Somehow, the Astros have traded Travis Blackley to the Rangers for a Player To Be Named Later and cash considerations.
Blackley, designated for assignment last week, had cleared waivers and accepted his assignment to Oklahoma City.
Of course, we'll keep tabs on the PTBNL. I'm just surprised this went down at all.
UPDATE: Old Pal Evan Grant says there is no PTBNL in the deal (so does T.R. Sullivan). So it's just...
UPDATE: Tweet from Jose de Jesus Ortiz:
In text to beat writers 10 minutes ago, Astros sais player to be named from Rangers in exchange for Travis Blackley. Some say cash instead.
UPDATE! Again, Ortiz, quoting Luhnow:
"All PTBNL transactions have an 'or cash' component to them."
Whatever. Since the Astros are just selling guys now, maybe they'll get Luis Suarez by the time the transfer window closes.
The Rangers are sending Blackley to Round Rock, where they will stretch him out as a starter. Back in May, Blackley told an Australian newspaper that he would be open to joining the rotation.
We didn't come out here to play tiddlywinks, son.
-Hal Smith
