The Astros have spent enough of 2026 making people squint at the standings. They stumbled out of the gate, then steadied themselves enough to keep the conversation alive, and now Dana Brown is making one thing plain: Houston is buying at the deadline.
That plan only works if the Astros are willing to part with pieces of their own. And this roster has several players who either need a fresh start, no longer fit the direction of the club, or can be used to help the front office make a move that matters now.
Christian Walker is the easiest place to start. Trading him is less about dumping a bad contract and more about cashing out while there’s still something to cash out.
He’s 35, he’s owed real money into next season, and even though he’s had stretches that looked like the player Houston expected, the bigger picture hasn’t changed. The bat is declining, the glove is aging, and the Astros are in the kind of spot where a bold move at first base could help them find a small upgrade while recovering some value.
The return would be light, but the Diamondbacks may be interested in a reunion.
Bryan Abreu is another name that belongs in the conversation, and this one stings a little more. He was supposed to be the bridge to Josh Hader, the “second closer” who could steady things while Hader worked back from injury.
Instead, he’s been inconsistent all year. May offered some hope, but the overall season has been uneven.
With Abreu set to become a free agent after the season, Houston should be exploring a deal with a team that believes it can get him right for a late push. The return might not be flashy, but moving him could still make sense for everyone involved.
Then there’s Mike Burrows, and this is where the math gets ugly. Houston is not acting like a teardown team.
They’re trying to win now, and that means a rotation filled with starts that don’t go anywhere can’t keep holding the line. Burrows has disappointed for most of the season, and with the front office chasing arms like Casey Mize and reportedly involved with some of the biggest names, there’s no realistic path where Houston adds pitching and still keeps handing Burrows the ball every fifth day.
Whoever arrives by the August 3 deadline is going to take that spot. Burrows does have one thing going for him: he’s only a year removed from a strong season in Pittsburgh, so another club could still see real value beyond 2026.
Brice Matthews is the kind of player a contender can use in a deal without needing him to be the headliner. He’s struggled badly, especially at home, but the prospect pedigree is still there, along with enough upside to interest a rebuilding club.
He also brings versatility, with the ability to play both infield and outfield, and the metrics like him at both spots. With five years of control after 2026, he fits the profile of a player a non-contender would want to take on.
He’s not going to be the centerpiece for a major trade, but he can absolutely help grease the wheels.
Jake Meyers is in a similar lane, though his value comes from a different place. He and Joey Loperfido have both had rough seasons, and both are in Triple-A after being optioned.
Meyers, though, still probably carries more value because teams know what they’re getting defensively. He’s also shown he can hit in the big leagues, even if last season looks more like the outlier than the rule.
A very good defensive center fielder can still help a club, even if he isn’t starting every day. And since the Astros have already said they want a left-handed hitting outfielder, that type of addition could end up pushing Meyers out of the picture anyway.
The bigger point is simple: if Houston really is serious about making a postseason run, the roster has to change. Buying at the deadline is never just about adding.
It’s about giving up something too. Walker, Burrows, Abreu, Matthews and Meyers all fit that reality in different ways, and in about a month, this team should look different.
If the Astros believe they’re contenders, that’s exactly how it should be.
In Other News...
Astros Fans Still Feel These First Round Draft Regrets
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Cam Pendinos scouting group now has room to be more aggressive, especially if the board pushes high school talent deeper or college players come with strong NIL leverage in overslot negotiations. Houston also owns two first-round selections, including an extra pick earned through a Prospect Promotion Incentive, and the way the Astros use that added firepower could shape the next wave of their system for years. [Read more 🡒]
Astros Now Face An Outfield Decision Fans Have Dreaded
The Astros latest roster shuffle has only sharpened a problem that was already easy to see coming. Joey Loperfido and Jake Meyers were sent to Triple-A Sugar Land, a move that points to Houston needing a left-handed outfield bat and possibly a new answer in center field as the club tries to steady a position that has become harder to ignore.
Bob Nightengale reported that the search may be leading toward the Rockies, where two left-handed outfielders with center-field experience and team-friendly contracts are drawing attention. Both come with appeal, both come with questions, and for Houston the real challenge is finding a fit that solves the immediate need without creating another one somewhere else in the lineup. [Read more 🡒]