2025 ESPN's Top 50 Trade Targets

Seems like they expect there to be a lot of SP available. That plays into Houston’s strengths, and it wouldn’t surprise me if they targeted specific guys they felt like they could unlock and get for a good price.
On the other hand, Yoan Moncada was the only player on the list who hits lefty and can play 2B.

 

From that list, Eflin and Fedde would fit in pretty nicely without the huge cost of return.

 

Eflin has been bad lately

 

Kikuchi was pretty bad right before Houston acquired him last season. Verlander was mediocre before Houston traded for him in 2017.

 

Always remember that teams do not throw out a larger body of work to focus on a small sample size. They might use it to try and drive the price down - but Eflin finished top 6 in CY voting just two years ago, and he's only 31.

My big issue with him - and perhaps the Astros': he doesn't appear to have swing-and-miss stuff, which they seem to value.

 

Yeah Eflin is a pass for me

 

I agree, I don’t really think Eflin would be a target for Houston. Merrill Kelly seems like a fit. It would not shock me to see Houston swing big and go get Freddy Peralta. Soroka is a dark horse with strikeout stuff, as is Edward Cabrera.

 

You mean he has been Eflin horrible.

 

The most recent reports on Javier, Arrighetti, Garcia, and France have all been positive.

Javier and Arrighetti profile as potential playoff starters.

Javier, Arrighetti, Garcia, and McCullers could all be back and in the rotation by the deadline.

I do not see the Astros using resources to bring in another SP.

If they do, it will be very late, within a couple of days of the deadline, and because either setbacks or slowing of progress to multiple guys above, or new injuries.

A lefty bat is the priority.

 

“I’ve seen this episode before….” (Back to the future reference)

They have too many starters… trade Framber at deadline.

 

They have too many adequate starters - trade Gusto or Gordon or Walter.

But this team can not afford to lose Framber

 

I would like to see us go for an impact bat.

Staff seems pretty good and should be getting back at least two quality starters out of McCullers, Javier, Garcia and Spaghetti.

 

Our starting pitchers will fail us as the season progresses. Banking on LMJ, Spaghetti or even Javier to save us when Gusto, Gordon and Walter go back to managing their fast food chains will not go well.

 

They don't need to "save us" - all they need to do is get back healthy and pitch like a #3/4/5. Arrighetti definitely shouldn't be an issue given his injury. Even if only one out of LMJ and Javier make it back, they'll be fine with one of those other guys as the #5.

I obviously would like to see them trade for a starter. That said, I'd rather have an above average bat though if it is one or the other.

 

I don't see them doing that this year. LMJ is unreliable already and Javier may very be a walk machine with 5+ ERA trying to find his groove. We definitely need a good starter added to this team.

 

I know for a fact tbe Astros have asked or spoken about half these guys… and yeah, most of them have been top level starters of at least playoff starting pitchers.

 

I really want Freddy Peralta. It'll be the 3 headed monster part 2. And insurance if Valdez leaves for next season. Also I've seen someone on here throw Turang's name out. Add more to have him included and the call it a day.

 

Astros like Peralta a lot - for several reasons.

 

Why would the Brewers sell since they are in the thick of a the playoff race? If they do sell, they would get a crazy haul for him since he has a club option for only 8 million next season. It would command a proven players and some top prospects.