The Houston Astros didn’t just wake up as buyers at this year’s trade deadline - they’ve put themselves in position to swing big.
After stumbling out of the gate and looking more like a seller than a contender, Houston has turned its season around and now sits atop the AL West. That shift changes everything, and according to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, it also changes the kind of names the Astros are chasing.
Nightengale reported that Houston jumped into the mix for Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal before the Los Angeles Dodgers won the bidding war for him. The quote from Nightengale puts the Astros’ thinking in plain view: "The Houston Astros jumped into the sweepstakes for Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal, but realistically, would be pleased to acquire Robbie Ray of the San Francisco Giants."
That’s a strong signal about what Houston wants next. The Astros have already been tied to a lefty-hitting outfielder, and their pursuit of Skubal points to a clear priority: a high-end starter.
Skubal may be off the board now after going to the Dodgers in a blockbuster trade, but the Astros still have plenty of options to work with. Casey Mize of the Tigers fits.
Robbie Ray of the Giants fits. Freddy Peralta and Clay Holmes of the New York Mets are also names worth watching for Houston.
There are other starters out there, too, though the fit gets trickier when division rivals are involved. The Seattle Mariners are open to dealing Emerson Hancock and George Kirby, while the Los Angeles Angels are willing to move Reid Detmers and Jose Soriano. The problem is obvious: intra-division deals are never simple.
Even so, this is a deadline with real depth on the pitching market, and Houston’s reported push for Skubal suggests they’re aiming high. With the way the Astros have played, it’s starting to feel less like a question of whether they’ll add a starter and more like which one they’ll land before the Monday, August 3 MLB trade deadline.
In Other News...
Astros Finally Filled A Need But Fans Will Debate The Cost
The Astros made a late push to address their outfield mix by landing Daulton Varsho from the Blue Jays shortly before the trade deadline, a move that gives Houston a needed upgrade as it tries to position itself for the stretch run. Varsho brings immediate help and should slide in as a short-term addition, giving the club another option in a spot that had been needing attention.
The price, though, is the part that will keep the conversation going around Houston. The deal is still working its way through medical review, and the return sent to Toronto was significant enough to make this feel like more than a routine deadline add. For a team that has spent years balancing win-now moves against future value, this one lands squarely in the middle of the familiar Astros debate. [Read more 🡒]
Astros Lose Key Behind The Scenes Voice At A Tough Time
Amid a season that already has demanded plenty of patience, the Astros have lost another important voice from their dugout support staff. Dan Hennigan, the clubs Director of Hitting and Offensive Coordinator, is out after taking an assistant coaching job at Wake Forest, with manager Joe Espada saying Sunday was Hennigans final day on the job.
Houston will keep its current hitting structure intact, with Victor Rodriguez and Anthony Iapoce remaining in their roles as hitting coach and assistant hitting coach. Chuckie Caufield will absorb some of Hennigans duties around the major league team, leaving the Astros to adjust on the fly while trying to keep their offensive work steady through the rest of the season. [Read more 🡒]
Astros Interest In Logan Webb Just Ran Into One Huge Problem
With the trade deadline drawing closer, Logan Webb has surfaced as a name worth watching for clubs looking to add pitching, and the Astros are among the teams said to be interested. Houston has been linked to the San Francisco right-hander along with Atlanta, a reminder that frontline starters tend to draw attention quickly when the market starts to thin out and contenders start checking on every available arm.
The problem for Houston is that San Francisco does not appear inclined to entertain much discussion. Webb is viewed internally as too important to move because of his contract and his place in the Giants' plans, which makes any pursuit a steep climb from the start. Webb has also made clear he wants to stay with the Giants, so even with outside interest building, this feels like one of those deadline whispers where the asking price may never even be the real issue. [Read more 🡒]