One of the biggest surprises in the first few weeks of the 2024 MLB season has been the performance of the Houston Astros. The team is 12-22, already seven games behind the Texas Rangers in the AL West race and there are no signs of things turning around soon.
Houston has given up the fourth most runs in the American League, as their pitching staff is just not cutting it currently. Given how successful the core of this team has been for so long, they will almost certainly receive the benefit of the doubt.
But, what if we get near the MLB Trade Deadline later in the summer and the Houston Astros are still closer to last place in the division than first? Some very tough decisions will have to be made by the front office between now and then.
The Astros are going to be a team that people keep a very close eye on over the next few weeks. If they don’t turn things around, they could swing the momentum of playoff races by making some trades.
One player to watch is Alex Bregman. Tim Kelly of Just Baseball recently listed the slugging third baseman as the No. 2 player on his top 10 candidates to be moved ahead of the deadline. With Luis Arraez, the No. 1 player on the list already being traded, Bregman now assumes the top spot in the rankings.
“For as much success as Bregman has had in Houston, there’s something to be said for a change of scenery after parts of nine seasons in one place. A new challenge could reenergize Bregman, and given that he has 19 career postseason home runs, there would certainly be a slew of contenders interested in him if the Astros do indeed listen,” Kelly wrote.
Off to a brutal start and as an impending free agent, he is someone who could garner interest on the trade market. Through 31 games, Bregman is hitting .202 with a .284 on-base percentage and a slugging percentage of .269. Those are all on pace to be career-lows, as Bregman is mired in one of the worst slumps of his career.
His struggles at the plate have certainly contributed to the Houston Astros’ slow start in 2024. It will be interesting to see how the team plays things with him, as his future in Houston is certainly up in the air.
A Scott Boras client, he will assuredly test the market in the winter. If the Astros want to ensure they get something in return for him instead of losing him for nothing, entertaining trade offers this summer is the only way to do so.
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