Astros GM raises eyebrows with “untouchable” player comments

OFF THE TABLE

Houston Astros GM Dana Brown joined the team's flagship station this week and spoke about how the team will approach the trade deadline.

Brown was asked if any prospect would be untouchable in a trade, Brown said Drew Gilbert would only be made available if the trade was for a player with a few years of team control. In other words, they're not trading Gilbert for a rental.

In the past, Astros GM Jeff Luhnow treated Kyle Tucker and Forrest Whitley as untradeable prospects. And that certainly worked out in the case of Kyle Tucker. Forrest Whitley, however, was drafted in 2016 and still hasn't made an appearance in the big leagues.

Finally, is there a scenario in which the Astros would be sellers at the trade deadline? The team would have to be out of contention and/or suffer another huge injury to the pitching staff. Also, if the club can't get Cristian Javier back on track, making a deep playoff run would seem very unlikely this season.

If this scenario did play out, the Astros would have some quality pitchers in the bullpen to trade that are set to be free agents next season. Ryne Stanek (2024 FA), Phil Maton (2024 FA), and Hector Neris (player option for 2024 if he makes six more appearances this season) would definitely be in demand for teams looking to add to their depth for a postseason run.

But at the end of the day, the Astros will likely be in striking distance of making the playoffs when the trade deadline arrives on August 1. However, Houston's upcoming series with the Rangers could have a huge impact on how this season plays out.

Be sure to check out the video above as we break it all down.

If you enjoy the content, subscribe on YouTube so you don't miss our latest videos.

Listen to The Bench with John Granato and Lance Zierlein weekday mornings on ESPN 97.5 and 92.5 FM.

Most Popular

The Astros are cooking! Composite Getty Image.

The Houston Astros didn’t just sweep the Philadelphia Phillies. They sent a message.

In three tightly contested games against one of the best teams in baseball, the Astros leaned on their elite pitching and timely offense to secure a statement sweep. Hunter Brown was electric in the finale, shutting down the Phillies’ lineup and showing the kind of dominance that’s become a defining feature of his game. Bryan Abreu slammed the door with four strikeouts to close out the win, and rookie Cam Smith delivered the deciding blow — an RBI single in the eighth to drive in Isaac Paredes, lifting the Astros to a 2-1 victory.

It wasn’t a series filled with offensive fireworks, but that’s exactly the point. Both teams sent out top-tier pitching throughout the series, and Houston was the team that kept finding a way. For much of the season, the Astros’ inconsistent offense might’ve been a concern in a series like this. But this time, it felt different. The bats showed up just enough, and the pitching did the rest.

Now, with Houston on pace for 96 wins at the halfway point, the question becomes: Is the league officially on notice?

Maybe. Maybe not. But one thing is certain, the Astros have the third-best record in baseball, they’re 17-7 in one-run games, and they’re playing with the kind of rhythm that’s defined their near-decade of dominance. Unlike last year’s uneven campaign, this version of the Astros looks like a team that’s rediscovered its edge. Whether or not they need to take care of business against the Cubs to validate it, their recent run leaves little doubt: when Houston is clicking, there are very few teams built to stop them.

Off the field, however, a bit of long-term uncertainty is starting to creep in. Reports surfaced this week that extension talks with shortstop Jeremy Peña have been put on hold as he recently signed with super-agent Scott Boras. The combination has led many to wonder if Peña might follow the same free-agent path as Alex Bregman, Carlos Correa, and others before him. Boras clients rarely settle early, and Peña, now one of the most valuable shortstops in the game, could command a price tag the Astros have historically avoided paying.

If Peña and even Hunter Brown are likely to get priced out of Houston, the front office may need to pivot. Isaac Paredes could be the most logical extension candidate on the roster. His approach — particularly his ability to pull the ball with authority — is tailor-made for Daikin Park and the Crawford Boxes. Last year, Paredes struggled to leave the yard at Wrigley Field, but in Houston, he’s thriving. Locking him in long term would give the Astros offensive stability and the kind of value they’ve typically targeted.

As for Cam Smith, the breakout rookie is far from free agency and will remain a cost-controlled piece for years. That’s exactly why his contributions now, like his clutch eighth-inning knock to beat Philadelphia, matter so much. He's one more reason why the Astros don’t just look good right now. They look dangerous.

And the rest of the league is starting to feel it.

There's so much more to get to! Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!

The MLB season is finally upon us! Join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday.

___________________________

*ChatGPT assisted.

Looking to get the word out about your business, products, or services? Consider advertising on SportsMap! It's a great way to get in front of Houston sports fans. Click the link below for more information!

https://houston.sportsmap.com/advertise

Most Popular

SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome

Listen Live

ESPN Houston 97.5 FM