HOUSTON (AP) – With mere hours until the trade deadline, the Houston Astros and Toronto Blue Jays have sent a clear message that they’re going for it – making big moves to try and propel their teams into the playoffs for the first time in a long time.
The Astros haven’t reached the postseason since being swept by the White Sox in the 2005 World Series. Toronto’s playoff drought is the longest in the majors, with its last trip coming in 1993, when Joe Carter’s home run won the World Series.
The Blue Jays acquired All-Star left-hander David Price from Detroit on Thursday, a couple days after getting shortstop Troy Tulowitzki from Colorado.
“These types of players, the great superstar players, rarely become available,” Toronto general manager Alex Anthopoulos said. “We think we’re a good team and adding a guy like Price we think makes us that much stronger and will give us a chance to win. It’s as simple as that.”
The Astros made their own moves before the deadline for making non-waiver trades at 4 p.m. EDT Friday.