Grading the Houston Astros’ trade deadline moves

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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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.