4 Former Astros Who Could Be On The Move At The MLB Trade Deadline

The trade deadline is fast approaching and the Houston Astros have managed to defy the odds and position themselves as potential buyers. Granted, it took a significant winning streak to get here and the Astros are still only hovering around .500, which isn’t exactly ideal, but it’s definitely better than where Houston was at the start of the month of June.

There will be plenty of speculation about the Astros’ plans at the trade deadline and rumors about specific moves between now and the end of July. There are already optimistic rumors about Garrett Crochet, and while that may be a bit of a stretch, there is at least a real argument now for Houston to try to make some moves. They’ve never been afraid to make a move before, and they won’t be afraid now, hovering on the fringes of the playoff picture.

Astros fans’ interest in the trade deadline extends beyond the front office’s deadline plans, however. We all love seeing how former Astros players are doing and who they end up landing with, even if the obsession can feel like stalking an old flame on the Internet. Here’s a look at some of the former Astros who could be moved at this year’s trade deadline and how robust their markets are.

Astros fans remember all too well when Springer left Houston to sign with the Blue Jays ahead of the 2021 season. He was an integral part of several deep playoff runs with Houston, including the 2017 World Series team, and many thought losing him was going to be a painful departure that could help create a monster team in Toronto.

Things didn’t turn out the same way. The Blue Jays have certainly been a very interesting team that made the playoffs in 2022 and 2023, but they have slumped this season and Springer has declined significantly since dealing with multiple injuries during the season 2021. He is now in the midst of the worst season of his career and Toronto is poised to be a major seller at the trade deadline, with Springer’s contract making Toronto’s list of prospects. My God, how quickly things can go wrong.

You have to go back quite a bit to remember José Cisnero’s time with the Astros. Over the course of the 2013 and 2014 seasons, Cisnero made a total of 33 appearances with a 4.66 ERA before parlaying a successful stint in independent baseball and the Mexican League into a stint with the Tigers (and now the Angels).

Even if Cisnero doesn’t play well in 2024 and is a 35-year-old reliever, he has a lot of upside going for him as a trade option. He has a one-year deal with the Angels, which will make him cheap to acquire in any deal, and he’s been a good reliever as recently as 2022. With plenty of relievers still changing hands at this time of year, and the Angels among the few teams already in a position to be sellers at the deadline, Cisnero could move.

Julks was an Astro until last May, when he became a casualty of Houston’s roster cuts in a trade with the White Sox after his DFA. While Julks had tantalizing potential with real speed and some pop, it had become painfully clear that his path to playing time with the Astros in the future was nonexistent.

After a good start with Chicago, Julks has calmed down a bit and is now hitting .229/.308/.385 in 107 plate appearances with them. However, Julks still has value as a fourth outfielder and pinch runner with plenty of team control remaining, and with the White Sox willing to trade virtually anyone with a pulse, Julks could be among several players in the White Sox who will have new homes before the deadline.

Maton was part of a group of relievers, along with Hector Neris and Ryne Stanek, that the Astros decided not to bring back for the 2024 season. Maton ultimately signed with the Rays, and although the Cubs will PROBABLY try to stay in the NL Central run with Neris, and Stanek remains a key piece of the bullpen for the division-leading Mariners, Maton may be the most likely to be moved.

Tampa Bay’s magic of winning despite cap space appears to have faded in 2024, and Maton is another bullpen player on an expiring contract who had an up-and-down season. Honestly, a reunion with the Astros might not be the worst idea, given Maton’s success with the team in his 2.5 seasons here (assuming Houston knows he’s healthy). Regardless of where he ends up, consider Maton one of the most likely players to be traded elsewhere if they can find a buyer for him.

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