Astros players understand deals are part of game

BALTIMORE -- Having to say goodbye to teammates at the Trade Deadline is nothing new to Astros first baseman Brett Wallace, who came to Houston in a Deadline deal three years earlier and has watched several trades take place.

On Wednesday, Wallace and his teammates exchanged goodbye hugs with pitcher Bud Norris, who was traded to the Orioles. Wallace and Norris have known each other for quite some time.

"It's crazy," Wallace said. "[Norris] was the first guy I really knew that well. I knew [catcher Jason] Castro from high school, but I played against Bud in high school. Seeing him move on is kind of surreal. It's weird that it's here and happening, but I think he's going to do great over there."

Castro is suddenly one of the veteran leaders on the club following the departure of Norris, outfielder Justin Maxwell and closer Jose Veras via trades and first baseman Carlos Pena, who was released.

"It's part of the game," Castro said. "It's one of those things that where we are in the rebuild, it's just a part of it. It's tough to see those guys go. They've been a big part of the organization for the last couple of years, and Bud was the longest-tenured Astro. We wish him the best of luck and he's going to be everything he was for us, and more, over there."

Astros manager Bo Porter says the shape of the ballclub has changed.

"This is a business, and like I said to Bud, it speaks to how he's been doing as a Major League player that he was having a number of teams call us with interest in him," he said. "He's going to a great situation over there in Baltimore, a great opportunity to play for a championship. I wish him well. I think we have enough young pitching in our organization and we feel comfortable moving forward."