Tigers acquire Jose Veras from Astros

The Detroit Tigers have acquired right-handed reliever Jose Veras from the Houston Astros in exchange for outfield prospect Danry Vasquez and a player to be named later, according to an announcement from the team.

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Veras, 32, has posted a 2.93 ERA and 19 saves in 42 appearances on the year after signing with Houston in late December.

He will immediately join Drew Smyly and Joaquin Benoit at the back end of the Tigers' bullpen, filling a role that the Tigers have looked to improve for weeks.

While the team will keep Benoit as closer, they will use Veras and Smyly in the seventh and eighth innings.

Detroit has been aggressive with their pursuit of late inning relievers on the trade market, and had shown interest in available options like Joe Nathan, Luke Gregerson, Jonathan Papelbon and Francisco Rodriguez. Once Rodriguez was dealt to the Orioles last week, Detroit shifted their focus to other options, and decided that Veras was the best fit for their team.

Interest in Veras and Astros starter Bud Norris was said to be very strong last week, so it was only a matter of time before the reliever found a home with a contender. According to Knobler, the Tigers were initially split on the idea of obtaining Veras, but losing Rodriguez to the Orioles and seeing the high prices on pieces like Papelbon and Nathan must have driven the team to make the deal with Houston.

Tigers people are said to be split on Veras, by the way. If I had to guess, they don't go for him. But some pushing for him.

— Danny Knobler (@DannyKnoblerCBS) July 24, 2013

Vasquez, 19, has hit .281 with 5 HR and 39 RBI in 96 games for Class A-Michigan on the season. He was ranked by Baseball America as the Tigers' sixth best prospect before the season, and is known as a solid offensive player with power potential. Since being signed out of Venezuela in 2011, Vasquez has spent three years in the Tigers system, hitting .276 with 10 HR and 111 RBI in 251 career games.

Houston will also receive a player to be named later on or before September 15th.

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