Climbing Tal's Hill
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Astros: Revisiting the infamous Carlos Gomez trade from 2015

By Andrew Gleinser

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 08: Carlos Gomez #30 of the Houston Astros reacts to striking out against the Minnesota Twins during the fifth inning of the game on August 8, 2016 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Twins defeated the Astros 3-1. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 08: Carlos Gomez #30 of the Houston Astros reacts to striking out against the Minnesota Twins during the fifth inning of the game on August 8, 2016 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Twins defeated the Astros 3-1. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 01: Josh Hader #71 of the Milwaukee Brewers throws a pitch against the Washington Nationals during the eighth inning in the National League Wild Card game at Nationals Park on October 01, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 01: Josh Hader #71 of the Milwaukee Brewers throws a pitch against the Washington Nationals during the eighth inning in the National League Wild Card game at Nationals Park on October 01, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /

What the Astros Gave Up

Giving up Hader is the part that hurts the most in this. The Astros got him in the 2013 trade sending Bud Norris to Baltimore, but then sent him to Milwaukee in this ill-fated deal. Since then, he’s blossomed into a bullpen ace.

In three seasons, the left-hander has compiled a 2.42 ERA in 151 appearances, with marks of 4.5 hits per nine, 3.2 walks per nine, 15.3 strikeouts per nine and a microscopic WHIP of 0.85. He also notched 37 saves in 2019, made two All-Star teams and has been about as unhittable as a human being can be. Sure would be nice to have him in the Astros bullpen right now.

Santana appeared in just 20 games with the Astros and has always been a little challenged defensively. But he did put together one excellent offensive campaign in Milwaukee, hitting 30 homers with an .875 OPS in 2017. He was traded to the Mariners after the 2018 season and totaled a .266/.354/.465 line in three seasons with the Brewers.

Houser fully established himself in the majors in 2019 by pitching to a 3.72 ERA in 18 starts and 17 relief appearances for the Brewers. He owns a career 3.61 ERA in parts of three seasons totaling 127 innings. He would also be nice to have on the current roster, with starting pitching depth a bit of a concern.

Phillips put up a .799 OPS in 37 games in his big league debut in 2017. Since then, however, he hasn’t been able to hit enough to grab an everyday job. He’s now with the Royals and owns a career .203/.280/.339 line in 324 plate appearances.

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