Yea neither of those guys are likely long term pieces for a championship quality team I don’t think they would take either as the main piece for Castro though With more buyers than sellers and not many hitters likely available, a guy like Castro with his versatility will cost at least a decent upside prospect
One things for sure, if you trade a 23 year old IF who hits 3 HR in 2 big league games a week before the deadline, you better get a big time controllable star player. Matthews has to be damn near untouchable at this point.
From Ken Rosenthal’s athletic article this AM: Two developments with the Houston Astros on Tuesday – righty Lance McCullers Jr. becoming their 17th player on the injured list and manager Joe Espada calling third baseman Isaac Paredes’ right hamstring strain “a pretty significant injury” – could alter the team’s deadline plans. The Astros were looking for a top-of-the-rotation starter even before McCullers hit the IL with a finger blister, and even with righties Spencer Arrighetti and Cristian Javier expected to rejoin the rotation in August. Of course, it is unclear whether an ace-type pitcher will become available, much less one with the additional club control the club would prefer as lefty Framber Valdez approaches free agency. If the Astros can’t get a starter, they likely will pursue a high-leverage reliever. They already were looking for a left-handed hitting second baseman. With Paredes out, they could explore options at third as well. Here’s The Athletic’s Chandler Rome had more on the Astros’ situation.
Paredes being in doubt for the playoff makes guys like Jordan Westburg, Brett Baty, and Yoan Moncada make more sense for Houston to target. All 3 guys hit RHP well and can play all 3 of 2B, LF, and 3B. Willi Castro is still the guy that seems to be the most ideal fit. I think too many other teams want Suarez and I really don’t like Ryan McMahon. Astros get: IF Jordan Westburg OF Cedric Mullins SP Charlie Morton $6M Orioles get: SP Spencer Arrighetti SP Colton Gordon P Miguel Ullola OF Chas McCormick P Bryce Mayer Playoff roster: Mullins Pena Altuve Alvarez Walker Westburg Smith Meyers/Matthews Diaz Bench: Dubon, Caratini, Hummel, Trammell SP: Valdez, Brown, Morton, Walter RP: Hader, Abreu, King, Sousa, Okert, Javier, Neris, Garcia, Gusto
7778 I agree Baltimore is looking for SP for 2026 but this is too much for Houston to give up now. IMO adding Morton and subtracting Arrighetti and Gordon hurts this pitching staff more than it hedeadline. And reportedly, they are looking at SP with control because Feamber is a FA. I think they need smaller deals.
I know you're just throwing around some hypothetical trades, and I know the O's need pitching, but so do we and there's no way I'm losing not only Framber after this season but also Arrighetti, Gordon and Ullola. We won't have Blanco or Wesneski next season. So no way I'm going into next season with just Brown Javier Walter McCullers Garcia Gusto Just my opinion.
Does Blanco have any value? I realize he's out until at least the ASB, but has 4 years of control and has established himself as at least a #4 SP. Maybe a team like Milwaukee who is always looking outside the box would be interested? They would still need legitimate MLB talent that helps 2025 also, as they have a real chance. Just a thought.
Valid point but there’s an entire offseason to address that, but also a fairly sizable crop of upper level SP who could be ready by opening day 2026: Fleury Blubaugh Pecko Dombroski France Nezuh Plus Alexander has looked really good in AAA. That’s 13 guys going into ST competing for a spot, 4 of whom have a 3+ fwar season on their resume and 2 more who were in the rotation most of this season. Factor in Houston’s track record of finding SP from the scrap heap and I’m willing to take the risk. Bottom line is that if Houston is going to make significant moves next week in this seller’s market, they are going to have to give up a lot. They don’t have money and they don’t have top prospects. They do have pitching depth.
Would be hard to believe he’d have any trade value. I don’t know of any precedent for a guy getting traded 3 months after having TJS.
I’d be very surprised if Dana traded his first ever draft pick so early on. Think he feels strongly about him and Cam because that was strong scouting conviction plays. Cam was rated the Cubs 7th best prospect by most publications and Matthews was going second round in most mock drafts.
Don’t necessarily disagree. The question is how small of a deal can they make and still represent a meaningful upgrade over their in-house options, and is it worth the cost? Whoever Houston adds needs to be significantly better than Hummel, Whitcomb, Trammell, McCormick, Dubon, etc.
I'm good with trading the Gordon's and Gusto's in this organization. There always seems like there are more. It's the guys who have playoff starter ceiling that I am hesitant about. It may be necessary to trade Ullola, but I have a hard time with trading him AND another potential TOR guy like Arrighetti. But there is a real chance at a World Series here. That has to take priority over saving for 2026.
Could not agree more. Bottom line is if 2026+ talent must he given up then so be it. This team is 1 game out of the best record in MLB with 61 to go but, offensively, is doing it with smoke and mirrors due to injury. They have the pitching, the top end hitters, and have "it" that can't be quantified or explained. Just need to find a way to lengthen the lineup. Ideally, that doesn't hurt 2026, but you can't get something for nothing.
Honestly, how bad is this “stand pat” playoff roster?: SS Pena LF Altuve DH Alvarez 1B Walker C Caratini RF Smith 2B Matthews CF McCormick 3B Dubon Bench: Trammell, Short, Diaz, Hummel SP: Framber, Brown, Walter, Arrighetti RP: Hader, Abreu, King, Okert, Sousa, Javier, Gusto, Gordon, Neris That assumes Paredes and Meyers are out for the season but Pena and Alvarez come back. I really only see the 8-9 spots as glaringly weak, and that’s if McCormick can’t find his 2023 mojo; even then he can be mixed and matched with Trammell to form a platoon. This is a good team and reinforcements are on the way internally. Gonna be a fun next few weeks.
Is it really smoke and mirrors though? Walker, Diaz, Smith, Caratini, Trammell, Hummel, and Matthews have all posted a wOBA below their xwOBA. Walter’s xFIP is way lower than his era. It’s entirely possible that Altuve, Walker, Caratini, Trammell, Diaz, Matthews, and Smith gives Houston 7 average or better everyday hitters; add in Alvarez and Pena and there you go. Altuve, Dubon, and Short are really the only two players in Houston’s current lineup that have numbers that say they’ve been lucky.
IMO its not about whether they have been lucky It's about if based on ability and history, if you expect it to continue. If an All Star level player doesn't produce, its a slump and surprises people- see Christian Walker before June. But if Dubon, Caratini, Trammell, Short, and even Matthews have a .600 OPS the rest of the year it would disappoint and frustrate, but not surprise anyone. Everytime one if them is needed to produce it feels like the damn is finally going to burst. I would feel better with a couple of upgrades A.J. Blubaugh and Shay Hillenbrand for Yoan Moncada. Colton Gordon and Alex Santos for Cedric Mullins. Enough?
McCormack looking respectable would make a world of difference. 2023 McCormack would make us pretty dangerous. I think he can get there if he gets the reps which at this point, he will because of injuries.
