Houston Astros trade target responds to trade rumors

The Houston Astros have been very active in trade talks over the past month as the team has managed to turn things around this season. With just 1.0 game remaining in the American League West, the Astros will have a chance to take control of the division at the All-Star break as they have three games remaining against the first-place Seattle Mariners.

As the trade deadline approaches, the roster should only improve in the coming weeks.

Rumors have suggested that Houston would be interested in upgrading their first base and finding depth for their starting pitchers. They have dealt with some injuries on the mound and could use all the help they can get to gain innings on the mound in the second half of the season.

In terms of first base, finding a long-term solution would be their goal, according to Jim Bowden of The AthleticThe Astros released Jose Abreu in mid-June after the former MVP didn’t do half of what was expected of him during his time with the team.

Looking for a replacement, Bowden cited sidelined Pete Alonso as someone Dana Brown has made calls to.

“Astros general manager Dana Brown has made it clear to other front office that he is focused on adding a veteran starter and a viable long- or short-term solution at first base. He has talked to the Mets about Luis Severino and Pete Alonso,” Bowden wrote.

Alonso and the New York Mets have played much better baseball in recent weeks and are in the third wild-card spot in the National League. That might be all they need to not trade the slugger, but he will also be a free agent at the end of the season.

The Mets could be playing a risky game if they don’t plan on re-signing him this offseason.

But it’s in this risky play that Houston could benefit from this situation. If New York doesn’t believe Alonso will accept what they’re going to offer him, or if they have no intention of offering him a contract at all, the odds of trading him increase.

Letting him go for nothing doesn’t make much sense.

However, Alonso was asked about the trade rumors and firmly expressed his personal stance on the matter.

“I don’t want to be traded, I love this place, it’s my home,” Alonso said.

He’s made this comment many times before, but at the end of the day, business is business. If the Mets want to trade him, that’s exactly how it’s going to happen.

His position should nevertheless encourage New York to pay him. He has made it known that he wants to stay and continue playing in Queens.

If they feel the same way he does, the Astros will have to continue looking for improvement at first base.