Houston Astros Free More Roster Space by Moving Maxwell


Troy Taormina – USA TODAY Sports

With rumors swirling around Bud Norris and even Erik Bedard, the Houston Astros have reportedly moved outfielder Justin Maxwell to the Kansas City Royals.

Maxwell, 29, is primarily known for his power. While his stats don’t jump out on paper, he’s a major threat to left-handed pitchers and a good bat to have coming off the bench, given his long ball capabilities. His fielding ability is very good, and he has the speed and arm to play any of the three outfield positions.

The Royals should be happy with their new utility acquisition as he is a very versatile player with a lot of time still to go in the majors. It was a great pickup for the Royals, who look to capitalize on this season’s successes and make a run for the playoffs.

For the Astros, the game is — as it always has been — clearing up roster space to move the kids up. The Astros received Advanced-A level pitcher Kyle Smith, who has gone 5-4 with a 2.85 ERA in the minors this year.

As with the Veras move, the main thing the Astros gain from the trade is freeing up roster space. This could lead to a lot of possibilities, the most attractive of them being the promotion of George Springer. Astros fans would rave at a such a promotion. What better time than now?

Look at it from the point of view of replacing Maxwell, Springer’s game is like an enhanced version the new Royals OF with tremendous power, contact, arm strength, speed and fielding, along with a penchant for strikeouts. Springer takes Maxwell’s game and maximizes it, with the potential for enormous upside given his age.

It’s time for Springer to join Jarred Cosart, Jonathan Villar and Robbie Grossman as the Astros continue to inch closer and closer to the future they have worked so hard to achieve.


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