Five key Astros trade deadline questions: Do they have enough to make a deal?

New York Times

5 days ago

Houston Astros GM Dana Brown's list of areas to address at the trade deadline seems to expand by the day as injuries mount. With the Seattle Mariners lingering and the Texas Rangers narrowing their deficit behind Houston from 11 games to four in the past few weeks, Brown's need to supplement the roster has grown even more urgent.
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To discuss the deadline and set up a crucial week for the club, Astros beat writer Chandler Rome hosted a live Q&A with The Athletic subscribers on Monday afternoon. Here are five key questions (plus a bonus one) that were asked and answered during the chat.
For more deadline coverage, read the full Q&A transcript, visit our Yankees section for new stories, or check out our live blog for the latest all week long.
1. What were the comments coming out of the organization yesterday following the sweep by the A's? Did the performance over that series change anything that the team was planning/looking into? — Robert G.
One thing that I don't think fans or the general public realize is how players, coaches and executives don't really wear the results of a game or weekend. The clubhouse wasn't jovial after any of the four losses, but no one was throwing chairs or calling team meetings, either. This is such a long season that guys will drive themselves crazy if they get caught up in the results from one weekend or series.
That said, the proximity to the deadline did add some intrigue to this weekend. Getting swept by the A's didn't change the Astros' deadline priorities — it just underscored what they are.
2. How real is the possibility that the Astros actually can't make a trade due to a lack of organizational depth and/or the need for the current second-tier players to round out the roster? — Lance S.
The Astros can make trades. Their farm system lacks top-end talent, but there is enough for them to make trades with any seller out there — it'll just hurt them far more than it would hurt a team with a deeper system.
You hit on a more pertinent question, though: Are any of these available players really worth mortgaging what little they do have? The quality of players known to be available is not great, certainly not anyone who will transform the trajectory of an entire season. The Astros' best acquisitions will be from their own injured list. That, however, won't stop them from making trades.
3. I believe you recently reported that Dana Brown had shifted his trade priorities to bats. Did Brandon Walter's injury change this again? — Michael S.
No. The Astros are still prioritizing offense. Walter had been a godsend for Houston's injury-depleted rotation, but the impending returns of J.P. France, Luis Garcia, Cristian Javier and Spencer Arrighetti will help to offset his loss. Javier and Arrighetti could each be back after their next minor-league rehab start. France isn't far behind, either.
The Astros are still searching for a right-handed leverage reliever and — if they find the right deal — wouldn't turn down a starting pitching upgrade. But, make no mistake, offense remains the focus.
4. What are the top position players you are hearing we are targeting? And is it possible to get them without giving up MLB-level players (not counting Hummel or Zack Short)? — Kyle E.
The Astros have checked in on basically every position player available, Kyle. Willi Castro is someone they like. They've talked about Eugenio Suárez. Many others are being discussed, too.
As far as what they'd need to give up, it really depends on what the trading team needs. Arizona has gotten three pitchers in exchange for the two players it has already traded and will be looking for more.
5. I feel like one trade won't make the Astros legit WS contenders with so many issues this season. I feel like Dana Brown should be realistic and consider trading Framber Valdez. He immediately becomes the best pitcher available and should bring the Astros some high-level prospects on offense to help them going forward. Thoughts? — Bradley R.
I could yell and scream, but I'll try to offer a different perspective on this. Think about the members of that Astros clubhouse who watched the front office trade their best player this winter, allow the clubhouse's leader to sign with an AL rival and then absorb 18 injuries once the season began. They've grinded and battled to get to 14 games above .500 and build a four-game AL West lead. According to FanGraphs, they have 87.3 percent odds of reaching the postseason.
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What message is being sent to them by trading Valdez? Thank you for your service, but we really wanted to make the Corpus Christi Hooks better this season. That is the easiest way to lose an entire clubhouse and watch a season unravel.
Given the way injuries and return from injuries have been handled the past few seasons (Kyle Tucker, Garcia, Yordan Alvarez, etc.), what is the likelihood that there is an overhaul of the training and medical staff in the offseason? — Robert G.
It has reached a point where the Astros are going to have to examine things this winter, Robert. I'm not sure what that will entail, but what has happened in Houston the last 24 months is not normal.
(Top photo of Joe Espada and Dana Brown: Troy Taormina / Imagn Images)