The Astros came back from a ninth-inning deficit to take an extra-inning win tonight over the Angels. That improves their record to 31-37. They’ve evened out after an 8-18 April but haven’t really cut into the early-season hole they dug, playing slightly above .500 since the beginning of May.
That would ordinarily point toward a likely deadline seller. However, a mediocre American League playoff picture has kept every team aside from the Angels within range of a postseason spot. With almost two months to go until the trade deadline, front offices aren’t going to be eager to sell. That’s certainly true in Houston, where general manager Dana Brown said the team hasn’t even considered the possibility of trading its two best position players.
“We’ve had zero discussions about trading (Jeremy Peña or Yordan Alvarez) internally,” Brown told Matt Kawahara of The Houston Chronicle. “We’ve had zero conversations. So we can’t go trading two pillars. Both those guys hit at the top of our lineup.”
It’s not surprising given the playoff picture and Houston’s general win-now posture. No one would’ve expected the Astros to seriously entertain trading either of those players in June. Alvarez has been the best hitter in MLB this year and is signed for two seasons beyond this one at $26MM annually. Peña is making $9.475MM and will likely land around $15MM for his final season of arbitration in 2027.
Both players would have immense appeal on the trade market. They’re also crucial to Houston’s hope of returning to the postseason after a narrow miss in 2025. Owner Jim Crane has operated with a win-now mentality for more than a decade. Brown, who is in his fourth season as GM, is in the final year of his contract. He’ll surely be motivated to add if the Astros are around the playoff mix.
“To be sellers, for me, it would be like we failed,” the GM told Kawahara. “So I don’t think this team is a team that’s going to be sellers at the deadline. I think we’re good enough. I think the division is wide open. We’ve gone through some injuries; I think other teams are starting to experience some injuries as well. The division is wide open, the postseason is wide open. So, I don’t foresee us being sellers.”
The Mariners, generally viewed as the preseason division favorites, are 35-32 and have the second-best run differential in the American League (+32). They’re two games up on the Rangers, three up on the A’s, and 4.5 clear of Houston. The Astros have a better path in the Wild Card, where a 32-33 Texas team currently holds the last playoff spot. Toronto, the A’s, and Baltimore sit between the Rangers and the Astros.
Alvarez, Peña, and Hunter Brown (eligible for arbitration through 2028) would be impact trade chips if Houston reversed course. It stands to reason the Astros haven’t given any thought to dealing their ace either. Christian Walker and Isaac Paredes were much discussed over the offseason. Walker, signed for $20MM annually through next season, has rebounded from a middling ’25 campaign to hit .252/.324/.500 with 16 homers through 278 plate appearances. Paredes is hitting a slightly disappointing .241/.331/.415 in 257 trips, though his bat has picked up over the past couple weeks.
Houston’s injury-riddled pitching staff was the biggest issue during their ugly first month. That has been better of late, particularly a bullpen that has the fifth-lowest ERA (2.88) over the past 30 days. They recently welcomed Josh Hader back in the ninth inning and could see Hunter Brown return from a shoulder strain next week. A lineup that was among MLB’s best early in the season has gone cold as the arms have come around, however. Houston hitters own a .221/.293/.375 slash line in the last month.
Injuries to Carlos Correa and Yainer Diaz have exposed preexisting concerns about the lineup depth. Walker has cooled after a blistering start to the season. Second-year right fielder Cam Smith has been inconsistent. Center fielder Jake Meyers hasn’t hit since coming back from an oblique injury. Left field has been a revolving door. Diaz’s own oblique issue has left them with Christian Vázquez as their starter behind the dish.
Adding to the outfield feels like a must if they’re in position to buy. They unsuccessfully tried to acquire a proven lefty-hitting outfield bat over the offseason, reportedly by floating Paredes in trade conversations. That was motivated by a perceived infield surplus that no longer exists with Correa out for the season, but Houston’s thin farm system and lack of margin under the luxury tax limit their flexibility on the trade front.
