The Astros don’t have a ton of breathing room between their current payroll figures and the first tier of the luxury tax threshold — a line owner Jim Crane is once again reportedly loath to cross. With a prominent need in the rotation, they’ve been exploring both the free agent and trade markets. One scenario in play, per Ken Rosenthal and Chandler Rome of The Athletic, is to trade center fielder Jake Meyers for pitching help. Meyers is drawing plenty trade interest, per the report, and Houston brass is open to moving him if it’d mean adding a starter with multiple years of club control remaining.
The 29-year-old Meyers (30 next June) isn’t necessarily a household name, but the defensive standout is coming off a strong all-around season. In 381 trips to the plate, Meyers hit .292/.354/.373 with a career-best 8.1% walk rate and career-low 17.6% strikeout rate. He hit three home runs, 15 doubles and two triples and added 16 steals in 21 attempts.
Meyers’ power output in 2025 was a career-low, but he didn’t experience an especially alarming dip in his quality of contact. He averaged 88.1 mph off the bat, which is south of the league average but right in line with the 88.2 mph he averaged in 2024, when he hit a career-high 13 homers in 513 plate appearances. His 38.9% hard-hit rate was actually higher than the 37% mark he posted in ’24. Meyers hit more line drives and grounders in 2025, however. His 28.4% fly-ball rate was his lowest since 2022, and his percentage of fly-balls that left the yard — just 3.8% — was a career-low mark. A .353 average on balls in play boosted his production but also feels ripe for regression.
Even if there’s some regression in store, though, Meyers is a potentially impactful player when considering the totality of his skill set. He’s never posted a below-average (or even average) season in center in the eyes of Statcast, Defensive Runs Saved or Ultimate Zone Rating. In nearly 3500 career innings in center, Meyers has posted 22 DRS and 41 Outs Above Average.
Meyers has had elite sprint speed in the past, sitting as high as the 92nd percentile of big league position players as recently as 2023. His sprint speed wilted in a 2025 season that saw him endure a pair of IL stints due to calf injuries, though it still sat well above average (71st percentile). It’s feasible that with better health in his legs, his speed and defensive grades could trend upward. Notably, he’d already swiped 14 bags by the end of June but stole only twice more the rest of the way; his first IL placement due to a calf strain came in early July.
It seems fair to infer that Meyers wasn’t operating at full speed at any point down the stretch. He was out from early July through early September and hit just .204/.271/.204 in 59 plate appearances following his return from the IL. He was sporting a .308/.369/.405 batting line (buoyed by a .374 BABIP) at the time of his injury.
Meyers is controllable for another two seasons via arbitration. He’s also quite affordable, projected by MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz to earn just $3.5MM in 2026. His availability comes at a time when the center field market is otherwise paper-thin. Trent Grisham accepted his qualifying offer from the Yankees. Cody Bellinger is a free agent but is more of a corner outfielder/first baseman and occasional center fielder than an everyday option in center. Harrison Bader is a free agent but has an inconsistent track record at the plate. Free agents Cedric Mullins and Lane Thomas are pure rebound candidates. The trade market offers names like Alek Thomas and Jarren Duran, but the former has never hit in the majors and the latter played primarily left field in 2025. Duran would also have a steeper acquisition cost than Meyers.
Of course, trading Meyers would create a center field void for the Astros themselves. They got some nice production out of 25-year-old Zach Cole in his 15-game debut late in the season, but it’s worth taking with a heavy grain of salt. Cole hit .255/.327/.553 with four homers in just 52 plate appearances, but he also fanned at a 38.5% clip. If that alarming strikeout rate were unique to his big league tenure, perhaps it could be chalked up to simple small-sample noise — but that’s not the case. Cole went down on strikes in a colossal 35.1% of his 416 minor league plate appearances in 2025 as well. He punched out in more than 38% of his Double-A plate appearances in 2024, too.
Impressive as Cole’s brief debut was, he’s not going to be able to cut it as a big league regular with such a glaringly deficient hit tool. Former top prospect Jacob Melton gives the ’Stros another potential option, but he was limited to just 67 games between Triple-A and the majors thanks to injuries this past season. He hit very well in 150 Triple-A plate appearances (.286/.389/.556) and quite poorly in 78 major league turns at the plate (.157/.234/.186, 37.7 K%). Taylor Trammell, an older and more traveled former top prospect, didn’t fare much better in 135 plate appearances (.197/.296/.333).
