Trade Deadline Discussion: TCB’s Top Picks

We at the Crawfish Boxes have been trying to do a bit of analysis on most of the potential Houston Astros trade targets. With 30+ articles to explore as we approach the trade deadline, I figured we could do an open forum where you can come discuss who your top picks are as we approach the deadline. I’ve included the relevant links for the different players and voting results if there was a poll in the article.

Marcus Stroman:

His name is STRO-man.... How could we not trade for him?

Taking another look at a potential Stroman trade

“He needs to come to Houston

He’s not Marcus Yankeeman, Dodgerman, nor Redsoxman. He’s Marcus STROman!!” - Jlh071974

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Seth Lugo:

Let’s take these Seth Lugo Trade Rumors for a SPIN

“He’s not a projected starter, but he’s depth and could pitch 400 innings over his control years and figures pitch better than a MOR pitcher in those innings. His value is reduced, because his injury risk appears to be higher than most. In this case, paying the additional price for years of control makes sense as he would figure to occupy innings lost to FA in the next couple of years, so his contributions would be important in 2021 and 2022.

I agree with HH and think looking at the Pressly trade is a fair way to estimate what it would take. Pressly had 2 1/2 years of control, Seth has 4. Pressly is a back end reliever pitching in more important situations and misses more bats. Seth might pitch more innings, but his injury risk is higher, lowering that projected amount.

I’m not exactly sure how a trade works with the Mets. They’re not in a “rebuilding” year, so you’d think they’d look more for someone like Armenteros, J.D. Davis, Straw, etc. in a trade rather than low level prospects. Or perhaps they’re Chief Martin Brody and are obsessed with catching the Great White Shark …” - JohninWisconsin

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Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports

Madison Bumgarner:

Madison Bumgarner Could Block a Trade to the Astros

Is Madison Bumgarner a Match for the Astros?

Trade Deadline Landmine: Madison Bumgarner

“I think there will be better pitchers available. Marcus Stroman, Zach Wheeler, Noah Synergaard, Matt Boyd, Tanner Roark, Sonny Gray, and Jon Gray all should be available based on the current standings, and I think I’d rather have any of those guys over Bumgarner.

Bumgarner seems like it would mirror the Scott Kazmir trade more than the Verlander trade. I think Luhnow is loath to do expensive rentals” - Zombie Snake

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Will Smith:

The Lefty Fresh Prince of Bellaire? Exploring a Will Smith Trade

“I think adding Smith would help our postseason run. We have a great bullpen, but, I would trust Smith more than half our bullpen, so, he would be a good get. Besides, who do you have pitch to Yellich, Harper, Bellinger, Freeman, Rizzo in the WS? I know Harris/Pressly/Osuna can deliver, but, I’d rather hand the ball to Smith or someone like him vs. Devo/McHugh/Rondon/Smith/James/Perez etc….however, I wouldn’t want to give up much, not even high potential low A guys…. I’m greedy. Just give them Drew Ferguson back ;).” - drewr05

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Zack Wheeler:

Exploring a Zack Wheeler trade

“Im torn ...

Trade for him now, get him for the playoffs, but greatly increase his value. Would the Astros then let him walk as a FA or have to give him big $$? However, wait until the offseason, sign him on current low value and turn him into CFM part II. Especially if Cole makes his way out of Houston. Hmmmmm. Not sure.” - mestifo

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Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Chris Archer:

Buy-Low Trade Candidate: Chris Archer

“No” - Rambo3

“-brainer, you mean.

I agree.

I also agree with those who think Pittsburgh blocks this deal.” - Rabscuttle

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Matt Boyd:

Should the Astros trade for the Tigers’ Matt Boyd?

Matthew Boyd: No one suspected Randy Johnson Either

“Tucker is much too high

Boyd is a middle of the rotation pitcher on most normal staffs, and Houston doesn’t have a normal staff. If everyone is healthy (excluding Lance) there is a legitimate question on if Boyd even starts in the playoffs. Why in the hell would you give up a top 15 overall prospect who has destroyed AAA at a young age for a guy who MIGHT start one game in the first round, and then after doesn’t project to be anything more than a mid level rotation piece. We have a farm full of guys with that projection.” - SweedishHammah

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Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports

Josh Reddick:

Should the Astros shop Josh Reddick? And who would be interested?

“Last year everyone was talking about how Reddick was garbage and we had to move off him and I was consistently saying- nope- he’s just fine you don’t have to move off him

This year he’s hitting 300 and everyone is saying- you can’t trade him and I’m saying- do it if you don’t have to attach value.

The idea that losing Reddick would diminish our WS chances is silly. He’s a corner OF that plays above average but not elite defense that’s going to bat 9th for us in the playoffs.

He’s not that important to what we are trying to accomplish in the playoffs. He’s probably blocking a better hitter than him. If I’m wrong in my assessment then about 95% of his value can be readily replaced by one of 3 or 4 guys we currently have on our roster. It makes sense to move him. I get the chemistry arguments against. I’m not banging on the table to make that happen. But anyone worried about the idea of moving Reddick (or Yuli) in the middle of the season is way too risk averse imo.” - Wulaw Horn

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Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

Tanner Roark:

Tanner Roark could be a good short-term fix for the Astros rotation.

