Nobody expected the Houston Astros to be where they are right now in first place in the American League West. It seems like they’ve arrived a year ahead of schedule and that means they’re going to be buyers at the trade deadline. Who do they have their eyes on? These are the five biggest rumors surrounding baseball’s surprise team of 2015.
5. Team Could Be One of MLB's Biggest Buyers
Troy Taormina-USA Today SportsEven more surprising than their start to the season is the fact that the Astros might be among the most aggressive teams at the trade deadline. They’re connected to several top names on the market including the Reds’ Johnny Cueto. Ideally, they’d like to add an arm and a bat, but it remains to be seen whether they can do that. Regardless, it seems like they have the willingness to try.
4. Delmon Young Could Be An OF/DH Option
Kim Klement-USA Today SportsThe Orioles have designated outfielder Delmon Young for assignment and plan on working on a trade to ship the former top prospect elsewhere this deadline. Houston could make sense, as reportedly Baltimore is interested in outfield prospects L.J. Hoes and Alex Presley. So if the Astros were willing to part with one of them to get Delmon Young and perhaps a mid-level prospect, it could make their lineup deeper.
3. Team Could Target Carlos Gomez For Offensive Help
Getty ImagesWith the Brewers out of contention in 2015, and quite honestly the foreseeable future, they could look to move some of their stars to strengthen their weak farm system. No teams are interested in Ryan Braun, whose five-year, $105 million contract extension kicks in next season, but there figures to be plenty of interest in another outfielder, Carlos Gomez. If the Astros are willing to move pretty significant prospects, they could land one of the best bats on the market and improve their chances of reaching the postseason dramatically.
2. L.J. Hoes and Alex Presley Likely To Be Used In Trades
Getty ImagesWith the Astros already employing a pretty solid trio of young outfielders, with George Springer, Preston Tucker and Domingo Santana emerging, promoting L.J. Hoes or Alex Presley this season or in the foreseeable future is unlikely. That would seem to make them expendable, and the Orioles have already shown interest in them. If they keep performing at Triple-A, they will generate more interest and either one could become the centerpiece of a blockbuster deadline move.
1. Team Favors Johnny Cueto Over Cole Hamels
Getty ImagesIt was big news when the Astros were first connected to Cole Hamels rumors, but now it appears he’s not even their top pitching target this deadline. Reportedly, the team is eying Johnny Cueto to pair with Dallas Keuchel at the top of the rotation rather than Hamels which makes sense. Since Cueto is essentially a rental, he is likely to cost less in prospects than Hamels since he still has three (four if you count his team option) years left on his deal.
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