Astros Should Look to Upgrade Middle Infield, Cut Ties With Brendan Rodgers
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
The Houston Astros know they have a chance to win the American League pennant this season even ahead of the Detroit Tigers or whoever comes out of the AL East.
This is an Astros team that has dealt with a lot of injuries, but has a talented roster. One way the team can get even better is upgrading the middle infield and either demoting or cutting ties with Brendan Rodgers.
Rodgers has gotten most of his work at second base for Houston, but he's yet to make the most of it. His slash line as of the All-Star break is a mere .191/.266/.278 with two home runs and 11 RBI.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - JUNE 14: Brendan Rodgers #1 of the Houston Astros bats in the third inning against the Minnesota Twins at Daikin Park on June 14, 2025 in Houston, Texas.
HOUSTON, TEXAS - JUNE 14: Brendan Rodgers #1 of the Houston Astros bats in the third inning against the Minnesota Twins at Daikin Park on June 14, 2025 in Houston, Texas.He's only recorded 115 at-bats so far this season, so it's not the largest sample size in the world, but it's enough to show he isn't producing the way he should be for a contender.
The Astros only signed him to a one-year deal worth $2 million, so the organization wouldn't even be losing out on much if it chose to designate him for assignment.
Houston has been moving star Jose Altuve around between left field and second base. He's much more comfortable at second base, but the Astros have nobody else who can swing the bat well enough to play left. Cooper Hummell and Taylor Trammell, the other two outfield options, are hitting even worse than Rodgers.
Rodgers isn't getting it done, so the organization must do one of two things before the trade deadline passes: find someone to play second base and keep Altuve in left field or move Altuve to second base and acquire a left fielder.
If the Astros bring in an infielder, Ramón Urías from the Baltimore Orioles is versatile and has a little more pop in his bat. If they choose to push for an outfielder, Taylor Ward or one of the two Boston Red Sox outfielders who could be dealt (Jarren Duran or Wilyer Abreu).
Houston has played this jigsaw puzzle for far too long this year, and it's a game the organization can't continue to play heading into the playoffs.
More MLB: Dodgers Should Officially Cut Ties With Struggling $17 Million Outfielder
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Los Angeles Times
22 minutes ago
- Los Angeles Times
Angels star Mike Trout nearing 400 homers, 1,000 RBIs: ‘Milestones are awesome'
PHILADELPHIA — Mike Trout arrived in Philadelphia in time to catch the unveiling of a new target in the deepest part of the ballpark — the 2026 All-Star game logo, complete with the Liberty Bell in the center of the design. The Angels slugger has something to aim for in Philly. As a home run target? No, the oversized symbol that celebrates next year's All-Star game is raised well beyond the center-field wall and out of reach to even Schwarbombs in Ashburn Alley, closer to the retired numbers on the bricks at Citizens Bank Park. As a potential destination for next season? Making the All-Star game is more on the nose for Trout, an 11-time selection who hasn't been picked to play for the American League since 2023. Yet each time Trout plays in Philadelphia, just over 40 miles from the slugger's New Jersey hometown, talk tends to drift from All-Star games, his injuries, his upcoming career milestones -- he's closing in on 400 homers and 1,000 RBIs — or a rare Angels' push at the postseason, and lands right on the possibility he'll one day suit up for the Phillies. 'I hear it all the time,' Trout said with a laugh outside the Angels' clubhouse on Friday. 'Right now, I'm enjoying myself with this team in here. These guys come to the ballpark every day and play hard. It's hard not for me to see it, because I see it and hear it all the time.' He'll settle at least a crack at the 2026 All-Star Game. 'It would definitely mean a lot,' Trout said. Trout entered the start of a three-game series against the Phillies having the kind of season that has defined most of his last five seasons in California. When he's healthy, he's on. He has a .283 batting average, .433 on-base percentage and .478 slugging percentage with eight home runs and 23 RBIs in 41 games since he came off the injured list on May 30. Otherwise, it's more stints on the IL. This season, he was hampered by a bone bruise on his left knee that cost him time. Trout was the designated hitter on Friday night against the NL East champion Phillies, who could certainly use a right-handed bat with pop in the outfield as they make their own playoff run. He did some light pregame work in the outfield ('get my feet under me') and hoped he'd return to right field in the near future. Trout said his knee did feel 'a lot better' after four days off and off his feet over the All-Star break. 'I'm just happy to be in the lineup, contributing,' he said. 'Years past, it's just come to the ballpark, not be able to at least hit. That's been frustrating, that's been tough.' He again expected a full house of fans from his hometown of Millville, N.J., on hand to root him on as the three-time AL MVP started the game with 395 career home runs and 995 career RBIs. 'To think about it, it's just how fast it's going,' Trout said. 'Just trying to enjoy every minute of it. The milestones are awesome. I'm looking forward to hopefully getting them.' Trout would have blown by those numbers years ago had it not been for his injuries that have allowed him to play more than 82 games only once since 2019. 'Things happen,' he said. There are no guarantees he'll chip away at those numbers over the weekend — Trout has never gone deep at Citizens Bank Park. Trout has kept his ties to the area as he blossomed into one of baseball's great sluggers; his family still lives in the area, he collaborated with Tiger Woods on a new golf course, and yes, the Eagles season-ticket holder still bleeds Kelly green. The Angels were 47-49 headed into Friday, but only four games out of a wild-card spot. Trout played in three career playoff games in 2014. The Angels' 47 wins are the most for the franchise at the All-Star break since it had 49 in 2018. 'The team in there right now, we've got a great mindset,' he said. 'We've got a great group in there. We pass the baton at the plate. We're tough outs.' None tougher at his best than Trout. He's trying to become the 20th player in baseball history to hit his first 400 home runs with one franchise. 'This guy is a superstar,' Phillies manager Rob Thomson said. 'I saw him when he first came up and he hit the ball as far as you could think. He runs down the first base line, it sounds like a horse, just big and strong and fast.' Gelston writes for the Associated Press.
