https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2024/07/top-50-trade-candidates-mlb-trade-deadline-2024.html I think Houston should go after Fedde, Rogers, Eflin, Kikuchi, Harvey, Kopech, and Chafin. The only bats on that list worth chasing are Guerrero and Robert but I think the cost will be too high. That list assumes the Rays will not shop Yandy Diaz, Brandon Lowe, or Isaac Paredes which takes 3 bats off the market who could be Astros targets.
Another name that should be mentioned is Neris. He's been pitching really well recently and he wouldn't cost much to acquire in prospects and $$ (FA after this yr). Would certainly give them more depth in the pen and he has plenty of experience in the playoffs. Hader Pressly Abreu Neris Scott
Much better. Not like a couple of years ago, but better. I'd aim a bit higher, but that's not a bad fallback plan.
He was hurt the past 2 years. Knee and neck surgery after 2022 season was "likely never healthy last year" according to mlbtraderumors. He’s hitting .264/.379/.430 this season with 10 homers and a career-high 12 steals. He’s walked at a 13.6% clip. He is a rental but he is only making $2M so won't move them over another CBT tier. I'm not saying he is the answer but would be a good way to extend the lineup vs RHP and be a great PH threat if a lefty started.
What about Mets 1b Alonso? Seems we established a trade partner last year w Mets and saved em o so much cash by not allowing ole JV the elder to get 140innings. Thus they owe us. We own Mets. Who else we gonna fleece from the Mets? Alonso would thrive in this batting order and at Minute Maids Park, yes yes?
The Mets are currently tied with the Cards for the 2nd WC. Still a couple of weeks to the trade deadline to see where they stand at that point but I'd be surprised if they trade Alonso.
Despite hitting pretty well since Abreu was released, Singleton has still been just a roughly league average 1B since mid June. So while I don’t think anyone is clamoring to release him, 1B is still the ripest position in the lineup for an upgrade. Unfortunately the market just doesn’t seem to be shaping up to support it. The Giants (Wade), Diamondbacks (Walker), Mets (Alonso), and Padres (Cronenworth) are all too much in contention to expect them to trade their 1B for a reasonable price. To me that leaves just Vlad Guerrero and Yandy Diaz as players I think would be worthwhile upgrades over Singleton, and neither team will be short on offers. At that point, it might make sense for them to focus on LF and upgrading over McCormick, but the market may be equally barren, with Rooker, Robert Jr., and maybe Winker representing the only surefire upgrades that look to actually be shopped. In short, Houston may very well be stuck with the lineup they’ve got. Of course based on the last month of play, that’s not necessarily a bad thing. At this point Houston is in a compromised situation with their rotation. and pretty much HAVE to add at least one starter. Jake Bloss starting game 4 of the World Series just doesn’t seem possible.
The medicals on JV, LMJ, and Garcia worry me. Until now I have been optimistic, but the injury situation is always worse than the Astros spin it, and the reports are bad enough. I still think this lineup needs another 125+ type bat, but not as bad as it needs a starting pitcher. There, I have been converted. Flaherty is my choice, because he's got ace type stuff and is a rental, so even by having to out bid several others it won't as bad as a guy with control. The Tigers also have a good nucleus of young talent and will likely want to compete next year, so they would be interested in older MLB ready talent rather than the younger high ceiling guys.
