What the Houston Astros need to do before the trade deadline

The Houston Astros are already one of the best teams in the league, despite multiple injuries to several key players. But even though they already sport an impressive roster and lead the AL West by 12 games, there is still room for improvement.

A team’s weakness is typically easy to identify, even for contenders.

The Washington Nationals need a reliever, the New York Yankees need a starting pitcher and the Cleveland Indians could probably use a better catcher.

But for the Houston Astros, a team that ranks third in runs scored and ERA, there is no position on the depth chart that is circled with the words “needs improvement” next to it.

Dealing for a top-tier hitter or pitcher would bolster an already above-average roster, but it wouldn’t be worth the slew of prospects needed to acquire such talent. Houston still has one of the best farm systems in the MLB. Surely general manager Jeff Luhnow wants to keep it that way.

The Astros’ lineup is all-around consistent.

Headlined by budding stars like second baseman Jose Altuve and shortstop Carlos Correa, there isn’t a spot in the order that would be a surefire out, even for elite pitchers. Houston players in the seventh and eighth spot of the lineup are sporting a combined OPS of above .840.

Even if the Astros did swap for a hitter, it would likely be for a bench player. But with guys like Jake Marisnick and Marwin Gonzalez as reserves, there’s not many upgrades that could come cheap.

If there is one spot on the roster that needs any sort of upgrade, it would be the starting rotation, especially the back end.

Four pitchers, including Cy Young contender Dallas Keuchel and star-in-the-making Lance McCullers, are currently on the disabled list. And while Joe Musgrove and Mike Fiers have pitched better recently, they aren’t the most reliable starters.

Both Brad Peacock and Chris Devenski could be options for the rotation – and both have been really good – but neither have ever had to pitch a considerable amount of innings in one season. Manager AJ Hinch also mentioned that he likes having Devenski in the bullpen.

The best option for Houston would be to swap for a solid back-end starter, even if it’s just a rental. Keep in mind that Musgrove owns an ERA above five and Fiers and Charlie Morton will likely maintain their 4.00-plus ERA for the remainder of the year.

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Rumors have centered on promising pitchers Gerrit Cole and Jose Quintana, who have both been less than stellar this season – Cole is 5-6 with a 4.28 ERA and Quintana is 3-8 with a 5.07 ERA.  But with the White Sox and Pirates both out of contention, they could control those trade meetings and ask for more touted prospects.

The same would go for veteran guys like Jason Vargas and Ervin Santana, who any other year would be deemed a low-tier starter worth about as much as a platoon player. But considering the seasons they’ve pieced together, the Royals and Twins will be asking for quite a bit.

Next: Dallas Keuchel mending at his own pace

There are plenty of other options, and I’m sure Houston will find one, even though the parity in the American League this year is rather fascinating, forcing teams to be hesitant to move around their players willy-nilly. It shouldn’t cost the Astros a high-rated prospect either, like Francis Martes or Derek Fisher.

If Houston acquires a hitter or reliever, you have the right to be shocked – I know I would. But if the front office deals for an average starter, or someone better like Cole, Quintana, or Jeff Samardzija, don’t be surprised.