What the Astros Could Do in the Coming Weeks
They trade Doug Fister. This sounds crazy since he leads the rotation in ERA, but a team with a worse-off farm system may want to take a flier on him for their own postseason run. Houston shouldn’t give him away by any means, but getting a prospect that could use a change of scenery, someone like Jon Singleton but on another team.
The second part of this equation is the more important one. Fister’s absence in the rotation will clear up a spot for one of a couple of players. Michael Feliz has been dominant of late in the bullpen as August Fagerstrom of FanGraphs pointed out just a couple of days ago, and could be considered an option for the rotation if he adds consistency with a third pitch.
The other option is Joe Musgrove who is the highest upside pitcher that is within shouting distance of the big leagues. After dominating (which is an understatement) the Texas League to begin the season with a 0.34 ERA over 26.1 innings, Musgrove got the call to Triple-A in May. Through four starts in Fresno, Musgrove is 2-1 with a 3.13 ERA, but his calling card control is still in full effect. He has walked three batters at each level, combining for six walks over 49.1 innings pitched this season. Last year he walked eight in 100.2 innings.
Giving either of these two a shot in the rotation wouldn’t be throwing in the towel on the season by any means, as they offer more upside than Fister, and would also set the team up in future seasons with some experience starting games at the Major League level under their belts.
Add in that top prospect A.J. Reed could join the team in the coming weeks and potentially solve the team’s first base woes, and riding the young guns to the playoffs seems like the team’s best bet.
Teams to keep an eye on in the coming weeks: The Oakland Atheltics (SP, 3B, RP), New York Yankees (RP) and the fire sales from the Minnesota Twins and Atlanta Braves. The starting pitcher market currently consists of Rich Hill and then the rest of them. Hill is the kind of pitcher that could really improve the Astros rotation, and wouldn’t cost any top prospects, but after acquiring Scott Kazmir from Oakland last year adding another lefty from the A’s this season just doesn’t feel right.
If Houston decides to add some players, Danny Valencia could be an option at third base if they decide to keep Alex Bregman down in the minors or Colin Moran/Matt Duffy don’t pick it up. Oakland could also offer up Marc Rzepczynski or even Josh Reddick if he proves that his wrist is healthy when he returns from the disabled list. Rzepczynski is a situational lefty that would complement Tony Sipp well. Valencia is the kind of streaky hitter that can carry a team for long periods of time, while acquiring Reddick could help lure him to Houston in the offseason.
Next: Angels Trade Deadline Overview
The Yankees have a couple of bullpen options to offer up if they fall out of the race in Aroldis Chapman and Andrew Miller, either of which would be a welcome addition to Houston’s bullpen. If the Braves were to make Ender Inciarte available, he would be an interesting option to consider to fill the gap that will be left by Gomez and potentially Rasmus in the offseason. The Twins have reliever Glen Perkins who has served as Minnesota’s closer in recent years. He’s another lefty that would be nice to have, but is currently on the disabled list and has been since early April, and is someone that other teams would likely be willing to outbid Houston to add.
The Astros have depth in the farm system to acquire any player they please, really, but with the trades that they have made in the past year they have to be sure to make the right moves this time around instead of adding the biggest name left on the market. But first things first, they have to stay in the race long enough to make a move necessary.