Astros acquire RHP Paronto

Ken Rosenthal reports that the Houston Astros have signed right-hander Chad Paronto to a 1-year $500,000 deal that could be worth up to $675,000 after incentives.

Paronto will move into the bullpen already set with guys like Doug Brocail, Oscar Villareal and Geoff Geary to set the table for newly acquired closer Jose Valverde.

Diamondbacks deal for Haren, trade Valverde

The Diamondbacks just strenghthened their starting rotation after they made an 8 player deal. The A's sent Dan Haren and minor-leaguer Connor Robertson to Arizona in return for Carlos Gonzalez, Brett Anderson, Dana Eveland, Greg Smith, Chris Carter, and Aaron Cunningham.

Arizona wasn't done, in a move I found suprising, they sent 2007 NL Save Leader and closer Jose Valverde to Houston for Chris Burke, Chad Qualls, and Juan Gutierrez.

Is Houston tearing their entire farm system apart and they didn't tell anyone? Traded 5 minor leaguers for Miguel Tejada, then 3 more players for Jose Valverde? I guess Kevin Towers isn't the only GM ripping other teams off anymore.

Arizona listening to offers for Valverde?

Something that surprised me, apparently the Arizona Diamondbacks are listening to trade offers for closer Jose Valverde, according to Enrique Rojas of ESPN.