Astros Played the Trade Deadline Perfectly

WHY DID IT HAVE TO BE THE RANGERS?

There’s no question that Lucroy and Beltran bring a substantial upgrade to an already-formidable Rangers offense. It is interesting to note, however, that the Rangers did very little to improve their pitching staff. Astros Twitter already had their fun when they traded for our old friend Lucas Harrell to boost their rotation woes.

Dario Alvarez, who came over with Harrell, has not seen a lot of big league action but figures to improve the Rangers bullpen. So does Jeremy Jeffress, an excellent righty with years of big league success and has years of team control remaining.

But after Cole Hamels and Yu Darvish, the Rangers’ rotation gets very shaky. And as Astros fans struggle to fall asleep last night fearing what will happen with McCullers’ elbow, they can rest easy knowing that Musgrove is here to stay.

SAY IT WITH ME: WE WILL BE FINE

McCullers, Luke Gregerson, and Luis Valbuena are hurt. Carlos Gomez, Reed, Jason Castro, Bregman, and Colby Rasmus are slumping. Musgrove, Hoyt, and Gourriel are on the way. A return to form and a handful of new faces will equip the Astros to make a run at the newly-improved Rangers.

Next: Astros Roundup: McCullers’ Injury, Reed and Hoyt Up

As rough as it was to watch Beltran, Jeffress and Lucroy get traded to the Rangers without any corresponding big move from the Astros, just remember that it doesn’t guarantee success. Just ask the Toronto Blue Jays and Washington Nationals about last year.

***Stats from Baseball-Reference***