Houston Astros relief pitcher Hector Neris (50) reacts after getting Seattle Mariners Cal Raleigh (29) to ground out with the bases loaded in the sixth inning during Game 2 of the American League Division Series at Minute Maid Park on Thursday, Oct. 13, 2022, in Houston.
In 2019, the Washington Nationals started the season 19-31, only to turn their season around and win 93 games, ultimately capturing the first World Series title in franchise history at the expense of the Houston Astros.
Five years later, it’s the Astros who will try to turn a disastrous start to the season into a rallying cry for a deep postseason run of their own. But if a poor start proves to be too big of a hole for the best team of this era to climb out of, Houston has a slew of interesting trade candidates that could make them the most interesting club to watch in advance of the July 30 trade deadline.
Second-year general manager Dana Brown may only be willing to consider trading impending free agents, in which case he’ll still have plenty to work with. But if the Astros decide that they need to take a step back after being all-in for a prolonged stretch, there are even more pieces that would be of interest to other teams and could help Houston to reload a farm system that had just one top 100 prospect entering the season, according to Just Baseball’s Aram Leighton.
Players Who Can Potentially Become Free Agents After The Season
RHP Justin Verlander: There’s something to be said for the three-time AL Cy Young Award winner finishing his career in Houston, but the Astros already let him out the door once, so why are we to believe they wouldn’t consider doing so a second time if it was what’s best for their long-term future?
Verlander is 41 years old, but still could be the best starting pitcher available on what projects to be a very weak trade market.
The former AL MVP has a $35 million vesting option for the 2025 season if he pitches 140 innings this season, which is hardly a guarantee considering he opened the year on the injured list. If the option vests, though, the New York Mets will be on the hook for $17.5 million of it. That figure would be more than fair for Verlander next season, which may make the Astros more inclined to keep him. But the possibility of only owing Verlander $17.5 million, if anything, in 2025 might make him even more coveted as a trade candidate.
3B Alex Bregman: While the two-time All-Star has gotten off to a slow start in 2024, one would think his results will improve. If the Astros aren’t in contention, Bregman will be one of the top overall trade candidates this summer.