“Not that I hope it happens, because they can do better, but if the Astros add Roark they could save a few dollars from the uniform budget by using Tyler White’s old gear after he’s DFA. They both look about the same size.” - Perpetual Caffeine

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Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

Andrew Cashner:

Bargain Hunting for Arms on the Trade Market: Andrew Cashner

“I’d pass on Cashner

His xFIP/SIERA are unimpressive and his K/9 is quite low. I would think the priority would be a MOR SP or a 2A guy who pitches the 3rd or 4th playoff game. It puts Peacock (likely) in what I consider his most valuable role as being able to pitch out of the pen in all possible circumstances.” - Robncypress57

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Trevor Bauer:

Are the Astros the Most Interested in Trevor Bauer?

“Interesting that a lot of people felt Tucker was worth more than 3.5 years of Boyd

But is worth less than a year and a half of Bauer, who he’s outpitched this year. I understand that Bauer has a better track record, but he only has 1 year of being really elite, and this year he’s been good but not great, which is basically how his career has gone. I would think the 2 extra years makes Boyd more valuable.” - Kastros

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Noah Syndergaard:

Could the Astros add another Superhero: Thor? (Syndergaard)

“Well.....

great first 3 years, good number 3 pitcher in last 2 years.

If we don’t have to give our top prospects, then i would consider him as i believe he would get better with Strom, but i think we can get other pitchers that are not going to cost us as much.

But, i would not mind at all to see him in an Astros uniform, even tough i don’t like the 1 hit per 9 innings from him in the last couple of years.” - Rafael Sala

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Roenis Elias:

Trade Target: Roenis Elias

“Nice post!

This definitely seems like a Luhnow & Co type of move.

Elias & Seth Lugo would be nice additions for the pen and hopefully wouldn’t cost our top prospects.” - Rhombus67

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Mychal Givens:

Is the Astros Bullpen need a Givens?

“Are there any mis-Givens about a Mychal trade?

Answer: No.

Tony Watson either.” - GoStros1

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German Marquez:

Would the Rockies trade German Marquez?

“No, the Rockies won’t trade him.

The Rockies are perpetually pitching-starved. Marquez is the ONLY Rockies’ SP signed to a longterm deal, under control through 2024. Gray has 2 years of arb left. They’re more likely to deal him.

The Rockies can’t “tank,” which they’d be doing by getting rid of Marquez. They signed Blackmon and Arenado to expensive, longterm deals and are essentially committed to trying to stay competitive (for a WC slot at least) for the next few years. If they tank by trading off Marquez and/or Gray, Arenado will exercise his opt out in 2 years and leave.

The Rockies SHOULD trade assets for minor league pitching prospects. Free agent pitchers won’t sign with the Rockies to pitch in Coors Field. So the Rockies have to develop pitching in-house, which they’ve been historically bad at doing, whiffing on a number of top draft picks. (Think the Astros blundered on Appel? Review the Rockies’ painful history of busted 1st Round pitching draftees.) Gray for 3 legit minor league pitchers is something they should try doing. But they probably won’t. The Rockies ownership/GM competence has been at McLane/Purpura levels for a long time.” - maris61

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Mike Minor:

A potential “Minor” upgrade to the Rotation

“Minor screams buyer’s remorse to me

Reminds me of the Yankees with JA Happ last year. You might get a great month or two heading into the end of the season but I wouldn’t feel comfortable with him facing Judge, Stanton, Sanchez and Encarnacion in the post season. He also looks like a candidate who could pitch to a 4.5+ ERA next season.” - terps12

“This is like one of those childhood impossible tradeoff type of questions. What if you could spend one day as someone else, but your worst enemy would get to spend that same day pretending to be you—would you do it? What if you could play guitar like Hendrix, but all the fingers on your left hand were obscenely shaped?

What if you could guarantee that the Astros won the 2019 World Series, but you had to hand the Game 7 ball . . . to a Texas Ranger?” - AstrosAndy

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MHatter’s photoshop skills

Felipe Vazquez:

Could Felipe Vazquez be an alternate relief ace target for the Astros?

“As much as the Astros could use Vazquez, the two clubs don’t align well for a trade.

A trade for that caliber of reliever would most likely be structured around Kyle Tucker, but even if the Pirates do like Tucker they are already overcrowded with young outfielders & adding another who needs MLB reps immediately & will be down to 1 option for 2020 plus won’t help their cause. And to move Whitley, I’d think Luhnow has to get an established SP or everyday regular position player. Do the Astros have a needle mover beyond Whitley or Tucker to land such premium established MLB pitching talent today?” - reillocity

MHatter’s photoshop skills

Keone Kela:

Buy Low: Keone Kela?

“From a purely statistical standpoint, Kela fits a present Astros need of a RHRP who is stronger against RHB.

The trouble beyond makeup concerns, which seem to involve a pattern of altercations/disputes with Hispanics, is that arm health makes his postseason status uncertain. And the Astros stand to be seeking someone who is more sure to fill a 2019 postseason righty-on-righty RP role than current in-house but physically questionable candidates Brad Peacock and Joe Smith.” -reillocity

Non-Player Specific Articles

Top 50 Trade Candidates - MLBTR 1-10 11-20 21-30 31-40 41-50

Exploring the Competitive Tax implications on the Astros Trade Deadline approach

Variables at the Trade Deadline: Pitching Related

Pitchers the Astros Could Target at the Trade Deadline

Could the Astros Target A Quick Fix Starter?

The Houston Astros are Ready to Move on from Max Stassi, and That Would be a Mistake

With just under a week left, let us know who you’d like us to profile. Who do you think the Astros should target. We will have 2 polls for your #1 and your #2 trade targets. We’ll combine both to get the totals at the end to see who our fans preferred

Tell us who you voted for!