The Astros gave 2023 first-round pick Brice Matthews nine games in center field at the Triple-A level last season. He’s traditionally been a middle infielder, but with Carlos Correa joining an infield mix that also includes Jeremy Pena, Isaac Paredes and Jose Altuve, there’s no room in the middle infield. Matthews hit .260/.371/.458 (118 wRC+) in 498 Triple-A plate appearances last year but just .167/.222/.452 with a 42.6% strikeout rate in 47 MLB plate appearances.
If the Astros feel confident that some combination of Matthews, Melton and Cole can hold down the fort in center field next season, then trading Meyers becomes easier to stomach. However, it’s also fair to wonder what type of arm Houston could acquire in return for Meyers. He certainly has trade value, but two years of a slick-fielding, light-hitting center fielder isn’t likely to net a pitcher who can fill the shoes of the outgoing Framber Valdez. The Astros could likely bring in a back-of-the-rotation arm or perhaps some kind of rebound/upside play with multiple seasons of club control, but even if they deepen the rotation by way of a Meyers trade, they’ll be counting on Cristian Javier and/or Lance McCullers Jr. to return to their pre-injury form after shaky 2025 comebacks.
Feels like there could be something here with the Mets
Agreed but I feel like Mets’ will try to leverage their farm to pry Buxton out of Minnesota. He said he was a Twin for life but who really knows?
Was about to say the same thing. Throw in one of those crafty LHRPs the Stros seem to have growing on trees.
Steven Okert, Bennett Sousa, Colton Gordon, Bryan King, Brandon Walter, and Josh Hader are the LHP. Walter’s expected return in ’27. Gordon is a swingman, and once they had 5 lefties in the bullpen. How do you go from no lefties to 1 million lefties?
Hader and Meyers for Senga and $3M
Mets get their closer to replace Diaz and a CF to hold place until Benge or whoever else can take over.
Astros get a SP and free up almost $10M on luxury tax cap space
Astros will want more than Senga and $3M for those two
Astros would want a haul for Hader. Not even sure McLean will fit the haul.
Hader has a full NTC, also a blown shoulder.
Rumors say, the Mets are an option.
Senga for Meyers? Who has to add something? Houston could actually use McNeil, too.
So maybe Senga, McNeil and around $10 million for Meyers and Enyel de los Santos.
Or just take Walker off our hands.
Mets have add?!? If Senga is right, he’s much more valuable than Meyers.
Senga for Meyers and Sousa. Mets throw in some $.
Senga, McNeil +$10 m for Meyers and Bryan Abreu.
The Astros could get more for Abreu elsewhere.
@bbgods the Trashtros want to clear payroll, not add to it. Senga and McNeil would add about $30M to their payroll, so the $10M your sending doesn’t do much.
Like @noquarter89 mentioned, the Mets would need to pick up Walker, or Hader if they send Senga.
They’re not trying to clear payroll, they’re trying to address their needs without crossing the CBT, which they’re limited on space to do. We could easily afford Senga and McNeil with a $10m discount, though moving Walker instead would be preferable. Personally I would love Meyers and Walker for Senga and McNeil, plus maybe a little cash or the Mets take Jesus Sanchez too.
And to do that they need to clear payroll.
Walker seems like dead weight now. I wouldn’t take him if I were running the Mets. I would check out the cost of Willson Contreras tho. I like that fit better.
He still hit almost 30 homers and drove in almost 90 runs.
(27 HR and 88 RBI)
His 2nd half was right in line with his career numbers. And he’ll be a substantial defensive upgrade from Alonso. I only want to get rid of him cause we just have no viable way of fitting our best 9 on the field together long term. Isaac Paredes needs to be our 1B.
Same
Here’s a slightly unhinged proposal.
Astros get: Kodai Senga, Jeff McNeil, and Tyrone Taylor
Mets get: Jake Meyers, Christian Walker, and Jesus Sanchez
Astros fill their biggest need for starting pitching, unjam their glut of infielders and resolve their 2B situation, get more left-handed in the lineup, and have enough money left below the CBT to add a back of the rotation starter. Tyrone Taylor adds some insurance as a 4th OF/platoon option for Zach Cole or Jacob Melton.
Mets get their CF, a Pete Alonso replacement, 2 major defensive upgrades, and consolidate 2 bad contracts into one. Jesus Sanchez gives them outfield depth with some upside for incase they strike out on both Tucker and Bellinger.
