Three Astros Who May Be Moved At The Trade Deadline

The Astros are once again title contenders, though maybe not as overwhelming of a favorite as they have been in years' past. The pitching staff, though battling injury, is great. The offense hasn't put it all together yet, but has plenty of talent to get the job done.

With title expectations come upgrades at the deadline. Do the Astros look for an impact bat if Michael Brantley never returns? Do they grab another starter instead of rolling with France and Bielak down the stretch? Moves are going to be made either way.

Here are the three Astros most likely to be moved at the trade deadline.

#1 Chas McCormick

You have to feel for Chas McCormick. He has established himself as an above-average big league player. He brings 20-home run pop, a high walk rate and great defense in center field. For whatever reason, Dusty Baker has never really embraced Chas.

McCormick started in center for the World Champs last season, but that was moreso because they didn't have anybody else rather than a sign of approval. After Chas went down with an injury this season, a resurgent Jake Meyers took the ball in center and hasn't looked back.

With Meyers having a stronghold on the center field position and Mauricio Dubón now picking up starts in left field, Chas may be the odd man out.

He's probably deserved more than the hand he has been dealt, but he will always have one of the best plays in World Series history and a ring to hang his hat on. Maybe Chas goes to a team like the Royals that have been stuck in a perpetual rebuild and desperately needs outfielders.

A reunion with Zack Greinke could be in the cards for some pitching depth. Amir Garrett would be great in the Astros bullpen, especially if Montero doesn't find form. Or even, dare I say it, *gulps* a resurgent Aroldis Chapman that looks to be on top of his game once again.

#3 Lance McCullers Jr.

At this point, what type of return would McCullers even fetch? He's great when he plays, but as we said last week, he just never does.

His rehab process has slowed once again, now not even throwing off a mound. Houston can't afford to sit around and wait for LMJ for two reasons.

One--the Rangers aren't going anywhere. Their division rival is legit. Houston needs depth in the lineup and rotation to keep pace.

Two--they've got guys that actually play that need extended. José Altuve and Alex Bregman's contracts expire after next season. Framber and King Tuck expire in 2025. LMJ's five year, $85 million deal seemed like a bargain when he signed the extension, but he's made eight regular season starts since it went into effect.

Houston is paying $17 million a year in dead money. They may try to unload McCullers if for no other reason than cap flexibility for other trades and future extensions. A team not quite ready to contend yet, say Detroit, may be able to be patient while McCullers rehabs this year before sending him out in 2024 to mentor a young staff.