HOUSTON (AP) — The Houston Astros acquired first baseman Trey Mancini from the Baltimore Orioles in a three-team trade Monday, and then added catcher Christian Vázquez in a deal with the Boston Red Sox.
Houston moved speedy outfielder Jose Siri to the Tampa Bay Rays in the trade that netted Mancini.
The AL West-leading Astros were in the market for a first baseman with Yuli Gurriel struggling this season. The 38-year-old Gurriel hit .319 to win the American League batting title in 2021, but has hit just .243 with seven homers and 28 RBIs this year.
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said Mancini would be tough to replace on and off the field and that the conversation about the trade was difficult.
“Trey has been such an important part of our lives here the last, since I’ve been here, and a big part of Baltimore and a big part of this community,” Hyde said. “And you know it’s hard to see someone like him go, just a close friend to so many people.
“It wasn’t fun, but happy for him and the opportunity he’s going to have, but it’s hard to say goodbye.’
The Astros also needed depth at catcher with Jason Castro, the backup to Martín Maldonado, out with a knee injury and rookie Korey Lee filling in. Maldonado has been credited for aiding the success of Houston’s mostly young pitching staff, but he’s hitting just .173 this season, making Vázquez a significant upgrade offensively.
The 31-year-old Vázquez is hitting .282 with eight homers and 42 RBIs this season. In an eight-year career with the Red Sox, he has batted .262 with 54 homers and 266 RBIs.
Vázquez was in the Red Sox lineup Monday at Houston before being scratched just minutes before the game. Now he’ll move to the other clubhouse at Minute Maid Park where he’ll try to help the Astros make another deep playoff push.
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