Astros Countdown: Top Five Risky Trade Ideas

There are ways to improve this Astros team.

With the trade deadline inching closer, many people are thinking, with a combination of top prospects and needs, that the Astros may be in line for a big move in the months of June or July. However, with that in mind, there are multiple moves that can be very risky that the Astros should stay away from.

No moves

This is a bit counterintuitive. If you look at this team from afar though, keeping the team the same does seem to make sense.

With a first place spot in the American League West by a whopping 13 games, the Astros have a record of 43-18, which is the best in baseball. Even with all of the injuries, especially with the pitching staff, the team just keeps winning. When both Charlie Morton and Joe Musgrove went on the disabled list retroactive to May 27^th, the Astros were just three games into their 11-game winning streak. Also, it is easy to forget that proven veteran starter Collin McHugh has not even thrown a pitch for the major league team this season.

However, with Dallas Keuchel being put on the 10-day DL for the second time this season, it puts all the more pressure on guys like Brad Peacock, Mike Fiers or even David Paulino to make up for his lost starts. Even though Fiers and Peacock have been pitching well as of late, it is unfair to expect them to fill the shoes of the former Cy Young award winner.

Even when Keuchel gets back, the Astros, even with two ace pitchers at the top of the rotation, have a depth issue at the back end that could hurt as the season progresses. This is not even to mention the need for another left-handed pitcher to compliment Tony Sipp in the bullpen.

Even with the best record in baseball, it is too dangerous for the Astros to not make a midseason move. Whether it is for a veteran starter, an ace for the top of the rotation or a serviceable lefty in the bullpen, a move needs to be done.