MLB Insider speculates on the chances of the Houston Astros trading Bregman, Tucker and Verlander

The Houston Astros may have avoided a sweep against the New York Yankees on Thursday, but they’re still dead last in the AL West at 13-24.

As a result, an MLB insider believes they could shed some big names in the near future.

Jon Heyman of the New York Post on Thursday released a list of stars who could be moved forward before the 2024 MLB trade deadline. Of the 13 players featured, three were from the Astros.

Outfielder Kyle Tucker, third baseman Alex Bregman and starting pitcher Justin Verlander were all included as players likely to be moved away from their current teams.

Bregman is set to become a free agent this winter, and it remains to be seen if the Astros are interested in re-signing the 30-year-old two-time All-Star. In 34 appearances this season, Bregman is hitting .198 with one home run, 11 RBIs, a .534 OPS and -0.4 WAR.

Houston previously signed homegrown Bregman to a five-year, $100 million extension in 2019. He was a .274 hitter with an .861 OPS for his career in 2024, averaging 28 home runs, 99 RBIs and a 5.9 WAR. for 162 games.

Tucker is another local player, although he never got a long-term contract with the Astros. The 27-year-old is expected to enter free agency after the 2025 season, which will give Houston ample time to decide on him, but an early decision could net them a larger return.

Over the past few seasons, Tucker has established himself as an elite all-around player. He was named an All-Star in 2022 and 2023, winning a Gold Glove in 2022 and a Silver Slugger in 2023.

Tucker is currently hitting .268 with 11 home runs, 25 RBIs, six stolen bases and a .942 OPS and 1.9 WAR so far in 2024. Over the past three seasons, he has been a .278 hitter with a .870 OPS, averaging 30 home runs, 104 RBIs, 23 stolen bases and a 5.5 WAR per year.

As for Verlander, the 41-year-old has a full no-trade clause. Heyman guesses the veteran would give it up if he landed in Los Angeles, or if he moved closer to home with the Baltimore Orioles.

Verlander missed the first month of the 2024 regular season with shoulder inflammation. He looked solid through three starts, posting a 2.08 ERA to that point, but he allowed seven earned runs in 5.0 innings against the Yankees on Tuesday.

The nine-time All-Star and three-time Cy Young Award winner was traded from the New York Mets to the Astros at last year’s deadline. He’s owed $43.3 million this season, but the Mets are on the hook for most of it.

Verlander also has a $35 million vesting option for 2025, which is something to keep in mind for any team looking to trade for him. This will only go into effect if he pitches 140.0 innings, and the Mets once again pay half of that.

Getting rid of one or all three of these stars would mark a massive change in direction for the Astros as an organization. Bregman and Verlander helped the team win two World Series and reach the ALCS seven years in a row, while Tucker came halfway through the dynasty and won his own championship ring.

Heyman noted in his article that Houston isn’t a club that typically quits, but after spending big money to disappoint free agents Jose Abreu and Josh Hader over the past two offseasons, a pivot would be warranted.

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