Fox Sports
22 minutes ago
- Fox Sports
Angels slugger Mike Trout is closing in on 400 homers, 1,000 RBIs with aim on the postseason
Associated Press PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Mike Trout arrived in Philadelphia in time to catch the unveiling of a new target in the deepest part of the ballpark -- the 2026 All-Star game logo, complete with the Liberty Bell in the center of the design. The Angels slugger has something to aim for in Philly. As a home run target? No, the oversized symbol that celebrates next year's All-Star game is raised well beyond the centerfield wall and out of reach to even Schwarbombs in Ashburn Alley, closer to the retired numbers on the bricks at Citizens Bank Park. As a potential destination for next season? Making the All-Star game is more on the nose for Trout, an 11-time selection who hasn't been picked to play for the American League since 2023. Yet each time Trout plays in Philadelphia, just over 40 miles from the slugger's New Jersey hometown, talk tends to drift from All-Star games, his injuries, his upcoming career milestones -- he's closing in on 400 homers and 1,000 RBIs -- or a rare Angels' push at the postseason, and lands right on the possibility he'll one day suit up for the Phillies. 'I hear it all the time,' Trout said with a laugh outside the Angels' clubhouse on Friday. 'Right now, I'm enjoying myself with this team in here. These guys come to the ballpark every day and play hard. It's hard not for me to see it, because I see it and hear it all the time.' He'll settle at least a crack at the 2026 All-Star Game. 'It would definitely mean a lot,' Trout said. Trout entered the start of a three-game series against the Phillies having the kind of season that has defined most of his last five seasons in California. When he's healthy, he's on. He has a .283 batting average, .433 on-base percentage and .478 slugging percentage with eight home runs and 23 RBIs in 41 games since he came off the injured list on May 30. Otherwise, it's more stints on the IL. This season, he was hampered by a bone bruise on his left knee that cost him time. Trout was the designated hitter on Friday night against the NL East champion Phillies, who could certainly use a right-handed bat with pop in the outfield as they make their own playoff run. He did some light pregame work in the outfield ('get my feet under me') and hoped he'd return to right field in the near future. Trout said his knee did feel 'a lot better' after four days off and off his feet over the All-Star break. 'I'm just happy to be in the lineup, contributing,' he said. 'Years past, it's just come to the ballpark, not be able to at least hit. That's been frustrating, that's been tough.' He again expected a full house of fans from his hometown of Millville, New Jersey, on hand to root him on as the three-time AL MVP started the game with 395 career home runs and 995 career RBIs. 'To think about it, it's just how fast it's going,' Trout said. 'Just trying to enjoy every minute of it. The milestones are awesome. I'm looking forward to hopefully getting them.' Trout would have blown by those numbers years ago had it not been for his injuries that have allowed him play more than 82 games only once since 2019. 'Things happen,' he said. There are no guarantees he'll chip away at those numbers over the weekend -- Trout has never gone deep at Citizens Bank Park. The New Jersey native has kept his ties to the area as he blossomed into one of baseball's great sluggers; his family still lives in the area, he collaborated with Tiger Woods on a new golf course, and yes, the Eagles season-ticket holder still bleeds Kelly green. The Angels were 47-49 headed into Friday, but only four games out of a wild-card spot. Trout played in three career playoff games in 2014. Los Angeles' 47 wins are the most for the franchise at the All-Star break since it had 49 in 2018. 'The team in there right now, we've got a great mindset,' he said. 'We've got a great group in there. We pass the baton at the plate. We're tough outs.' None tougher at his best than Trout. He's trying to become the 20th player in baseball history to hit his first 400 home runs with one franchise. 'This guy is a superstar,' Phillies manager Rob Thomson said. 'I saw him when he first came up and he hit the ball as far as you could think. He runs down the first base line, it sounds like a horse, just big and strong and fast.' ___ AP MLB: recommended Item 1 of 3
Fox Sports
22 minutes ago
- Fox Sports
Marlins' Connor Norby to miss 6-to-8 weeks after left wrist surgery
Associated Press MIAMI (AP) — Miami Marlins third baseman Connor Norby will be sidelined for several weeks after having surgery on his wrist. The procedure on Wednesday was to repair a broke hamate bone in his left wrist and was done by hand specialist Dr. Don Sheridan in Phoenix, the team said Friday. The recovery timeline is six to eight weeks. Norby felt wrist soreness during Miami's road series at Baltimore last week and was initially listed with wrist inflammation. The Marlins acquired Norby from Baltimore last summer in the trade that also landed first-time All Star Kyle Stowers in Miami. While Norby's tenure with the Marlins started strong — he hit .247 with a .315 on-base percentage while hitting seven homers in 36 games — his performance had been uneven this year, with a .241 average and .289 on-base percentage, six home runs and 26 RBI in 72 games. He was sidelined the first two months of the season with an oblique injury. 'Speaking with Connor in Baltimore, he felt like things were starting to come around,' manager Clayton McCullough said. 'He felt better about himself in the box. He felt like he was making some real strides defensively, and then not knowing at the time what the length of it was going to be and what it was. But he was sore. I think he was just more disappointed, if he was going to have to miss some time, he felt right now he was trending.' The Marlins will turn to Graham Pauley and Javier Sanoja in Norby's absence. Pauley has played 23 games at third base this season. Sanoja has played nine. Pauley got the start at third on Friday against Kansas City as Miami began the second half of the season with a six-game homestand. ___ AP MLB: recommended Item 1 of 3
