The Astros had a very active day on Monday, bringing in a pair of veteran position players in Trey Mancini and Christian Vázquez and reportedly agreeing to swap Jake Odorizzi with the Braves’ Will Smith. Houston isn’t finished trying to bolster the roster before the deadline, however, as Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic reports (Twitter link) they’re on the hunt for center field help.
Houston general manager James Click has already checked off what very well may have been the club’s three biggest needs this summer — first base, catcher and left-handed relief. Center field is arguably the final area the front office should target, as the club has gotten just a .200/.262/.342 showing out of the position. Jake Meyers has struggled since returning from the injured list, and José Siri underwhelmed before he was dealt to the Rays as part of the three-team deal that brought back Mancini. Chas McCormick has played well for a second straight season, but he’s seen a bit more time in the corner outfield than in center this year.
The Astros have reportedly inquired about Pirates star Bryan Reynolds in the past, and Rosenthal recently floated the idea of Houston dangling some of their controllable starters to the Orioles in an attempt to pry away Cedric Mullins. Both players seem unlikely to move over the next 16 hours, but the Astros potential interest in both demonstrates the club has explored the possibility of an impact center field pickup for a while.
Assuming both Reynolds and Mullins stay put, the trade market at the position isn’t especially robust. Oakland’s Ramón Laureano would be the top player who’s likely to be available, but it’s hard to envision the Astros making a run at him. Not only could the intra-division rivalry complicate a trade, the Astros dealt away Laureano as a prospect for a minimal return, and there’s been no love lost between the A’s and Astros over the past few years.
Kansas City’s Michael A. Taylor and the Cubs Rafael Ortega are the only other center fielders who placed among MLBTR’s top deadline trade candidates. Other players who could conceivably be available include the Nationals Víctor Robles and, if the Giants decide to retool at the deadline, Mike Yastrzemski.
So here is the Flyer I think they should take.. he is a bit Raw… But Nick gordon… I think playing most every day will improve him defensively and offensively… and the twins.. well they need pitching…
My brother in Christ you just traded away the center field help to the Rays
Siri, Meyers, and McCormick are all 4th outfielders. None of them move the needle. I liked Siri the most as a pinch runner/ defensive sub, but the guy can’t big league pitching. I hope he figures it out with Tampa
How about that José Siri guy?
Siri wasn’t help, he was hindrance. I like the Nick Gordon idea.
He hits like Alexa.
I hear Joey Gallo’s available?
Don’t be callow.
I hear that the only way the Yanks can dump Gallo is if they include Volpe.
They could call the Rockies and talk shop for Grichuk. He’s got some good range, has played fairly well this year, is a 20 homer candidate.
I would love for the Rockies to trade one of Grichuk, Daza, or Hilliard because there is a glut of OFs on the team right now. With Cron having 1B locked up and Bryant, Blackmon, and Joe usually having the corners and DH locked up, there is really one spot left for the three. A trade might not happen due to Bryant’s foot problem, but I’d like to see it.
Houston has a pitcher named Alex Santos that really fits the Rockies profile to a tee.
A Rockies fan would like to see them trade some talent at the deadline? But that would mess up their plan of never contending.
Brett Phillips
Derek Hill has been dfa’d as well.
The Astros should target Hill.
jackie bradley? i could care less what they get back, just get him outta my life
i think you meant, couldn’t care less. could care less means there is room for more.
Preach!
Guy could at least give them defensive production down the stretch
Think that Houston should go after Tyronne Taylor of the Brewers for Forrest Whitley
Yep. Seems like a foregone conclusion that the Crew will give the new guy Ruiz a shot at regular CF quite soon. Taylor has some power, but I think we’ve seen his ceiling- a league average or slightly below CFer.
Yes, Whitley has been a top prospect forever, but has never made the jump to the Big Leagues for various reasons. Let’s dump him Astros.
Technically the most honest team in MLB because they admitted to “cheating” while every other MLB team cheats but pretends they don’t.
Nah, that’s not how that works.
