Astros can be patient from this point to add another piece

Look for Jeff Luhnow to get creative if the Astros swing any more trades before the deadline.

The Astros have already added two players via trades before tomorrow’s trade deadline. As Jeff Luhnow described on Astros Radio before Sunday’s game, they have already added the players they needed. Now they are targeting those players that they would like to have. Without the absolute need, they can be patient and wait for those prices to drop.

This was echoed this morning by Joel Sherman, who said there are more rental relievers out there than teams that need them. He mentions the Astros and Dodgers can be patient and wait to see if teams panic before making a move. As we have seen in the past, Luhnow can be very patient, waiting until the August waiver deadline to acquire Justin Verlander last year.

For a trade target like Raisel Iglesias, the Reds don’t have to trade him as he is under team control through 2021. They can wait till they get the best trade offer or hold onto him hoping for better times in 2019. While this is the type of trades, the Astros tend to favor, Iglesias may be too expensive. There are several other relievers in a similar situation.

Which pitchers could the Astros be waiting on?

Relievers who would qualify as rentals are Bud Norris, Sergio Romo, Fernando Rodney, Tyler Clippard, Francisco Liriano, Jake Diekman, and Brad Ziegler. If it were up to me, three of those names would automatically be crossed out (hint, former Astros). Diekman and Ziegler would be the best choices with Romo a close third.

Teams who decide to pass on a trade will run the risk of getting nothing if their players elect for free agency this offseason. With other teams involved, you won’t get players for just international bonus pool money. Wait, that’s what the Braves did to get Brad Brach. The Orioles are looking to get more flexibility to sign international players.

With about 24-hours left, things could change. Jim Bowden said last night that the Astros are in on basically every reliever on the market. Will that translate into any trades going down? If the price is right, I can see the Astros making another move and worry about where they fit later. Look for Luhnow to do something creative, such as including Ken Giles in some trade.