I could see the Mets do that.
Teams interested in Meyers
Royals
Mets
Phillies
Rays
Dbacks
Orioles
That’s a lot of bidders for Jake and I would be surprised if none of them offer controllable starting pitching talent for Meyers. What might each team offer?
I think KC should be interested, and has several 3/4-type starters they could deal, starting with one of the guys they got from the Padres at the trade deadline – Ryan Bergert or Stephen Kolek.
I would also add the Guardians to that mix. Seems like the type of hitter they go for and they have pitching to deal from…
The Astros traded them Miles Straw for Phil Maton and some throwing guy named Diaz.
I’m waiting for the Phillies fans to come on here to offer Nola.
They could offer Nola even though he would likely decline the trade.
I agree, but the chemistry in the clubhouse has come under some scrutiny, and he would be closer to home. Would be crazy, but can’t see him leaving Philly.
@crepu – What specific chemistry issues are you referring to?
I’m not sure there are any, and actually don’t think there are, but something felt different this year compared to other years. I’ve heard a few suggest that, and just curious if it goes beyond the Castellanos attitude. And hearing Harper express disappointment with DD at the end of the year…who knows.
So, in other words, nothing to see here.
No clubhouse is perfect, but the Phils are known to be a very close-knit group overall in the past few years.
Yeah, here’s what’s different with the chemistry, when you lose like dogs in the playoffs four years in a row, there is no chemistry. Especially, when the same product is run out there each time expecting a different result. The team needs a change. I’d trade or move whoever can get the Phillies younger, more competitive and back to contending not just showing up. I’m surprised no one brought up Walker’s name and castellanos for the typical our trash for your treasure fan boy trade.
But an outfield of Meyers, Bader and maybe Bellinger is a nice set up.
If they don’t resign Schwarber, they can go after Alonso and Bregman.
Trade Bohm for a reliever if it can happen. Alonso and Harper split time at 1b and DH. I’d also look to trade/package painter to Minnesota for Joe Ryan if they traded Nola.
The roster needs a change.
Don’t forget Crawford. But that’s what I’m saying about the clubhouse. You come up short again like that….
So, you’re suggesting a trade of Castellanos and Walker for Meyers? You kind of lost me after dogs with no chemistry just showing up.
When I see that type of comment (dogs with no chemistry), the rest of the post is put in the clearance aisle.
Thanks for your take. Sorry it doesn’t align with your thoughts.
Come up short or the Phillies? Even if you love the dancin on my own, day care and Schwarber fest chemistry what has it gotten them. Time to shake it up.
The Orioles don’t need him so their interest is simply to feel out the market or overstated.
They have outfield trade candidates themselves, who they are likely trying to gauge general value in the current market to see what they can do trade wise to acquire a starter. If they trade from their current major league depth chart in the OF, the fit would be more intriguing with Meyers
Im not really sure he moves the needle enough to get a significant upgrade in the rotation over what we already have.
I’m sure they would. Getting a 30 year old glove first CF for a decent starter? Good luck with that.
@redmatt
What team are you a fan of?
107wRC+ with a .293/.354/.373 ain’t bad man
Brandon Sproat or something like that?
Personally think Sproat is too much for Meyers.
lol. Meyers coming off a career year (that wasn’t that great) isn’t going to fetch a top 100 prospect.
He has had 1 year of 100 games with an above average offense and yes it was last year but that ain’t great.
Lot of time missed with calf injuries approaching 30 is concern when D is his calling card. That’s 5th starter caliber trade bait when market favors seller of pitching.
He did only have a .475 OPS in his return from a two month injury. His offensive year was really anchored by a strong month of May and then being hit right before injury.
He had a better May in 2024 just with more games it had more time to fall towards career norms.
In less than 110 games. He”ll turn 30 with a career 90 ops+. Can’t imagine many teams would say…I need to give up a #3 starter to get that.
You’re a Meyers hater.
Nah, there’s nothing to hate, guy.
I’m just saying they don’t see anything in Meyers. And also the Astros don’t want No. 3 starter. Just controllable talent (something along the lines of that).
The market for CF is so weak this year they may get something. I agree though I wouldn’t offer much for Meyers.
Correction:
The market for CF is so weak this year they will get something. I agree though I wouldn’t offer much for Meyers.
True
Guardians make sense too.
After trading Straw for Diaz/Maton I’m sure that the Astros would love to do business with the Guardians again
“Guarded Indian”… love it man!