Cheating Trashstros.
they ‘admitted’ 3 seasons later, after a former player threw them under the bus, and youtube compilations got posted.. and after the league invested
Same way with Ryan Braun
The Royals didn’t cheat to win their World Series.
I use to hate the Astros but then they gave us CF Myles Straw last year.
Recently the Astros have been playing Jake Myers there. Not much of a hitter, but he can run down baseballs. The problem is his arm. It’s weak and inaccurate. Teams run on him, especially at critical points in games. Can’t go into the playoffs with him in CF.
Jake Meyers is ( was / will be again?)a complete player who could run, hit, and throw last year.
In the ALDS vs Chicago last year he tore his labrum extending his arm over the fence trying to rob a homerun in CF.
He is not fully healed or at least regained his strength. His throws are much weaker ( 6 mph slower) than last year and he has not been accurate ( I assume due to over throwing to make up for it) and his HR power is also absent.
I expect he will be recovered by next year and be a complete player again. These things take time.
But to win a World Series this year the Astros need an upgrade.
Like the brand new Trashtro 3000!!
Why did they trade Straw?
Because he’s not very good lol. The dude came out the gate like gang busters but crashed back to Earth hard playing more like Myles Straw. I feel like Cleveland jumped the gun a bit extending him.
Straw is a great clubhouse guy with great speed and good glove, no power
The Astros had Chas McCormick and Jake Meyers who were /are just as good and allowed them to
1) get a RP for a weak bullpen
2) get a C/1B prospect with a plus plus bat who compares to Carlos Santana.
Astrosfn1979;
Very good.
In all comments I’ve read but the Straw / Maton trade, no one seems to realize that Yainer Diaz was a main reason the Astros did it. He’s hit throughout the minors. He’s the typical young Astros position player that can hit but doesn’t have a position, till they work with him to find one.
It’s actually a terrible omen to compare anyone to Carlos Santana unless he grades an 80 on guitar chops.
I’m sure they could pry Odubel away from Philly for the right price.
A used bat is a good price for Odubel
That’s an overpay…
How about Adam Engel of the White Sox? Top caliber defense, streaky offense.
Ian Happ has played a respectable CF in the past… Cubs can always use young arms
Michael A Taylor is good for them. Or we can give them heredia and the Braves could make a move for Ian happ…
If the Astros can’t get Reynolds, what about Ian Happ?
Can Happ play CF well? I thought he’s more of a LF at this point.
Stris should consider Reynolds, Happ, or Taylor. D. Hill not a consideration! Not much of a bat
You don’t know that.
Tigers will gladly give you back Daz Cameron for JV!
Myles Straw
Trent Grisham is for sale, let’s talk.
I doubt that Mullins is unobtainable. It’s probably the case that the Astros are not willing to part much in the way of prospects for him.
Dusty has a history with Michael A Taylor, which included coaching up MAT one season. It will be interesting to see whether or not the Stros really go after him. Despite his inconsistency in the past with the Nats during the regular, he was a solid postseason contributor a couple times.
But will the Astros be willing to give up a decent prospect because if we traded him that is if the Royals traded him to the Astros, he still has another year of control because of his contract. so, we would want a decent Prospect. Heck I’d even take Jake Myers (He played for the University of Nebraska which is my home state’s team).
Michael Taylor brings gold glove defense, some speed and a decent bat. Wouldn’t cost a ton either.
Ian Happ can play center. He’s not a gold glover there but he’s adequate.
Should have kept Myles Straw — as good as any CF in MLB.
Going for a career as a comedian?
Straw is a very nice center fielder I agree. But the Stros are looking for someone with a bit more pop. They have him in Jake Meyers but since he came back from his shoulder injury he’s been tentative with his throws from the outfield and also not catching up with the high fastball. Both were a non-issue last year. He’s medically 100%, just needs to not be tentative. So, the Stros are in the market.
Both Taylor and Happ seem like candidates the Stros could pursue.
Astros and Yanks are fortifying their teams for postseason. Everyone else, but the Dodgers, is just trying to win their division or get in the tournament.
Stick Mancini in OF. Once Brantley comes back you have those 2 plus Tucker. Leave Gurriel at first and Alvarez at DH.