Willson Contreras
The Houston Astros have gotten virtually nothing from their catchers this season. Having that type of a gaping hole in their lineup could be a problem come October.
Entering Tuesday, Martin Maldonado and Jason Castro have combined for a .140/.222/.248 batting line with five homers and eight doubles. Castro has been utterly putrid at the dish, posting a Bill Bergen-esque 5 OPS+ thus far. The Astros have to address the catcher position before the deadline.
Willson Contreras is clearly the biggest prize behind the plate. His 156 OPS+ with 12 homers and 13 doubles in 247 plate appearances dwarfs the “production” that Houston has received from their backstops this season. That would certainly fill that hole behind the plate in the lineup.
Contreras would also be an upgrade defensively. The Astros catchers have combined to cost Houston six runs behind the plate. Meanwhile, Contreras has saved two runs this season. Even if he does not have the greatest of defensive reputations, he would certainly be an improvement.
Willson Contreras is going to be in high demand at the trade deadline. He is the type of player that the Houston Astros need to empty the farm for.