How crucial ingredients for an Astros-Yankees trade are quickly adding up
TRADE RUMORS SWIRLING
14 July 2023
The Houston Astros have a big opportunity ahead of them, and they're looking for ways to improve the club with the trade deadline on the horizon. Astros GM Dana Brown has stated that trading some of the team's outfield depth for another major league player could be a tactic they employ.
In fact, Ken Rosenthal reported that the Yankees (who could use some outfield help with Judge injured) reached out to ask about Chas McCormick.
Via:The Athletic
"We’re exploring trading major-league player for major-league player with teams that are contending that make sense,” Brown said. “We have a lot of outfielders right now..."
The Yankees had previous interest in McCormick, according to major-league sources who were granted anonymity so they could speak candidly. McCormick’s opposite-field power would appear ideal for the short right-field porch at Yankee Stadium. The teams, however, never got close on a deal.
First of all, who could blame any team for calling about Chas? The Astros still haven't fully committed to him in center field. Perhaps the Astros don't value him as much as other teams? Hey, it doesn't hurt to call.
But would the Astros entertain trading McCormick to the Yankees? Doubtful. Houston's top priority now is adding a starting pitcher. The Yankees have so many injuries to their rotation that a move like that wouldn't make sense for either party, so it stands to reason that a deal never got close.
Shipping off McCormick also would seriously impact the Astros depth. If they move Mauricio Dubon to center, their infield depth immediately takes a hit, and counting on Jake Meyers feels like a scary proposition. Plus, McCormick is one of the best hitters on a team that's struggling offensively (17th in team OPS).
So if not Chas, or a trade with the Yankees, would one of the Astros other outfielders provide any value in a trade? And which player would you rather see moved?
Don't miss the video above as we cover all the angles!
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Astros lose tight one despite brilliant outing from Hunter Brown
May 15, 2025, 10:29 pm
Jacob deGrom went eight innings to win his fourth consecutive start for the Texas Rangers, who got Jake Burger's solo home run off Hunter Brown in a 1-0 win over the Houston Astros on Thursday night in an anticipated pitchers' duel that certainly lived up to expectations.
Two-time Cy Young Award winner deGrom (4-1) is having quite a comeback after missing most of the last two seasons following Tommy John surgery. The 36-year-old right-hander struck out seven, two of those to end innings with two runners on base, while walking one and giving up five hits.
Brown (6-2), who is 10 years younger that deGrom, struck out nine without a walk while scattering three hits in his first career complete game. The righty was tied for the major league lead in wins and retired the first 12 batters he faced before Adolis García lined a double to left to start the fifth.
Shawn Armstrong worked around a two-out walk in the ninth for his second save.
Burger went deep leading off the sixth, a 394-foot drive into the Texas bullpen in right-center for his fourth homer of the season.
Key moment
Rangers right fielder García made a sliding catch of a sinking liner by Mauricio Dubón for the final out of the seventh when Houston had a runner at second base. García had several nice plays, including a sliding catch near the line after running a long way to open the fourth.
Key stat
Bruce Bochy got his 2,195th career win to break a tie with Sparky Anderson for the sixth-most by an MLB manager. Bochy, who turned 70 last month, is in his 28th season as a manager, his third in Texas.
Up next
Rangers right-hander Nathan Eovaldi (4-2, 1.78 ERA) goes into Friday night having allowed only two earned runs over 25 innings in his last four starts (3-0). Right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. (0-1, 15.75) makes only his third start for Houston since the 2022 World Series.
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