Fansided

Four Position Players The Astros Should Consider Trading For

By Alec Brown |
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The Astros offense needs help. Multiple players in the lineup have underachieved, Yordan Alvarez is going to miss a month with an oblique injury, and it's still unknown what, if anything, Michael Brantley will contribute this season.

Corey Julks has played in 51 games this season--36 of which have come in left field and 12 at DH. While Julks is a capable big leaguer, a team isn't going to win a World Series with his bat in the lineup every day.

Dusty Baker still remains reluctant to commit to Chas McCormick, who has the third-highest OPS and OPS+ on the team. He's also reluctant to give at-bats to Yainer Diaz, who's .760 OPS is one point lower than Chas' .761.

For whatever reason, Dusty won't play the best offensive lineup for a team desperate to score runs. In the spirit of Moneyball, Dana Brown may need to tell Dusty he can't start Julks because he's been traded.

In all seriousness, it's unlikely Brantley can be counted on for much contribution this season. The Astros need another bat or two to boost the offense.

Let's look at three outfield/DH candidates the Astros could trade for at the deadline.

#1 Luis Robert Jr.

He'd be the most expensive option, but he'd also be the best addition. Robert Jr. is currently hitting .264 with an .859 OPS. His 17 home runs would provide some much needed thump to a lineup desperate for power.

At times, Robert has gotten himself in hot water for not hustling, but the Astros clubhouse and veteran leadership coupled with the ability to play for a contender would help shore that up.

He currently holds a 2.9 bWAR, which would be the highest on the team.

Robert is under contract through 2025, with club options in 2026 and 2027. He'd cost a decent amount, but the Astros depth of outfield prospects and logjam at the big league level could help push the deal across.

He's played exclusively center field in the big leagues, so it's unknown how he would profile in a corner, but if Jake Meyers were to go and Chas stayed, Chas could play left while Robert in center and Kyle Tucker in right.

If everybody gets healthy, a playoff outfield of Alvarez, Robert and Tucker with Brantley as the DH turns what is currently a weak lineup into one of the best in the game. Chas/Jake could then function as the late game pinch runner.

If the Astros want to give themselves their best chance at repeating, Luis Robert Jr. needs to find himself in Houston after the deadline.

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#2 Joc Pederson

Hardly a beloved figure in Houston, there is no love lost between Joc Pederson and Astros fans. But winning covers a multitude of sins. Joc would immediately deepen the Astros lineup, balancing it out with another left-handed bat.

Pederson is currently on a Giants team that may not be sellers just yet, but if they fall further off the pace, it's likely they'd take offers for Pederson rather than let him walk for nothing. Pederson is hitting .280 with a .923 OPS this season.

He's exclusively a DH, making one start on the season in left, but assuming Yordan comes back healthy, Pederson would be a fantastic option if Uncle Mike can't find his way back.

He's slugging .533 this season, but his .585 xSLG is even higher. He does strike out 21.9% of the time, but his 14.1% walk rate would be the highest on the team. Pederson would bring a high on-base percentage that fits with the Astros pass the baton approach, but he also has pop that could help put crooked numbers on the board.

He's also a seasoned October performer, with an .814 OPS and 12 home runs in his playoff career on his way to winning two rings. The bright lights of another ALCS and World Series trip wouldn't faze him.

Pederson would be a great piece in Houston.

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#3 LaMonte Wade Jr.

Landing LaMonte Wade Jr. fills multiple needs for the Astros. He hits from the left side, bringing balance to the lineup. He is an on-base machine that would deepen a lineup in need of help. And most pertinent of all, he can play both the outfield and first base.

Wade Jr. has made 45 starts at first base this season, eight in left field, five in right field and one in center. For his career, Wade Jr. has made 96 starts at first base, 95 in right field and 64 in left.

He's better at first base, where he's been worth five defensive runs saved this season. If the recent José Abreu resurgence doesn't last, Wade could step in at first base and bolster the team on offense and defense. If Abreu maintains form, Wade could spell him for off days and play all throughout the outfield.

The Astros were mostly healthy last season. Already this season they've suffered far more injuries. Wade's versatility would help keep guys fresh and his talent would help them contend for a title.

San Francisco Giants v St. Louis Cardinals
San Francisco Giants v St. Louis Cardinals / Andy Kuno/San Francisco Giants/GettyImages

#4 Michael Conforto

Another San Francisco Giant makes the list. If the Giants fall off the pace, one of Pederson, Wade Jr. or Michael Conforto must find themselves in Houston after the deadline. Conforto got off to a slow start in March/April, but now holds a .248 average with a .790 OPS and a 116 OPS+.

Another lefty, he too would balance the Astros lineup. He's under contract through this season with a player's option for next season, and would likely be the cheapest of the four options listed. He's in the 82nd percentile in walk rate, 66th percentile in barrel rate, 65th percentile in hard hit rate and 61st percentile in xwOBA.

All 53 of his starts in the field this season have come in right field, so he would possibly create a log jam with Kyle Tucker, though he's got 259 career starts in left field.

Conforto is the worst of the four options listed as he does have some history of injuries and is a subpar defender, but if Yordan's injury isn't too serious and if Michael Brantley won't be able to contribute this season, Conforto would greatly help the lineup as a DH.

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