Insider shares what the Houston Astros will do with their stars at the trade deadline

The Houston Astros are about to enter a period where they are going to have to make some decisions that they didn’t even think were on the table when they arrived in camp before spring training.

After bringing in Josh Hader, this team was considered the heavy favorite to represent the American League in the World Series again.

It wasn’t hard to imagine. They were one game away from reaching it in 2023 and have seemingly improved their squad ahead of this campaign.

However, the reality is that they are still a long stretch of average play away from having to decide if they are actually going to be sellers at the trade deadline.

General manager Dana Brown insisted they wouldn’t deal any of their players, saying they were likely going to become buyers. Season-ending injuries to Cristian Javier and Jose Urquidy certainly make that a near certainty.

Still, until the Astros are firmly back in the playoff picture instead of being 7.5 out of the AL West lead and 5.5 out of third Wild Card spot like they Enter Friday, there will be speculation that they might decide to pull the plug and start. recover assets in return.

Based on Brown’s comments, however, this is very unlikely to happen.

This was highlighted by MLB insider Jon Heyman.

“(Alex) Bregman is warming up now. He has average stats after his really bad start. He’s a very good hitter, an incredible third baseman…I don’t think they trade him. ( Kyle) Tucker, no way they’re trading… Framber (Valdez), I don’t think so,” he said.

This certainly fits with what Brown said, even when Houston looked completely lost as a team.

Unless the Astros are completely out of it by the July 30 deadline, it would be crazy to trade Kyle Tucker because he still has one year of club control left before hitting free agency. It’s the same situation for their ace Framber Valdez.

If they wanted to get a return, Bregman is the obvious trade chip as he will become a free agent after this season where he is expected to land a massive contract on the open market that Houston likely won’t be able to match.

But his sending seems unlikely, even if they continue to struggle.

He is a two-time World Series champion and one of the faces of this franchise.

The Astros have shown a willingness to let star players walk in the past, just look at Gerrit Cole, George Springer and Carlos Correa, but it’s clear that this organization still believes they can win the World Series until the day comes where they are officially eliminated.

Expect them to become buyers like Brown has been implying all along.