Would the Houston Astros trade Alex Bregman to the New York Yankees?

The Houston Astros are in the midst of their worst season since the start of the “Golden Era” and one of the worst in a long time.

With a 12-24 record heading into Thursday’s finale against the New York Yankees, it will be an uphill battle for them to advance to the playoffs and continue their record seven straight ALCS appearances in the American League.

If anyone can do it, it’s this veteran, battle-tested group of Astros who have shown MLB how elite it is over the past decade.

But this seems different from the other crises and cold streaks they’ve gone through in previous seasons.

There’s a real chance that if Houston can’t figure things out, they’ll be able to sell off their assets, which no one expected at the start of the year.

The most obvious moving piece would be Alex Bregman, as he is set to become a free agent once this season ends. The Astros could move him and get something in return instead of risking losing him for nothing.

Although Dana Brown insisted they won’t become sellers at the deadline, there’s a good chance they will.

If that’s the case, then Patrick McAvoy of Inside the Pinstripes thinks the Yankees could make a push to trade for the superstar third baseman and put him on their roster as they seek their first World Series title since 2009.

“Bregman will also be a free agent this offseason, so they won’t be tied to him long term unless they want to make a deal. New York is in win-now mode and Bregman’s arrival could help with that.” , he writes.

Of course, it all comes down to whether Houston would ever consider sending one of its franchise legends to a rival that also plays in the American League.

The short answer is probably no.

If the return was simply too lucrative to turn down, then maybe, but with Bregman hitting the open market after the year, the Yankees probably wouldn’t be willing to part with many of their elite prospects.

The superstar third baseman would be an asset to any team, despite his slow start to the season.

The Astros are hoping they don’t have to move him and that he can be there when they go for another World Series title, but if that’s not the case and they decide to trade him, at least make sure it’s not to the Yankees.