Meyers is just a solid ball player! I know in trades you have to give to get. And losing him via trade might be hard to swallow.If I was looking for CF help I’m calling Houston today. If Meyers isn’t available who else is out there I like Mullins in a bounce back guy his defense is fantastic always a fan of him! Bader is a mixed bag but when he’s healthy I would take him for OF help. Hopefully a week from today the winter meetings is very active it’s my favorite week of the winter. I have feeling this year we will see some big overpays and a lot of trades HUGE trades Skubal is gonna get moved I wonder if Detroit is trying to keep him on big deal or is his agent saying he won’t do extension til he is free agent …..Skenes name will be mentioned but not going anywhere just yet!
All the Astros news I can find is Jake Meyers rumors. I have a feeling he’ll be moved sometime during the Winter meetings.
Too many question marks for teams, if the Astros sell low on him then teams are interested that goes for everyone which is why there’s so few talent for talent trades. Talent for prospects are easier to make because teams are less picky on what they get back and are more motivated to get rid of salary
The Astros won’t sell low on him, otherwise they won’t trade him at all.
He’s just not that good. Don’t see other teams having much interest coming off of his best year, that wasn’t anything special.
Like it or not. Jake Meyers has some value.
1. Control
2. Defense
3. Breakout season
4. Lack of CF in market
Some value does not mean a lot of value. Rather sign Bader than give up something worthwhile to get Meyers
Okay. The Mets have money to get Bader. But whatta about the Rays/Dbacks or some of the other small market teams.
He’s a 4th outfielder on a good team. What kind of starter can you expect to get for that?
On Mets. MLB.com says that Tyrone Taylor, Juan Soto, Jin Hwan Bae, Nick Morbito and Jared Young.
Bae batted less that .10o and was a waiver claim.
Soto is Soto, but you still have 2 positions to cover. Morbito hasn’t made the MLB and who knows if he can be an everyday player. Tyrone Taylor batted .248 in ’24 and .223 this season. Jared Young has been going up and down and struggled this year.
So on the Mets, are you sure he’s a 4th outfielder.
Brewers might offer Carlos Rodriguez as a starting pitching option for him. CRod is a buy low with control and has had good numbers in the upper minors til last year, is a starter, and has lots of control.
You left off Jeff McNeil who, at this moment, is probably the starting LF. But you’re right. Even then, Meyers is either the starting or, at worst, platooning in CF.
is a player’s batting average the only thing that’;s of interest to you?
Do you think the Mets are going into the season with their current group? They can sign Tucker or Bellinger. They could sign both. Meyers has a solid glove. Dime a dozen. One average season does not make him a starting caliber outfielder on a good team. Just my opinion
Any team has a starting pitcher. The Mets didn’t make the postseason, meaning they need to add more. Meyers could be added.
Mets didn’t miss the post season because of a lack of 4th outfielder. They missed because they needed starters. Maybe Meyers gets you a rookie ball guy. Maybe I’m wrong. Hope we see.
We’ll see. A move will likely come more towards the winter meetings. A player that can be good defensive outfielder gets more than plain ROK guy.
I think I know that if Meyers is traded what they’ll get back but there’s a lot of haters than say Meyers won’t get anything, so I’ll wait and see.
Who’s going to trade a ML ready starter for that?
I say keep Meyers and get a FA pitcher otherwise who is playing center field?? It won’t be McCormick you already let him walk!
Jacob Melton/Zach Cole.
Both are poised for breakout
In center field??
Senga – 2 years at 14 millions plus option 2028 for Meyers.
That was my first thought too. It’s nuts how variable the potential returns on this deal could be and it may hinge on the health of 4 collective calves lol
This move could make either franchise look like an idiot or genius 12 months from now.
Also is $14M too much for the Astros looking to reduce?
Would either side consider Peterson?
14 minus 3.5 million for Meyers salary. Plus Peterson is not controllable at all.
The Astros don’t want Peterson. The Astros want a younger pre-arb like player or something.
Mets could get better for Senga even if he’s a #3 guy that may not be reliable for greater than 20-25 starts. There are a lot of teams not looking to pay big guarantees to this year’s FA class for SP’s.
Good point.
With the Astros looking to reduce payroll, adding another $10 mil for Senga is too much for them.
Meyers fits well for the Mets, but I don’t think they have the pitching to match up on this deal. They’re not giving up on a prospect with 5+ years of control for 2 years of Meyers. And the Mets vets cost too much for the “Stros. Peterson might be in the middle, but he’s a free agent, so provides zero years of club control.
