting pitching. The Houston Astros, Oakland Athletics, and Seattle Mariners have all been active in the market, looking to bolster their rotations and make a push for the playoffs.
The Astros have been the most aggressive, trading for starters Zack Greinke and Aaron Sanchez. Greinke, a six-time All-Star, has been a reliable starter for years and should provide a boost to the Astros’ rotation. Sanchez, meanwhile, is a promising young pitcher who has shown flashes of brilliance in his brief career. The Astros are hoping he can take the next step and become a reliable starter.
The Athletics have also been active in the market, acquiring Tanner Roark from the Cincinnati Reds. Roark is a veteran starter who has been a reliable innings eater throughout his career. He should provide some much-needed depth to the Athletics’ rotation and help them make a run at the playoffs.
The Mariners have also been active, acquiring Marco Gonzales from the St. Louis Cardinals. Gonzales is a young lefty with a lot of potential and should provide some stability to the Mariners’ rotation. He has shown flashes of brilliance in his brief career and could be a key piece in the Mariners’ playoff push.
Overall, teams in the AL West have been aggressive in their pursuit of starting pitching ahead of the trade deadline. With Greinke, Sanchez, Roark, and Gonzales all joining their respective teams, the AL West should be an exciting division to watch down the stretch. It will be interesting to see which teams make the playoffs and which teams fall short.
