The Astros announced a lengthy slate of post-deadline moves Friday. Houston reinstated shortstop Jeremy Pena from the injured list and designated infielder Zack Short for assignment. The Astros also activated newly reacquired Carlos Correa and fellow trade acquisitions Jesus Sanchez and Ramon Urias, adding all three to the active roster.
In corresponding roster moves, Infield prospect Brice Matthews and outfield prospect Jacob Melton were optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land. The ’Stros also recalled righty Nick Hernandez to take the roster spot of righty Ryan Gusto, who was traded to the Marlins in the Sanchez deal. Finally, right-hander Nick Robertson was outrighted to Triple-A after clearing waivers. He’d been designated for assignment earlier in the week.
Pena wound up missing more than a month due to a fracture in his ribcage. He was in the midst of a breakout, MVP-caliber season prior to landing on the injured list. The 27-year-old has slashed .322/.378/.489 (143 wRC+) with 11 homers, 18 doubles, a triple and 15 steals in 350 plate appearances. He was also playing Gold Glove-caliber defense at shortstop, generating plus marks from Defensive Runs Saved (7) and Outs Above Average (4). He’ll return to his customary shortstop, while the newly reacquired Correa will slide over to third base in deference to the young shortstop who he mentored during the pair’s prior overlap in the Astros organization.
As for Short, he’ll be placed on waivers within the next five days now that the trade deadline has passed. He’s appeared in 22 games and taken 56 plate appearances with just a .220/.291/.380 output to show in that small sample. The 30-year-old Short has appeared in parts of five big league seasons and is a .172/.271/.296 hitter in 594 trips to the plate as a major leaguer. He’s a solid defender at multiple infield positions but is out of minor league options, so he’ll either clear waivers or have to stick on the major league roster of another club that claims him.
Here come the Mariners.
Is Stro the Astro the next move? Makes some sense.
Definitely could happen, 99. He’d have to sign for league minimum & he’d have a short leash with the guys we have coming back…but maybe our pitching staff could figure something out with him. Ryan Pressly could also be one to watch, but he’d have to clear waivers first…then also likely sign to league minimum, but he could potentially help with RH relief for the middle innings.
Think the Mariners are going to the World Series. Deep starting rotation, lethal back end of the bullpen, best all around catcher in baseball, young stars up and down their lineup (Jrod, Arozarena, Crawford) added the best available bat on the market to protect Raleigh (whom is top 5 in MLB in HR & RBI) – plus the best utility glove in baseball on their bench for defense. They also have a very promising farm system, drop a few sheckles on them – if you’re a bettin man.
Not this year, maybe next year for the M’s though.
Jp crawford a star? Thats wild my dude
Thinking your WS is legit is wild my dude.
That was a great team, won in 2022 too.
If you google who was the mlb champs in 2017 it just says Houston Astros. Seems pretty legit to me
And Gore won the presidency. That seems pretty legit to me.
Where does it say Gore won the presidency? It doesn’t because he didn’t. Try again.
Dang. Zack came up a little Short.
Be patient. Twins need a SS.
That job should be Brooks Lee’s now
Interesting that they refused to budge on Matthews with any team. They must see something in his power if they can bring the swing and miss down. That opinion must not have been shared about Loperfido last year.
Also, wrong Pena link. Same with Robertson
With the edition of Correa, they’re bringing Peña back as an RP.
What edition of Correa are they getting, though? The reprint, or the final chapter?
Agree with most of your take. I was kind of confused myself when we gave up 3 good pieces to continue to compete and build on for a 2 month rental. Then that rental went on to pitch to a sub 2.50 ERA. I think this trade deadline looks alot like what we did going all in on Grienke, Cole, and Verlander. Jim Crane did say he would go over the tax line “for the right player” but he blew right past it. This is why we continue to be competitive year in and year out. When was the last time we had so many really good players all on the same roster and able to single handily carry the team for a game or two? Buckle up Houston, we are back on the wild ride that is our Astros! If im not mistaken, none of the pieces are true rental players either. Hard part for Espada is going to get all those guys in the line up every night. Good problem to have for sure. And we really didn’t have to give up much of anything for the haul of players we did get. Solid move in my book. Definitely graded out as an A+ for this year’s trade deadline.
If you’re viewing it in the context of just 2025, it was a very solid deadline for the Astros, but I was surprised by some of the long-term pieces that were given up and wonder how the moves will age (particularly taking on Correa AND much of his salary). But flags fly forever–if you can win it this year and the new guys help, A+ for sure.
He’s a dynamic athlete with speed and power. And he’s got 6-7 years of control. Loperfido is not half as talented. I believe Brice was absolutely offered in the Cease talks but i would of asked for the moon if i was the pads. Imho it was a buyers deadline. Most every team save for san Diego kept their top prospects.
Teams trading their top prospects at the deadline seldom happens. The Padres moving one makes this an “exception to the rule” year.
Loperfido had PCL power. Matthews has actual power. Also much more positional value.
Correct, Rudy. Brice Matthews has star upside, there’s a lot similarities to Marcus Semien in the swing & twitchiness to Matthews in how their swings get through the zone. Yes, Brice will need a lot more development in the minor leagues…but there’s definitely something there that can be pretty exciting. Loperfido is more of a really good role player, who can play an above average CF, while also giving you reps at 2B if you really need it, or moonlight at 1B if you’re desperate. He’s more of a good floor player, as where Brice has way higher of a ceiling. Melton has high upside too, so I was glad to see he wasn’t traded. Wagner was tough to lose in that Kikuchi deal, as he would’ve gotten considerable time this year as a LH bat! It’s crazy that he actually just got traded again yesterday to the Padres, so he’s gotten traded at two deadlines in a row.
I think the comp is fair in that respect as much as he was able to barrel up big league pitching after his callup. Max exit velo of 109 according to Savant is a good sign for his ceiling
Wagner is basically a DH with minimal pop. He only offers value if he’s on a tear. The Astros got roasted for that trade for some reason and I never understood it.
I don’t really get the short leash their fans put the Houston management on. Brown seems like a good judge of MLB-translatable skills in his time there
That’s fair. I like Wagner as he has a sound approach & swing at the plate, but yes he does offer little defensive value as he’s a subpar defensive player. Like Loperfido, he’s a good role player & depth piece who’s a winning type player that you want to have on your roster…just maybe not in a full time starting role.
When will Houston place Paredes on the 60-day IL list?
It’ll be soon, whenever they need the 40 man roster spot…which they will very soon. Either for Arrighetti or others.
Houston has a 5 game lead in division and is getting healthy and has a long track record of success. Seattle has…a new 1b and 3b and may make the playoffs if they don’t hit the wall like they have every year since 1977. I will trust historical data in this case and look forward to another AL West title and 1st rnd bye.
Astros are having a gift give away next week in honor of correa. Instead of a bobblehead they are giving the First 5,000 fans a commemorative trash can
How original
He’s named after a character on friends. No way he knows a good joke
Chandler. Even as a diehard Astros fan that was a hilarious comment
Oscar The Grouch bobblehead night lol
I am calling it- Urias drives in the winning WS run on a walk off in game 6 against the Padres. He has that juice hitting in pressure situations.
FYI- O’s fan here.