THURSDAY: The Orioles announced that they claimed Strop from the Rangers. Baltimore obtained cash in the Gonzalez deal and used it to claim Strop, according to Connolly. The Gonzalez deal is now complete.
WEDNESDAY: Right-hander Pedro Strop will go to the Orioles as the player to be named in the deal that sent Mike Gonzalez from Baltimore to Texas, according to Dan Connolly of the Baltimore Sun.
Strop, 26, has appeared in 11 games for Texas this season and has a 3.72 ERA with 8.4 K/9 and 6.5 BB/9 in 9 2/3 innings. The Dominican Republic native has also posted a 3.59 ERA with 10.4 K/9 and 4.5 BB/9 in 47 2/3 innings of relief for the Rangers' Triple-A affiliate this season.
In parts of three MLB seasons, Strop's average fastball has clocked in at 94.7 mph. Strop, who originally signed with the Rockies as a shortstop prospect, didn't start pitching professionally until his age-21 season.
Hmm, a trade for cash to cover a waiver claim. Why all the machinations instead of a straight up trade? Boredom in front offices?
I’d like some further description of this trade as well. Why isn’t just a regular trade? Could another team still block Stroup?
Strop was on the 40 man roster in Texas, and therefore had to clear waivers to complete the trade.
I believe that since the Orioles had the worst record in the AL, they would automatically win the waiver claim. Nothing strange going on.