The Houston Astros and Milwaukee Brewers executed yet another trade during this active MLB offseason while the Chicago Cubs signed a minor league free agent and added him to the MLB roster.
Houston sent shortstop Jonathan Villar to Milwaukee in exchange for prospect pitcher Cy Sneed.
The #Brewers have acquired INF Jonathan Villar from Houston in exchange for RHP Cy Sneed.
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) November 19, 2015
The Astros have acquired RHP Cy Sneed from the Brewers in exchange for IF Jonathan Villar.
— Houston Astros (@astros) November 19, 2015
Villar, 24, has played in 198 career MLB games since 2013 and has had trouble finding a spot on the Astros' roster due to the presence of second baseman Jose Altuve, shortstop Carlos Correa and third baseman Luis Valbuena.
He could have a shot at contributing with the Brewers as new general manager David Stearns is working on rebuilding the roster.
"At this point our objective is to acquire the best young player we possibly can, really regardless of position," Stearns told Adam McCalvy of MLB.com. "So having an abundance of quality middle infielders up and down your system is a really good place to be and a place of strength."
The Astros will get Sneed in return. The 23-year-old right-hander maintained a 2.58 ERA and 1.13 WHIP while adding 122 strikeouts in 26 games (24 starts) between Class-A Wisconsin and High Class-A Brevard County this past season. This move helps the Astros replenish their farm system after parting ways with pitching prospects Adrian Houser and Josh Hader in the Carlos Gomez trade.
In Chicago, the Cubs added prospect starter Andury Acevedo after signing the minor league free agent away from the New York Yankees. He was added to the team's 40-man roster.
#Cubs have agreed to a 2016 contract w/ RHP Andury Acevedo, who spent the last 4 years in the #Yankees organization. pic.twitter.com/lerWC3LxkC
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) November 19, 2015
The right-hander reached Triple-A last season and finished 3-4 with a 2.59 ERA, 1.25 ERA and 49 strikeouts in 41 games (59 innings). The reliever notched three saves on the year.
Chicago also claimed reliever Jack Leathersich, 25, off waivers from the New York Mets. The left-hander appeared in 17 games for the Mets this past season and had a 2.31 ERA, 1.63 WHIP and 14 strikeouts in 17 games (11 2/3 innings).
