The Astros have acquired 30-year old lefty starter/reliever Travis Blackley from the Oakland A’s for 25-year old lefty swinging outfielder Jake Goebbert. Blackley pitched in 28 games (15 starts) for the Giants and A’s last year and he was 6-4 with a 4.10 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP. Blackley has now pitched in 36 games (23 starts) in his first three years in the majors and he is 7-7 with a 5.37 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP. Goebbert played in 130 games in AA+AAA-ball for the Astros last year and he was 116 of 398 (.291 avg, .838 OPS) with 73 runs scored, 9 homers, 54 RBIs and 5 stolen bases. Blackley will probably be working out of the Astros’ pen initially and they need all the help that they can get there, so I like this addition for them.
UPDATE: (4/6/2013) - The Astros have placed Travis Blackley on the 15-day disabled list due to a strained left shoulder. The Astros have called up 25-year old lefty starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel to replace Blackley on the active roster. Keuchel pitched in 16 games (all starts) in his first taste of the majors last year for the Astros and he was 3-8 with a 5.27 ERA and a 1.55 WHIP.