The Houston Astros enter MLB games today with the second-worst record in the American League, with a top-10 lineup suppressed by the worst pitching staff in baseball. With this proving to be a disastrous year for Houston, the struggles could force the front office to make roster moves at the MLB trade deadline.
FanSided's Robert Murray wrote that if the Astros ultimately decide to become sellers this summer, the most likely players to be moved are infielder Isaac Paredes and first baseman Christian Walker.
Houston entered the weekend with an 18-28 record, leaving it 10 games short of .500, but just four games behind the Texas Rangers for the third wild card spot in the American League. The club is also just six games behind the first-place Sacramento Athletics in the AL West, so it's not out of the realm of possibility that the club could bounce back this summer and get back into playoff contention.
The question is whether or not the Astros pitching staff can get to a place where this team can compete. Hunter Brown, sidelined with a shoulder problem, is on the 60-day injured list and isn't expected to return until sometime in June. Meanwhile, Ronel Blanco (elbow) is still only throwing bullpen sessions, and Cristian Javier is early in the throwing schedule and won't return until the summer.
To put the Astros' pitching problems into perspective, they have the worst ERA in MLB (5.47) and are the only club in baseball with an ERA over 5. Starting pitching (5.16 ERA, 29th in MLB) has been an issue, but the bullpen (5.81 ERA) has been the biggest culprit.
Luckily for Houston, Walker is helping his trade value significantly this summer. In the second year of a three-year, $60 million contract, his batting average (.235 to .268), OBP (.297 to .342) and OPS (.717 to .848) have skyrocketed compared to last season.
Paredes is making $9.5 million this season, and he has a club option for 2027 worth $13.35 million. The 27-year-old infielder has a .734 OPS with a .257 batting average this season in 34 appearances at third base, six at first and three at second base.
