I wrote what I thought were the three Astros Trades that I thought could save the season and propel the Astros to the World Series.
Those three trades went together. I would not have done trade 3 without doing trade 1.
Now I will give you other ideas. These are all one-off deals that may actually be better or worse depending on your perspective. This will probably be a growing list that I add ideas I like too.
Here are my ideas for other possible Astros trades. I should say these are meant to illustrate the kinds of players it would take. I love the Astros players. Please don't be offended if I trade your favorite.
IF the Padres are Sellers
Astros Receive- Blake Snell, Josh Hader
Padres Receive- Jake Meyers, Brandon Bielak, Low Level Pitching prospect
Baseballtradevalues.com - Astros minor overpay
Why the Padres do this deal- The Padres only do this if they decide to shed payroll this year. they are a couple of bad weeks from making that call. The Padres also do this to have a long term fourth OF.
Why The Astros do this Deal- They get a Postseason starter in Snell. They get potentially the best LHRP in the MLB. Hader and Snell would BOTH be rentals.
A win win with the DBacks
Astros Receive- Carson Kelly
Diamondbacks Receive- Martin Maldonado, Corey Julks, Seth Martinez
Baseballtradevalues.com - Trade Accepted
Last year, Click traded for the solution at catcher.
Kelly is projected to hit 0.709 OPS/ 92 wRC+. In a timeshare with Diaz that would be excellent.
Comparison of catchers
| Proj GS/ PA | OPS Proj | wRC+ Proj | WAR Proj | Def WAR Proj |
Kelly | 35/140 | 0.709 | 92 | 0.6 | 2.4 |
Maldonado | 49/194 | 0.585 | 63 | 0 | 2.7 |
Diaz | 32/131 | 0.749 | 105 | 0.5 | 0.1 (impacted by DH/1B games) |
This one move would raise the projected TEAM OPS ten points and wRC+ by two. It would change the projected OPS by 83 and wRC+ by 19 for the catcher position. That is NOT insignificant. It would mean moving the catching position from the 24th in OPS to the 11th in OPS in the MLB.
Why would Arizona do this deal? Arizona is 19th in ERA and 19th in FIP. They will not be able to trade to fix that. IF Maldonado is half of the pitcher whisperer we keep being told he is (he's not), then his old pitching coach Brent Strom should want him more than anyone. If they believe he can help their pitching staff, then this trade would be a win-win.
Ok, I KNOW this won't happen. IF I was really the GM, I would do it just to force Dusty to stop playing Maldy.
Will the REAL Cody Belinger PLEASE stand up
Which Cody Bellinger is the real one? How does Cody Bellinger compare to McCormick and Meyers?
Bellinger | OPS | wRC+ | Def WAR |
2021-2022 | 0.611 | 69 | |
2023 YTD | 0.786 | 109 | 1.0 |
2023 Proj | 0.736 | 98 | 0.4 |
| | | |
McCormick (21-22) | 0.751 | 111 | |
McCormick (23) | 0.822 | 129 | 1.3 |
McCormick (23 Proj) | 0.715 | 101 | -0.4 |
| | | |
Meyers (21-22) | 0.671 | 87 | |
Meyers (23) | 0.693 | 95 | 6.7 |
Meyers (23 Proj) | 0.691 | 93 | 2.5 |
Which version of these players you think is real probably determines what you believe about the value of a Cody Bellinger trade. I honestly believe he can maintain his 1H pace. I believe a career McCormick is probably a truer McCormick (114 wRC+. 0.763 OPS). I think the 23 and projected Meyers is close to the true Meyers.
This would lead one to believe that in a world where Brantley is not going to return soon or possible at all, that Bellinger would be an upgrade over other options at best and significantly improve the bench and pinch-hitting options at worst. Bellinger also has position flexibility to play both CF and 1B. That would be excellent injury insurance.
So, what would a Bellinger deal take?
This is one I just cannot accept the baseballtradevalues.com value of only 1.1 for Bellinger. He has a mutual option for 2024, and therefore, he could be a rental. I am going to plan for an intentional 3X overpay.
Astros Receive- Cody Bellinger
Cubs Receive- Kenedy Corona
Baseballtradevalues.com - Minor Overpay
Why the Cubs do this- If the Cubs know Bellinger is going to opt out, they may just do this deal to build their minor leagues.
I THINK this is the sort of deal Dana is working on. I have no sources other than what Dana himself has said.
Check back here for other REAL options.
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