TRADE SZN
How Astros trade could bolster lineup by doing the unthinkable
Jun 8, 2023, 2:51 pm
How Astros trade could bolster lineup by doing the unthinkable
The Houston Astros reportedly have their trade deadline wishlist put together, and two players at the top of the list are Guardians' starting pitcher Shane Bieber and Marlins' outfielder/DH Jorge Soler.
While Soler makes sense for several reasons, a deep dive into Bieber's stats should give the Astros cause for pause. He's falling off significantly according to advanced stats, despite having a 3.57 ERA.
Another thing to question is whether manager Dusty Baker would play Soler enough to make the trade make sense. Yainer Diaz is clearly the better option than Martin Maldonado, but still rarely gets playing time.
We've seen this before from Baker. He wouldn't play Chas McCormick regularly which caused GM at the time, James Click, to trade Myles Straw to clear the way for McCormick. And let's not forget Baker rarely playing catcher Christian Vazquez last year after he was traded to Houston from the Red Sox.
With all this in mind, is there a scenario where Astros GM Dana Brown feels he has to trade Maldonado to get more opportunities for Diaz? Rumor has it that Justin Verlander would like to see Maldonado on the Mets.
You don't want to miss the video above as we lay out all the possible scenarios.
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Oswald Peraza hit a two-run single in the ninth inning to help the Los Angeles Angels snap a three-game losing skid by beating the Houston Astros 4-1 on Saturday night.
Peraza entered the game as a defensive replacement in the seventh inning and hit a bases-loaded fly ball to deep right field that eluded the outstretched glove of Cam Smith. It was the fourth straight hit off Astros closer Bryan Abreu (3-4), who had not allowed a run in his previous 12 appearances.
The Angels third run of the ninth inning scored when Mike Trout walked with the bases loaded.
Kyle Hendricks allowed one run while scattering seven hits over six innings. He held the Astros to 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position, the one hit coming on Jesús Sánchez’s third-inning infield single that scored Jeremy Peña.
Reid Detmers worked around a leadoff walk to keep the Astros scoreless in the seventh, and José Fermin (3-2) retired the side in order in the eighth before Kenley Jansen worked a scoreless ninth to earn his 24th save.
Houston’s Spencer Arrighetti struck out a season-high eight batters over 6 1/3 innings. The only hit he allowed was Zach Neto’s third-inning solo home run.
Yordan Alvarez had two hits for the Astros, who remained three games ahead of Seattle for first place in the AL West.
Key moment
Peraza’s two-run single to deep right field that broke a 1-1 tie in the ninth.
Key Stat
Opponents were 5 for 44 against Abreu in August before he allowed four straight hits in the ninth.
Up next
Astros RHP Hunter Brown (10-6, 2.37 ERA) faces RHP José Soriano (9-9, 3.85) when the series continues Sunday.