MLB trade deadline preview: American League West

Houston Astros

The Astros could stand pat at the deadline and likely remain in great shape for the rest of the year. It’s hard to argue with what the team as currently configured has already achieved through the first half. Houston has had a stranglehold on the AL West lead for virtually the entire season, along with the best record in the American League.

Every part of the team is clicking, making this a roster with no obvious holes or deficiencies. They lead Major League Baseball in runs scored with 508, home runs with 143, OPS at .848 and pretty much every other prominent hitting category. The pitching staff has also been among the league’s best. Astros starters sport the fourth-best ERA in the league at 3.87, while the bullpen has been far more average at 14th with a 4.10 ERA.

Since early in the campaign, there have been reports that Houston would like to add another starting pitcher, and that could very well be a direction they still want to go. The rotation hasn’t suffered much at all while ace Dallas Keuchel has been on the DL. Lance McCullers has been enjoying a breakout season at age 23, while veterans Mike Fiers and Charlie Morton have also been serviceable.

However, bringing in another strong arm for the rotation would make the Astros even more formidable in the postseason. If the Astros really want to make a power play, they could go after one of the big names expected to be made available such as Jose Quintana, Sonny Gray or Gerrit Cole. Put one of those guys alongside Keuchel and McCullers, and you have a very nice trio of starters for Games 1-3 in any playoff series. Houston should also have the prospect depth to swing a deal if they indeed want to pull the trigger.

They might also consider fortifying the bullpen. Ken Giles has done a nice job as closer, converting 19 of 21 save opportunities. Chris Devenski has been a revelation as the team’s multi-purpose setup man. (Look for him to play the Andrew Miller role in October.) Will Harris has also fared well with a 2.86 ERA over 34.2 innings. Adding another dependable arm to the mix could help lighten the load during the dog days of summer and the high-stakes games of fall.

Next: Halos hanging in there