These Houston Astros Players Could Be Shipped Around the Trade Deadline

Entering Monday’s roster, the Houston Astros need a lot of work to get back into the playoff picture.

At one point in mid-May, it seemed like this team had started to figure some things out after their starting rotation became healthy and they put together a winning streak that finally got them out of the last place in the AL West.

Now, after going 4-6 over their last 10 games, they sit 7.5 out of first place and 7.5 out of the final Wild Card spot.

One way for the Astros to put themselves in the best position to play fall baseball is to be aggressive at the trade deadline and bring in impact players. That’s what general manager Dana Brown envisioned when he said they won’t become sellers this season, as he expects them to turn things around and get back into playoff contention.

But if that doesn’t happen, it would be in this franchise’s long-term interest to start selling some of their pieces to competing teams and pick up future assets that could help them maintain their elite status at the future.

Alex Bregman immediately comes to mind as their No. 1 trade chip, as he is set to hit free agency after this season and Houston risks losing him for nothing.

However, there are other options that could draw interest across Major League Baseball.

The two most intriguing names are Ryan Pressly and Rafael Montero.

Both players are set to become free agents after 2025, and despite some inconsistency from these righties at different times over the past two years, they should be of interest to contending teams around the league.

Pressly, the former Astros closer relegated to passer this season, struggled in his new role with a 5.24 ERA and four blown saves, failing to convert on a single opportunity after getting 31 for 37 in 2023.

Still, he’s been a dominant arm since arriving in Houston, with a 2.86 ERA over his 307 appearances while converting 107 of his 134 save opportunities.

Montero managed to bounce back a year after struggling last season.

He was an important part of Houston’s 2022 relief team, posting a 2.37 ERA in 71 appearances and a 1.93 ERA in the postseason as they were en route to winning the World Series. That earned him a three-year, $34.5 million contract through 2023, but he couldn’t replicate his level of performance and finished with a 5.08 ERA in 68 appearances, sparking concerns that he could have lost it.

Now, with a sub-3.00 ERA on Monday, Montero appears to be back to his best form and could be a top trade candidate at the deadline.

In all likelihood, even if the Astros are still out of the playoffs, it would be shocking to see them start selling off their pieces.

At the very least, they’re going to stand by and do nothing, even though it may not be the best decision for the long-term health of this organization.