Peterson has one year of arb left
And that year is 2026. Peterson is a free agent after this season. Forgive me for being less than clear, but… the fact that the Mets even have him to trade inherently means he is not now a free agent. So my saying, “… he’s a free agent..’ means he is a free agent after 2026 rather than now.
What if the Astros send Hader along with Meyer for Senga.
They’ll save about 8.5M and get a solid replacement for Valdez
That one deserves real consideration from both sides.
The Astros are trying to compete in 2026 (at least Dana Brown and Jim Crane are). So they won’t trade Hader.
@geofft
Hader is untouchable. Not sure how many of you are Astros fan. For those who are not, Hader is untouchable.
Astros 27 not to sound like a jerk but Hader is not untouchable just like 99.9% of the of the MLB ….
Some team may make offer they can’t refuse….
No worries Yankees in Chicago
I don’t think you sound like a jerk. Yes they can make an insane offer. But now I’m not trying to sound like a jerk @SoCalBrave that offer is not going to net Hader or any other RP on Hader’s level.
That’s not the way Astros save on payroll SoCalBrave.
Hader NTC says he is untouchable.
They’re not trying to -reduce- payroll, they’re trying to address their needs without going over the CBT. They don’t have enough room under that threshold to do so at the top of the free agent market.
You seriously can’t expect a great return
Jake Myers for Kris Bubic?
As a Royals fan I would hate to lose Bubic for next year. And if he repeats last year he will net the team another first rounder when he declines the Qualifying Offer for 2027.
But Myers comes with two years control. I think the Royals would take a long look at this offer.
KC needs some offense in that OF even if it’s at expense of some defense. Bubic rental or another SP they trade with more control can get Witt Jr some lineup assistance. He and Ramirez in Clev have to do too much.
Bubic for Meyers? If you’re seriously proposing that, you can’t be a Royals fan. Two years of control. Oh wow, that’s like such a long time.
I think he’s a WSox fan.
Not sure Myers is gonna produce much in the way of pitching help, Although it may bring back a warm body, the Astros kind of have those.
Wow. Jake Meyers. How generous. Wow.
I bet they would like to trade their center fielder coming off a career best year!
The Angels need a CF. But Houston isn’t dealing him to a AL West Rival
Yeah, that awesome Jake Meyers…could really come to bite Houston in the behind if they dare move him to an AL West rival.
Pirates need outfielders and have a Mitch Keller to spare… I don’t know Meyers well enough to know if that’s a workable deal or not.
Not enough
Astros take that deal
Keller for Meyers?
I think that’s workable but the Astros may need to add a prospect to that.
The pirates would for a young ML ready outfielder but I don’t think Meyer
They seem to move outfielders every year during off season and at deadline like the can grow them on a tree. Haven’t really kept one around for 6 or 7 years since Springer left as a FA.
Jesus Sanchez started 8 games in CF last year, and he’s still on the roster.
Oh please. A middling middle reliever at best.
I don’t see the value in Myers. Seems to be an average player that will be on the wrong side of 30 this year.
I can’t imagine another GM giving them anything other than a back of the rotation guy.
@radhippo.
His defense, and his breakout season boosts his value. Plus the lack of center fielders in the FA market. Also, bidders may boost his price. They are looking for a pre-arb SP or something like that.
With his OBP, I wouldn’t trade for this guy. He’s Myles Straw lite.
Myers will be traded for a pitcher selected during the rule 5 draft.
How about this 2 trades including Jake Meyers.
1. Houston Astros trade outfielder Jay Meyers to the New York Mets for outfielder Prospect Carson Benge. Benge bats Left-handed the Astros is looking for a Left handed hitter.
2. Houston Astros trade outfielder Jay Meyers to the Cincinnati Reds for Pitcher RHP Brady Singer.
I would love both of those trades to happen. But Carson Benge is worth infinite more than Meyers.
I don’t think it’s crazy to consider Peña in CF if the Astros trade Meyers. The move would open up the infield for Paredes/Correa/Altuve/Walker and allow Yordan to DH more often by playing one of the other OF in LF (Cole or Melton).
“Impressive as Cole’s brief debut was” is NOT proper English. You can’t just leave “as” out to start the sentence because you feel like it. Proper grammar isn’t optional. Also, there should not be a comma before “too.”