The MLB Trade Deadline is Tuesday, July 30, with the Houston Astros chasing after starting pitching depth, with a bat and potentially a bullpen arm as secondary concerns. With their recent surge, the Astros are now buyers and are expected to try to make at least one move to improve the team in their chase for an 8th straight ALCS appearance.
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CURRENT INTEL
JULY 28 UPDATE
- The Astros are prioritizing starting pitching, with players like Jack Flaherty, Yusei Kikuchi and Jameson Taillon (The Woodlands HS grad) as reported targets, however personally I’ve heard very little on those players specifically. Flaherty and Kikuchi are rentals. A source on Flaherty - “there’s a lot of interest in him around the league.” Taillon signed a 4-year, $68 million deal with the Chicago Cubs before the 2023 season, and would have more than two years of control, albeit at a high salary.
- Houston had interest in 3B/IF Isaac Paredes of the Rays, but the Cubs swooped in and traded for Paredes Sunday, sending streaky power hitter Christopher Morel and two pitching prospects to Chicago.
- The White Sox have discussed the framework of a three-team deal with the Dodgers and Cardinals, league sources tell KRPC 2. The Dodgers are targeting Cardinals utilityman Tommy Edman, and working to acquire him. The Cardinals are interested in White Sox starting pitcher Erick Fedde. No deal is in place at the moment. Edman has yet to play in 2024, and is returning from an October wrist surgery.
JULY 24
- The Los Angeles Dodgers are active buyers, with Garrett Crochet as a “priority,” a league source tells KPRC 2. So far, the price is a lot, a source says, and a big trade - like that of Crochet, could come down to the wire.
- The Baltimore Orioles are interested in A’s closer Mason Miller, a source tells KPRC 2. However, the price for Miller - who has 5 more years of club control, would be extremely high.
- The Houston Astros are among several teams interested in 1B/3B Isaac Paredes of the Rays, an All-Star. Paredes is an extreme pull hitter, so much so that every single one of his 69 career home runs have been pulled. He would fit well at Minute Maid Park, with the Crawford Boxes. Paredes could play 1B in 2024, and then take over at 3B if Alex Bregman is not re-signed in 2025. Paredes has three more seasons of club control after 2024, which will mean he would not come cheap.
TRADE DEADLINE PRIMER
Who are the buyers?
Outside of the Astros, watch for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Baltimore Orioles, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies and Seattle Mariners to be active in making upgrades.
Who are the sellers?
The Chicago White Sox, the Los Angeles Angels, the Oakland Athletics, the Miami Marlins and Colorado Rockies are the main sellers, so watch for the Astros to engage those teams.
What big names are we watching for?
The top name at the deadline is probably White Sox All-Star pitcher Garrett Crochet, who is a converted reliever. There are concerns about his longevity this year, but Crochet has been lights out and would be a big addition to any team down the stretch.
Tigers starter Jack Flaherty is having a great year in Detroit, and with the Tigers outside of contention should be on the move.
Marlins outfielder/infielder Jazz Chisholm is also likely to move, and can provide an impact bat and defensive versatility.
The Marlins also have an All-Star closer in Tanner Scott, whose dominance is wasted on a losing team.
Though unlikely, Athletics flamethrowing closer Mason Miller and Tigers All-Star starter Tarik Skubal would be prizes for big money teams.