Earlier today it was said the Houston Astros have some money to spend to help improve their roster before spring training. It was speculated they would use it on a starting pitcher, but it looks like they're going to use some of it on a power hitter.
According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the Astros will receive catcher/outfielder Evan Gattis from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for three prospects. FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal reports the Braves "continue to insist" they have not finalized a deal with the Astros, but Bob Nightengale of USA Today noted Gattis was in Houston for a physical, so the confirmation is likely pending the results of the examination.
The 28-year-old Gattis is the third power hitter to leave the Braves in a trade this offseason after outfielder Justin Upton was sent to the San Diego Padres in December and Jason Heyward was dealt to the St. Louis Cardinals. In two seasons with Atlanta, Gattis has a stat line of .253/.304/.487/.791 with 43 home runs and 117 RBIs in 213 games. Houston has a few options with Gattis, who has professional experience playing catcher, left field and some first base. It helps that they're in the American League because they have flexibility with the designated hitter position.
The slugger is under club control through the 2018 season, which is likely why the Astros were willing to surrender three talented prospects in the deal. They will reportedly send pitchers Michael Foltynewicz and Andrew Thurman as well as third baseman Rio Ruiz to the Braves. Last week Atlanta traded prospect third baseman Kyle Kubitza, who was a top-10 prospect, to the Los Angeles Angels, so Ruiz will probably work to fill that void.
Foltynewicz is a 23-year-old starter who is ranked as the No. 3 prospect in the Astros' farm system and the No. 2 pitcher, according to Baseball America. The right-hander struggled a bit last season at Triple-A Oklahoma City, going 7-7 with a 5.08 ERA and 1.46 WHIP in 21 games (18 starts), but his overall numbers have been solid. Here's the scouting report on him from Baseball America:
"Foltynewicz has an electric arm and crazy arm strength. He hits 100 mph in virtually every appearance and holds his top-of-the-scale velocity. His breaking ball-which some call a slider, some a curveball-is an above-average offering that misses bats. His aggressive, inefficient delivery costs him control, not to mention command, and he lacks feel for the strike zone. Trusting his premium stuff more would help. His changeup is below-average because he slows his arm noticeably when throwing it."
Ruiz is only 20 years old and began his professional career when he was 18. He has shown progression, moving from the Rookie League in 2012 to Class-A Quad Cities in 2013 and then Advanced Class-A Lancaster this past season. In 283 career games, the youngster has slashed .275/.361/.429 with 143 runs scored, 24 home runs and 158 RBIs with his left-handed bat. Here's his scouting report:
"Ruiz's approach attracted the Astros in his amateur days, and he takes professional at-bats while maintaining a smooth stroke and balanced swing. He has made specific improvements to his hitting mechanics in the past year, cleaning up his collapsing front side. Ruiz's power hasn't translated to home runs yet, and scouts project average power thanks to good bat speed and his strike-zone judgment, which should allow him to become more aggressive in the future. Still somewhat raw, Ruiz lacks polished actions at third base and needs reps defensively, especially working on his backhand and being more consistent with his average arm."
And last but not least, Thurman is a 23-year-old who has pitched 38 games (25 starts) between Short-Season A and Class-A Quad Cities. He owns an 11-11 record with a 4.99 ERA and 1.39 WHIP. He was selected in the second round of the 2013 MLB June Amateur Draft.
We'll provide an official update when the deal is confirmed. Nightengale noted three teams were "aggressively pursuing" Gattis, so it's unclear what may happen.
UPDATE: A source tells David O'Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that Gattis has been traded to the Astros.
