The Astros trounced the division-rival Athletics on Monday to up their lead in the American League West to 7 1/2 games. With the AL’s second-best record (65-37), Houston doesn’t need much outside help, but general manager Jeff Luhnow is unsurprisingly considering upgrades as the July 31 trade deadline nears. Luhnow on Monday discussed a couple areas the Astros may be able to improve by the deadline. Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle was among those to cover his comments (Twitter links: 1, 2, 3).
As was the case two-plus weeks ago, Luhnow remains open to bolstering his team’s staff with “a playoff rotation starter.” However, as things stand, Luhnow believes the club “can win a seven-game series against any playoff team right now.” The Astros already have a built-in advantage going into a potential playoff series with superstars Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole atop their rotation. Soft-tossing lefty Wade Miley is a lot less exciting than either Verlander or Cole, but Miley has turned in a quality season in his own right. The rest of the Astros’ rotation is far less certain, though, especially with injured No. 4 starter Brad Peacock likely out until at least mid-August with shoulder problems.
The Astros’ rotation has handed off to a bullpen that’s currently devoid of a left-hander, which is something Luhnow could find in the coming days. But Luhnow isn’t discriminating based on a reliever’s handedness.
“(In the) bullpen, we think about the best relievers — we don’t care if they’re left or right — and being a good reliever in this league means you have to get both sides out,” he said. “We’re not really looking for a lefty specialist or a reliever just cause he’s a lefty.”
It’s worth noting that several of the Astros’ most notable relievers (Roberto Osuna, Ryan Pressly, Will Harris, Hector Rondon and Collin McHugh) have neutralized lefties this year despite lacking the platoon advantage. In all, the Astros’ bullpen has been a top-notch unit, ranking third in ERA, fourth in K/BB ratio and eighth in FIP.
Houston hasn’t been as fortunate behind the plate, where its catchers have combined for a meager 0.8 fWAR. Offseason pickup Robinson Chirinos started the year at a breakneck pace, but despite a three-hit game Monday, his production has plummeted in recent weeks. Furthermore, he’s not a well-regarded defensive option. As a light-hitting defensive maven, backup Max Stassi represents Chirinos’ polar opposite. Stassi has been borderline unplayable because of his toothless bat this year, though, which may have played a part in the Astros’ recent interest in Martin Maldonado. He’s now unavailable, having gone from the Royals to the Cubs in a trade last week, but the Astros haven’t stopped checking a thin market for catchers.
They need a catcher? How about Vogt for Kyle Tucker?
Sure, let’s do Whitley and Bukauskas for Joe Panik while we’re at it.
They wouldn’t give up Tucker for Realmuto. No way they’re giving him up for Vogt.
Are you sure?
No kidding. Sounds like a great deal.
Sarcasm!
I smell a Leake and Elias package deal coming
Neither one of them makes the Astros better. Mike Leake isn’t starting a playoff game. And Roenis elias sucks. MLBTR writes a piece about the guy and M’s fans can’t wait to unload him on every team. The guy has a 4.94 FIP and is giving up 1.7 Hr/9. There’s at least 7 better lefties on the trade market.
If it weren’t for a Tim Beckham missed pop up that for some reason was ruled a hit, his ERA would be below 4 currently.
He’s still letting 1.7 Hr/9 leave the yard and that has absolutely nothing to do w defense. Neither do the 3.5 Bb/9. Or the .327 xWOBA that actually lags his current .317 Woba.
Absolutely nothing special there. Other than the fact that he’s one of the best relievers in a terrible bullpen.
Wilson Ramos or James McCann?
Those were the first two realistic names I thought of too. Ramos + $2m could work. I’d love for the Mets to move him because the staff just hasn’t meshed with him.
san diego has 3 catchers.
Debatable…
Pedro Severino probably could be had cheap. He’s cost efficient and has remaining control. Been average to above on both sides of the ball. Previously highly rated. Orioles can bring up Wynns to replace him. Maybe even a package of Givens and Severino. Elias knows Houston’s system well enough to not require top guys.
What happened to Evan Gattis? sub par catcher but league average hitter with pop
Gattis is a pure DH and has not play since last year
I think the Astros have their eyes on a SP that no one has considered yet. I don’t think their top prospects are on the table… adding Correa later this month will be a major addition. The catcher can bat .200 and this lineup can still produce many, many runs… Tyler White was a regular on this team the past month for goodness sake!
Unless they can get a SP that they like with years of control to help mitigate Cole and Verlander’s near term departure I think they should go after Felipe Vazquez.
Cole is a free agent after this season, yes, but Verlander is locked up through 2021.
When Houston asks for Stroman, and they should, Jays can throw in Maile. Can’t hit a lick, can defend. Won’t be an added cost in a potential deal.
The Astros already have a catcher who can’t hit but has great defense in Stassi.
Jeff is starting to look more and more like old papa Joe Kennedy…..
The Astros have 30 year old Lorenzo Quintana from Cuba in their MiLB. He’s an extreme free swinger but with good power; not good at throwing out runners.
I think they will add a starter – if they do it will be someone controllable given Cole will be a free agent next year. A lefty reliever is probably the next biggest priority. I think catcher is less so, but if there is a veteran upgrade to Stassi who can be had for a reasonable price they’ll go for it.
I don’t think they care much about handedness. “Lefty reliever” has supposedly been on the shopping list for years but they never seem to bother getting one. They just keep adding guys that can get batters out on both sides of the plate.
Astros should just ante up and go get Syndergaard from the Mets. They will make him back into the unstoppable force he was. Verlander, Cole, Thor starting a series is just unfair.
Syndergaard with an organization with quality pitching coaches AND a solid foundation of scouting, development, and leadership…must be nice because the Mets are a dumpster fire on a runaway train, with no awareness that they are the one (ownership) that ultimately are causing their biggest problems. As a diedhard Mets fan I’d hate to see Syn leave, but the Astros have the kind of prospects that would make the trade palatable.
Also the mets scouts were at our triple A game yesterday where framber valdez started so maybe there’s something between us and the mets.
I would love for the Stros to get Syndergaard. He’s the only one on the market that’s worth Tucker.
As an Astros fan, I’d be completely fine giving up Tucker, Valdez and a few others for Syndergaard.
I don’t like it, but I’d do it too.
He is in a dream world if he thinks he has the pitching to win the WS.
I mean the 17 team won the WS without a closer and WO cole so I would not say he is in a dream world this team is arguably better then the 17 team.
Yes, I agree, but I’d love another starter.
Clearly they would be more comfortable with another high quality starter.
But this team has better pitching than many recent World series teams
Being very conservative:
Verlander games 1 and 5
Cole games 2 and 6 ( on extra rest)
Miley games 3 and 7
Astros win 4 of those 6 games 90% of the time vs almost all the teams.
This staff has the 3rd lowest ERA and lowest WHIP. Yes they can win.