MLB trade deadline: Detroit Tigers trade Shane Greene to Atlanta Braves, pending medical

After much speculation of which team had the most need for closer Shane Greene, the winning bidder has been revealed, as the Atlanta Braves made a trade for Greene with less than an hour left in the July 31st trade deadline.

Greene, who is 30, has been having a tremendous and consistent season with the Tigers, making him a heavily valued asset for a lot of teams hoping to compete in the postseason. Whether he’ll continue to see use as a closer, or transition to a middle relief role remains to be seen. In addition to Greene, the Braves also traded for San Francisco Giants reliever Mark Melancon. Both pitchers will be under control for the 2020 season.

So far in his 2019 campaign Greene has a tremendous 1.18 ERA — though his 3.70 FIP is a bit more telling — a WHIP of 0.868, 22 saves, and an fWAR of 0.7.

This is, without a doubt the best major league season Greene has ever had, highlighted by his first-ever All-Star Game appearance in early July, making him a natural standout on the trade market. He’d been rumored to be on the radar of the Dodgers and Yankees, but it was the Braves who ultimately got him.

In return for Greene, the Tigers have acquired Joey Wentz and Travis Demeriette from the Braves. Wentz is a 21-year-old left-handed pitcher who has a 4.98 ERA in Double-A Mississippi this season, and Demeriette is a 24-year-old utility player who has played both second and third base, as well as the outfield. He is hitting .286/.387/.558 in Triple-A Gwinnett this year.