Astros potential trade target Wilson Ramos to hit the DL

Wilson Ramos, a potential Astros trade target, hits the DL with a hamstring issue.

With about a half month before the July 31st deadline, the Astros could be looking for a catcher. While there are several options out there, rumors had the Astros after Rays catcher Wilson Ramos. With Brian McCann on the DL after a torn meniscus, the team could be looking for a catcher for now and the future.

Ramos was a tempting target and still can be, but he will be a free agent after the season. This year, Ramos is batting .297 with 14 homers and 53 RBI. He has an OPS+ 130 and .834 OPS, which could help give the Astros offense a boost. This is the second time that Ramos will be an All-Star. Stats from Baseball-Reference.

When it comes to making a trade package, it’s hard to predict the players involved. You also have to consider whether the player you are trading for is a significant upgrade over the players you have. Then you have to consider the years of control in the players you are giving up.

Ramos heading to the DL?

Then something happens that makes a trade even harder, the player gets injured. That’s what has happened with Ramos. According to Marc Topkin, “Ramos said he will not be able to play in All-Star Game due to hamstring injury.” Topkin said that Ramos expects to go to Washington DC for the All-Star week, but that he expects to hit the DL afterward. The timing for this injury is not good for a potential trade.

Ramos did play yesterday in the Rays 19-6 win over the Twins but left after three at-bats. Yan Gomes has replaced Ramos on the All-Star roster, while Salvador Perez will be the AL’s starting catcher. This injury could lead to a delay for any trade, with the Nationals being the Astros prime competition. Should Ramos return from the DL on July 25, that only gives him five days to show that he is healthy.

Next: Should the team pursue J.T. Realmuto or Wilson Ramos?

Hamstring injuries are tricky, so Ramos could be out longer. Trading for damaged goods doesn’t seem like something Jeff Luhnow will do. However, the Astros are looking for the best values. We will monitor Ramos’s situation as he recovers, but you have to wonder how this injury affects the trade deadline.