DETROIT – The Detroit Tigers have reportedly traded All-Star closer Shane Greene to the Atlanta Braves.
ESPN's Buster Olney first reported that a deal had been reached.
Recommended Videos
Braves get Shane Greene, pending medicals
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) July 31, 2019
The Tigers have reportedly received prospects Joey Wentz and Travis Demeritte from the Braves in the deal.
#Tigers acquiring Joey Wentz and Travis Demeritte from the #Braves in exchange for Shane Greene, sources tell The Athletic. Unclear if others involved.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) July 31, 2019
Wentz, the Braves' No. 7 prospect, is a 21-year-old left-handed pitcher who has struck out 100 batters in 103 innings while posint a 1.31 WHIP and 4.72 ERA in Double-A.
Demeritte, 24, was not ranked among the Braves' top 30 prospects. He hasn't had much success in the minor leagues until this year, but has 20 home runs, 28 doubles and a .944 OPS in Triple-A this season.
With less than an hour until the 4 p.m. Wednesday trade deadline, the Braves and Los Angeles Dodgers emerged as the top suitors for Greene.
Right on cue, the Braves' bullpen blew a 4-1 lead in the eighth and ninth innings of their game against the Washington Nationals. Minutes later, reports emerged that the Tigers and Braves were nearing a deal.
Greene was masterful this season for the Tigers, allowing just five earned runs in 38 innings while striking out 43 batters. He posted a 1.18 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 10.2 K/9 in 38 appearances.
Of his 38 outings, which all lasted exactly one inning, Greene allowed earned runs in just four of them. Other than an April 16 outing against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Greene never allowed multiple earned runs in a game.
Shane Greene certainly would be happy with trade from #Tigers to #Braves, I'm told. He would be pitching closer to his Florida home and have the chance to continue closing, rather than shifting to a setup role. @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 31, 2019
More than a third of Greene's outings -- 13, to be exact -- have resulted in 1-2-3 innings. While his 3.70 FIP suggests he's due for some regression, he's been one of the best relief pitchers in the league this year.
Greene spent five seasons with the Tigers after being acquired in a three-team trade Dec. 5, 2014. The Tigers sent Domingo Leyba and Robbie Ray to the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Diamondbacks sent Didi Gregorius to the Yankees and the Yankees sent Greene to the Tigers.
Greene was a starter for the first season in Detroit but was moved to the bullpen permanently in 2016. He appeared in 243 games for the Tigers, posting a 4.72 ERA, 4.19 FIP, 1.32 WHIP and 8.3 K/9.
His last appearance in the Old English D came Monday against the Los Angeles Angels, polishing off a rare Tigers win, 7-2, with a scoreless ninth inning, allowing one walk and striking out two batters.
Greene, 30, is eligible for arbitration next season but is under team control. He is making $4 million this season.