You know what? Maybe it's time to stop talking about this Houston Astros season like it's been a total disaster.
Though they still sit two games below .500, the Astros have gone 26-16 since mid-May, the fourth-best record in Major League Baseball in that 42-game span. But because Houston put itself in such a big hole with their slow start, they clearly need to stay hot, and that will require reinforcements.
The Astros have some obvious roster flaws, but today we're here to fix them. It's time to put our general manager hats on and deliver the trade deadline acquisitions to Houston that will get them back where they belong: the big stage in October.
Astros need 1 more starting pitcher
Houston has always been known for its starting pitching in their dominant decade, but injuries have ravaged the rotation in 2024. Gone are Cristian Javier, Luis Garcia, and Jose Urquidy, with Justin Verlander currently unavailable as well. Someone needs to step into the void and the answer lies in the trade market.
Of all the options available, the Detroit Tigers' Jack Flaherty is the one that most screams “Astros”. He's a hard-throwing righty, a veteran with some huge seasons under his belt and enjoying an already-resurgent season. Nobody has proven better at tapping into starting pitchers than the Astros and if they get their hands on Flaherty, it will be scary for the entire league.
Houston should be shooting for the moon here, but there are other options that could make sense as well. The Chicago White Sox's Erick Fedde comes with control for 2025, which could prove useful if Houston still ends up missing the playoffs. And the Toronto Blue Jays could be in a position to deal both Yusei Kikuchi and Chris Bassitt, both of whom could be great Astros reclamation projects.
The Astros have proven apt at acquiring starting pitchers at previous deadlines. Verlander in 2017. Gerrit Cole the following year. Verlander again in 2023. This is a move we know Houston can get across the finish line and Flaherty is the right move this time around.
Houston's 1st base situation remains unclear
Well, we thought José Abreu would still be the Astros' first baseman at this point, but now we know different. Abreu is in the baseball void, waiting to see if another team will give him an opportunity to rediscover his MVP form. And unfortunately, it doesn't appear that Houston has yet found a better option.
Jon Singleton is in many ways the exact opposite of what teams look for in their first base spot: a bat without much power and a huge hole on defense. And Mauricio Dubón, who has played a solid amount of first base lately, is most useful as a utility player. The Astros need someone they can turn to every day.
This would be a great Vladimir Guerrero Jr. destination if the Astros were willing to fit the 25-year-old's $19.9 million salary under their payroll. Guerrero has rediscovered his power stroke of late, exhibited by his 471-foot moonshot onto the roof of a Fenway Park parking garage. But if that's too rich for their liking, dare they venture back into trading with the White Sox? Andrew Vaughn does have an .836 OPS in his last 39 games…
Astros could use an outfield bat
Perhaps the need for help has quelled with the return of Chas McCormick, who has been adequate since his return from the injured list on May 21. But Kyle Tucker's return timeline is still murky and rookie Joey Loperfido has great potential, but isn't yet proven.
They'll have to get in line, but the Astros could easily be one of the teams in on a Luis Robert Jr. deal. Sure, Jake Meyers has played a fantastic defensive center field, but his offensive upside will never match that of La Panterra. And there's a way to mix and match lineups to get both time in center while keeping Robert's bat constantly in the middle of the order.
If they lose on Robert, Tommy Pham is everyone's alternative. Lane Thomas of the Washington Nationals has been fantastic since mid-May and comes with an extra year of control. And don't sleep on the Los Angeles Angels' Taylor Ward as a fit, even within the Astros' division.
Whoever it may be, the Astros would be in a much better position to make a second-half push if they had one more veteran bat in the outfield. Think of Michael Brantley's role on the great Astros teams of the past. They don't need a star, but a calming lineup presence who can get on base in the playoffs.
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