Grading the Houston Astros’ trade deadline moves

The Houston Astros didn’t go big. The front office didn’t reel in a Craig Kimbrel, Max Scherzer or a Kris Bryant-type player; they played under the luxury tax threshold, while still bolstering the weakest part of the team: the bullpen.

There were other routes we anticipated general manager James Click to explore, but with his tight, sealed ship, you don’t hear many rumors or leaks until the trades happened. For Click, he was given the all clear from owner Jim Crane in regards to go over the luxury tax. While not adding a big contract in the end, Click masterfully added arms and didn’t put the franchise in the spot to be penalized.

The trade deadline has come and gone, but the Astros made some admirable moves. Let’s grade them.

As reported by Michael Schwab, the Astros were exploring big-time names but the asking price was too high in return. Click has mentioned that he did not look to set the franchise back even further in minor-league talent and production at the deadline.

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In the end, it would have been interesting to see if the Astros added another out-of-house center fielder or utility man. There were also rumors of a starting pitcher thrown into the mix, but those talks never came to fruition.

With a luxury tax threshold of $210 million, Click brought in key pieces to push for a World Series, even though he didn’t trade for a big-time name. According to FanGraphs, the Astros now stand at $208 million after the trade deadline, putting them in contention of not being penalized this offseason.

With Alex Bregman returning, the lineup will improve significantly, even without an All-Star trade. For those worried about Bregman not sustaining hits in his rehab assignment, it doesn’t truly matter. As long as he is barreling the ball and hitting it hard, then he is in good shape for his return.

Trade #1: Abraham Toro and Joe Smith for Kendall Graveman and Rafael Montero

This trade came as a surprise this last Tuesday. Toro walked out of the Seattle Mariners‘ dugout in uniform before beat writers knew he was traded. The switch-hitting utility man with team control will be an impactful player for years to come, but for now, he was easy trade value to dump for a reliever.

I anticipated this trade a few weeks ago, but that wasn’t the same Mariners’ team that Seattle has now. Their clubhouse was furious with the trade, and while their front office didn’t make any other big transactions, they might’ve set themselves back this season.

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Many knew Toro was bolstering his trade stock, and after seeing what Graveman could do for the Astros on Friday night, they honestly fleeced the Mariners. Toro will be beneficial in replacement for an aging Kyle Seager, whose contract is expiring, but Seattle was one game back of the second Wild Card spot.

They have won one game since the trade, but even the addition of Joe Smith doesn’t bolster their odds. It helped the Astros, while the Mariners eat the rest of his contract. In regards to Rafael Montero, he was a throw in and also a roster place holder in my opinion; I think he could be DFA’d for Josh Smith and Pedro Baez to return.

Grade: A+

Trade #3: Myles Straw for Phil Maton and Yanier Diaz (minors)

It is a business in the end, but Straw was an impactful member in the clubhouse. While fans gave him their worst, he pushed himself to be a better player, which inevitably boosted his trade value. It was a shocker to say the least, as the Astros brought in a younger reliever in Maton from the Cleveland Indians.

While we didn’t know Straw’s future with the team past 2021, the right-hander was most likely out at some point. For Maton, his ERA stands out at 4.57, but the right-hander strikes out 13.3 batters per nine innings.

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• Just how much better is the Houston Astros playoff rotation than the rest?
• Houston Astros: A Lineup Change to Spark Offense
• Astros prospect Hunter Brown throws 6 shutout innings in debut
• Always faithful Astros World Series champion Josh Reddick defends the title
• Michael Conforto declines Astros’ 2-year, $30 million offer

A left-hander looked to be the go-to option late at the deadline, but the Astros land team control and one more year of options in Maton, although he will most likely stay at the major-league level. Weirdly enough, he is rostered as a minor-leaguer right now, so that he can be activated on Saturday.

It did seem like a strange trade at first, while Straw has been an above average defender in center field. But at some point by next season, Pedro Leon and Chas McCormick could’ve been platooning the rest of the way. While McCormick had more trade value, he is now eyed as the everyday starter.

Diaz will start in Low-A with the Fayetteville Woodpeckers, after slashing to an .821 OPS in Low-A this season. The right-hander is now 22-years-old and adds depth to one of the weakest parts of the farm system. In response to Straw’s departure, Jake Meyers got his much needed call up the show.

Grade: B-

Overall, Click had the best trade deadline in his tenure as a general manager. This is in part to it being his first normal season at the helm, and that he also bolstered the bullpen without pushing the competitive balance tax.