The Houston Astros and Miami Marlins have completed a trade that sends first baseman Carlos Lee to Miami in exchange for two prospects, third baseman Matt Dominguez and left handed starter Rob Rasmussen, according to ESPN's Buster Olney.
Sources: The Marlins are trading Matt Dominguez and P Rob Rasmussen for Carlos Lee.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) July 4, 2012
According to Olney's initial report, the Astros were to eat a significant portion of Lee's remaining nine million dollars owed this year. As a consequence, the Astros received two decent prospects, as opposed to organizational fodder.
Rasmussen was a second round pick by the Marlins in 2010. The 23 year old southpaw has made 16 starts this year in AA, with a 4-7 record, 3.90 ERA and .250 BAA. In 87 and 2/3 innings, Rasmussen has struck out 75 and walked 36 batters.
Dominguez will turn 23 in August, and is a glove-first third base prospect. He has struggled mightily in AAA this year, with a .234/.291/.357 batting line. A change of scenery might do Dominguez well, and the Astros will try to get his bat to a respectable level.
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