If you haven’t yet, I recommend reading Daniel May’s post from earlier today, advocating for why the Astros should stand pat at the trade deadline. And, generally, I agree with that stance. Honestly, it is the most likely route, given Dana Brown’s job status and the organization’s lack of resources to address every single need. Heck, I’m not even sure they can address one adequately. This year’s trade deadline is shaping up to have a fairly high demand with limited supply, which will drive up prices. These Astros aren’t built at the moment, even if they’re able to absorb some money, to bid against most teams.
To be clear, I don’t expect the Astros to sell. There isn’t a feasible way for Dana Brown to sell unless he secures a new contract between now and next week’s trade deadline. I’d be surprised if that happens. Still doubtful because Jim Crane is the owner, though. Buying is more probable than selling, for better or worse. But it is difficult to argue against selling in this environment, in this market, for a team clearly lacking in numerous areas. I’m not kidding when I think the Astros could do well in trading a variety of players on the active roster.
Other than Yordan Alvarez and Jose Altuve (for different reasons), I think it is worth gauging the trade market for every player on the active roster. Jeremy Peña, who is under club control for only one more season, would bring in a haul. Yes, even Hunter Brown, who is still under club control, but only through the 2028 season. But Houston has a real opportunity to infuse some young, cost-controlled talent into the organization to create the next core. Frankly, right now, the organization doesn’t really have that talent in-house, barring the development of the more recent draft picks.
Realistically, I know that opportunity will pass the team by. With Dana Brown in the last year of an expiring contract, it isn’t likely he’ll sell and essentially seal his fate. The fault in that particular arrangement falls on Crane, who could’ve addressed this situation in the offseason with either bringing in a new general manager or locking up Dana Brown. Sometimes it is better to be a year too early than a year too late. The Astros might have to face the consequences of the latter, and it could prove painful.
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Dana Brown had opportunities to improve the team (we don’t know how independent he was to trade and sign up players) and the farm system now is in the same shape it was 4 years ago. Dana Brown inherited a WS champion and the Astros have not distinguished themselves in these last 4 years. We don’t know what we don’t know, but the results are not favorable to either DB or Espada.
History will not judge either fondly.
Brought in Verlander ’23, Graveman ’23, Kikuchi ’24, Correa ’25, Burrows ’26, Imai ’26.
Traded Tucker for Smith, Paredes, and Wesneski.
Other minor trades and acquisitions.
Rangers play the #1 team in the Al in the rays and the mariners play the #1 team in the NL in the dodgers, while the Astros play the Angels. HAVE to capitalize on this series.
In principle, I don’t disagree with doing nothing at the trade deadline. But I can see possible buying “on the margins,” which doesn’t cost much but has a low probability of changing the playoff odds. I would point to the Sanchez trade least season as a similar approach. May not really help that much, but it can be a gamble to maybe catch lightning in a bottle. I suspect that is the direction that Dana Brown goes before August 3. If Dana Brown were to take a bigger swing at the deadline, I would be worried. Because it probably means the Astros gave up too much from a weak farm system.