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Going into the season many experts almost instantly began talking about all of the Houston Astros players that would be traded as the All-Star break arrived and then the all important MLB Trade Deadline at the end of July. They are not a very good team so of course they have to unload any players that have value to get more young talent. Or wait a second, I’m looking around and now that we are upon that time of the season I see very few rumors about them. How interesting is that?
The only player rumored to be possibly on the trade docket is closer Jose Veras. Veras is the only veteran in a young bullpen and has been fairly consistent pitching late in the game all season long. He isn’t the greatest closer this season but he isn’t very expensive in contract either. For the Astros it is a pretty decent situation to be in. They will probably sit tight and see if someone is interested. If someone were to be interested I would imagine they would certainly entertain the offer.
For sure they would get something of value in return for the veteran relief pitcher but there is the problem of who would close games if they moved him. The luxury of being in the Astros shoes right now is that they really could check out several different guys and see who might fit perfectly in that role. It’s even possible that one of their better starting pitchers of the recent years, Lucas Harrell, could be a potential closing option.
The problems he has had this year have been consistency over a game situation but short term he can dominate with the stuff he has. It is an odd situation but one that might come up if Veras were to be moved to another team. It is possible that the Astros who everyone expected to sell like crazy might just stand stern where they are and trade nobody before the end of July. Who would have thought? I guess that’s why they play the games. Well, you know what I mean.
David Miller is a Senior Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @davidmillerrant, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google+.
