IT'S TRICKY
Essential factors to weigh when contemplating trade for infamous Astros hater
Jul 18, 2023, 12:16 pm
Trading for Cody Bellinger feels like a risky proposition. Composite Getty Image.
Astros bitten by the dog days, now being dealt a lucky hand
Whaddya think … should the Astros pursue acquiring outfielder Cody Bellinger before the MLB trade deadline in two weeks? Reports have the Astros making contact with the Chicago Cubs to see what it would take to land the bounce back Bellinger.
Adding Bellinger could boost the Astros good-guy image across the country. Bellinger would be the only Astro with a national commercial on TV. He pushes Dairy Queen Blizzards, and who doesn’t love DQ Blizzards? Besides Dairy Queen is “what I like about Texas” so a trade to Houston might help Bellinger’s endorsement portfolio.
In a related note, congratulations are in order for the Cake Batter Cookie Dough, named Blizzard of the Month for July. Personally, I can’t get off the Chocolate Brownie Xtreme year-’round. I get mine with a triple shot of choco chunks and cocoa fudge.
More important, If a deal gets done, which Cody Bellinger would the Astros be getting – a much-needed lefty bat and former National League MVP who batted .305 and belted 47 homers with a .629 slugging percentage in 2019 for the Dodgers, and currently is hitting .301 for the Cubs?
Or the Cody Bellinger who followed his MVP season with batting averages of .239, .165 and .210?
Plus don’t forget any bad blood between Bellinger and the Astros that may linger from 2020 when Bellinger unloaded on the Astros over the 2017 sign-stealing scandal.
After Astros players skated free from any punishment by MLB commissioner Rob Manfred, Bellinger said, “I thought the apologies were whatever. I thought Jim Crane’s was weak. I thought Manfred’s punishment was weak, giving (players) immunity. Those guys were cheating for three years. I think what people don’t realize is Altuve stole the MVP from Judge in ‘17. Everyone knows they stole the ring from us.”
When then-Astros shortstop Carlos Correa said, “If you don’t know the facts, then you got to shut the f-up” he was talking about Bellinger.
Only two Astros from the 2017 World Series champs are still on the roster: Jose Altuve and Alex Bregman. Both are influential voices in the clubhouse and front office. Several players remain from the 2020 roster, when Bellinger unleashed his criticism of the team.
If Bellinger were to join the Astros, presumably he would share left field and DH duties with the returning Yordan Alvarez.
Alvarez/Bellinger in left, Chas McCormick/Jake Meyers in center, and Kyle Tucker in right – that’s an outfield that can push for a World Series repeat.
It’s a curious outfield for sure. There are only two position players in the Major Leagues who throw lefty and bat righty – and the Astros have both of them: McCormick and Meyers. Curiously, the other two, Alvarez and Tucker, throw righty and bat lefty.
Of course we don’t know what the Astros would have to send to the Cubs in exchange for Bellinger. He wouldn’t come cheap. But regardless of who’s in the Astros trade package, the arrival of Bellinger would impact the Astros everyday lineup.
With Bellinger or Alvarez in the lineup, where would that leave Yanier Diaz the Astros current DH? Diaz also can play first base, but that’s held down by the seemingly immovable Jose Abreu. Diaz also can play catcher, and that’s where manager Dusty Baker would face a decision. Is it possible that Baker would swallow his stubbornness and demote Martin Maldonado to the bench in favor of Diaz? Judging by fans’ pleas on talk radio and social media, it would be a welcome move.
Maldonado is hitting an anemic .171 and slugging .301. He has seven passed balls and is throwing out only 16 percent of attempted base stealers. That’s below average for MLB catchers. With teams swiping bases like crazy this year – 50-percent more attempts than 2022 – opponents know they can run on the Astros with Maldy behind the plate.
Diaz is hitting .261 and slugging .487. On the rare occasions he gets to play catcher (20 starts), he’s throwing out 42 percent of attempted base stealers - that’s double the MLB average. He has zero passed balls.
The addition of Bellinger would shake up the defending World Series champs’ lineup. Would you be OK with that? Whaddya think?
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The Astros closed out their latest road trip with a winning record, a feat made more impressive considering the turbulence at the back of the rotation. Brandon Walter and Ryan Gusto both endured rough outings, with Walter in particular getting tagged hard. Still, Houston salvaged the finale, thanks largely to Mauricio Dubón’s breakout performance. The utilityman launched two home runs to power an offense that’s quietly been heating up for weeks.
But even with a solid finish, not everything is trending upward.
Josh Hader, who’s been one of the game’s most reliable closers this season, has begun to show signs of vulnerability. He’s allowed a home run in three of his last six outings. While his overall numbers remain strong, the long ball—a problem that plagued him last year—is starting to creep back into the picture.
As the Astros return home, the schedule offers no breather. They’ll face the Phillies and Cubs before a brief trip to Colorado to take on the struggling Rockies. After that comes a marquee series against the defending champion Dodgers in Los Angeles. With three of their next four opponents being legitimate World Series threats, the coming stretch looms large.
Can the bats keep pace?
If the last month is any indication, the Astros have reason to feel optimistic. Christian Walker has started to show signs of life after a quiet start to the season, hitting .260 with a .762 OPS and five home runs over the past 30 days. José Altuve has been scorching with a .302 average and .901 OPS in that span, while Jeremy Peña has taken things to another level, batting .384 with a 1.009 OPS.
As a team, the Astros rank 7th in OPS, 5th in runs, 3rd in batting average, and 7th in home runs over the last 30 days. It’s a surge that’s come at the right time—and one they’ll need to sustain.
The injury picture is also starting to shift in Houston’s favor.
Cristian Javier threw a 20-pitch live BP today in West Palm Beach. According to Joe Espada, he was up to 95 mph.
Luis Garcia should throw a live BP next week.
Spencer Arrighetti is still not throwing off a mound yet.
Yordan Alvarez has not resumed hitting.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) June 20, 2025
Joe Espada told The Athletic's Chandler Rome that Christian Javier recently threw a live batting practice session, touching 95 mph as he continues his return from Tommy John surgery. JP France has thrown multiple live BPs and could be ready to help if things continue to progress with his shoulder. Luis Garcia, however, remains further away despite undergoing surgery more than two years ago. He's expected to throw a live BP this week.
Spencer Arrighetti (thumb) should be able to return in August, and Lance McCullers has resumed throwing and is currently on the 15-day IL with a foot sprain.
The Astros are winning. The offense is rolling. The reinforcements are on the way. But with a brutal stretch looming, the team’s margin for error is about to be put to the test.
There's so much more to cover! 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.
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