Astros deadline setting up to be departure of style from previous seasons, GMs
PRESENTED BY COORS LIGHT
28 July 2023
The MLB trade deadline is just days away and we're hearing a lot of rumblings about what the Astros might do. Houston GM Dana Brown said he plans to be aggressive, but do we really know what that means?
This is Brown's first deadline as a GM, and with the Astros farm system depleted of top end talent, this appears to be a tough challenge for the rookie GM.
The other thing to keep in mind, is how this deadline will shine some light on what Brown prioritizes. Does he see things the same way as the Astros front office has in the past? Coveting pitchers with high spin rate and leaning on advanced analytics?
Or will he continue what Jeff Bagwell started in the offseason preferring to use the eye test and traditional scouting techniques that have existed in baseball for decades?
The other thing to factor in is the limited number of teams looking to sell at the deadline. Brown may not have the luxury of trading for exactly who he wants, and might have to simply settle on some players that can help this team, regardless of what the advanced analytics say.
It sure seems Bagwell's approach has backfired this year, with the signings of Michael Brantley, Rafael Montero, and Jose Abreu all looking like mistakes at this point in the season.
Be sure to watch the video above as we cover all the angles on the Astros trade deadline, and much more!
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Astros deliver perfect answer to Thursday night’s gut punch
May 30, 2025, 9:41 pm
Yainer Diaz homered with two outs in the ninth inning and Framber Valdez pitched a three-hitter to lead the Houston Astros to a 2-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday night.
THIS IS EL MATÍN. pic.twitter.com/Ynz9rAtiq8
— Houston Astros (@astros) May 31, 2025
The score was tied 1-1 entering the ninth. Garrett Cleavinger (0-1) struck out Jose Altuve and Christian Walker before Diaz sent a 98 mph sinker into the seats in right field to set off a wild celebration.
Valdez (5-4) gave up a homer to Jose Caballero in the first inning and tied a season high with nine strikeouts in his ninth career complete game and second this season.
Houston trailed 1-0 when Jake Meyers doubled to center field with no outs in the eighth inning and scored on Zach Dezenzo's single on a grounder. Dezenzo moved to second on a throwing error by second baseman Curtis Mead on the play.
Caballero homered on Valdez’s second pitch to give the Rays an early lead. The homer was just his second this season and the first since April 9.
Rays starter Ryan Pepiot allowed two hits in 6 2/3 scoreless innings in his second strong start after he threw seven scoreless innings in his last start.
Valdez retired 12 straight before Jonathan Aranda singled on a chopper to first base to start the fifth. Valdez got right back on track, striking out Danny Jansen before Mead grounded into a double play to end the inning.
Valdez sailed through the sixth, seventh and eighth innings, sitting down nine straight batters with three strikeouts.
Taylor Walls singled with one out in the ninth before Caballero walked. Walls was caught stealing third and Valdez retired Yandy Díaz on a groundout to complete his night.
Walker singled with two outs in the seventh to chase Pepiot. Kevin Kelly took over and was greeted with a single by Diaz. The Astros came away empty when Kelly struck out Cam Smith.
Key moment
The home run by Diaz allowed Houston to rally after losing the series opener 13-3.
Key stat
Valdez needed just 83 pitches to complete the game.
Up next
Rays RHP Zack Littell (4-5, 3.97 ERA) opposes Astros LHP Colton Gordon (0-0, 3.52) on Saturday.
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