MLBTR’s team-by-team look at the upcoming deadline continues with the Astros. They're yet again in pole position in the AL West. Payroll might be an obstacle this summer, but they're in a familiar position as a deadline buyer.
Record: 45-33 (89.6% playoff probability, per FanGraphs)
Buy Mode
Potential needs: Left-handed bat, rotation depth, second base
Dana Brown gave us an easy starting point for the Astros' deadline outlook. Houston's general manager said over the weekend that the front office is already scouring the market for a left-handed hitter. That would have been easy enough to infer from a look at the roster. The Astros have the most right-handed lineup in recent history. They've given more than 2500 plate appearances to righty hitters this season (not including switch-hitters against lefty pitching). The second-place Angels are more than 400 PAs behind Houston, and no other team has even reached 1900. They're on pace to surpass the 2022 Blue Jays for the most plate appearances for right-handed batters in a season this century.
The flip side, of course, is that they've given a staggeringly low 175 plate appearances to pure left-handed hitters. Victor Caratini is their only switch-hitter of note. Yordan Alvarez should be back at some point, but he's coming up on two months since he fractured his right hand. Opponents have unsurprisingly thrown more right-handed pitchers at Houston than at any other. It hasn't stopped them from having success so far, but they'll obviously prefer to have more balance as they look ahead to potential playoff series.
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Unless they are willing to go over the tax, I dont see how they really address any of their needs with decent players.
Give the Guardians a call. They should be in sell mode soon and have plenty of left handed bats. Carlos Santana is a cheap switch hitter and for the right deal I’m certain they’ll listen for offers on Kwan. Controllable and cheap and prime for departure from Cleveland
I bet they’d want Wilyer Abreu back
Technically true, but they did win the WS that year with Vazquez.
Ryan McMahon could solve LH bat/2B, while he is owed $32 million over the next 2 seasons the Rockies might kick in some cash for the salary relief.
Rotation depth can be trickier but maybe lightning strikes twice and they get a guy who is struggling (like Kikuchi last year) and watch him take off
How do they keep winning with only two starting pitchers and no Yordan ?? And sub-subpar Christian Walker?? And smoked out Altuve?? I guess it’s the Brown/Framber/Peña/Meyers/Hader smoke and mirrors dog and pony show, coming soon to a venue near you.
Bingo.
Astros big acquisitions are on their own IL – Alvarez, Mcculler, Arighetti, Decenzo. A lefty PH makes sense if they can find a cheap bench threat (not Singleton!).
The fact that they have signed Singleton sends a signal that they are shopping for bargains. That rarely delivers results.
Bargain shopping got them the win tonight…a la COOPER HUMMEL