Examining newest Astros trade reports, priorities, and opportunities to fortify Houston
WHEELING AND DEALING
16 July 2024
Let's make a deal! Composite Getty Image.
The MLB trade deadline is right around the corner, and the Astros have already been linked to several intriguing names across baseball.
Astros GM Dana Brown has reportedly been in conversations with the Mets about first baseman Pete Alonso and pitcher Luis Severino, according to The Athletic's Jim Bowden.
Bowden is also reporting that Brown has asked about Diamondbacks first baseman Christian Walker, Cubs first baseman/outfielder Cody Bellinger, and White Sox pitcher Garrett Crochet.
Considering the Astros' needs, pitching appears to be the club's top priority, with Justin Verlander still on the IL and Luis Garcia and Lance McCullers not guaranteed to contribute this season.
While it would be nice to upgrade at first base, Jon Singleton and Mauricio Dubon have done a decent job since Jose Abreu was released earlier this year.
The other factor to consider is which teams will actually be sellers at the deadline. It's hard to believe the Mets and Diamondbacks will be looking to sell based on their records at the All Star break. New York currently holds the third wild card spot, and the D-Backs are only a game behind them.
Be sure to watch the video above as we examine which players would be the best fit for Houston, what they would have to give up in the trade, the likelihood of getting a deal done, and much more!
Catch our weekly Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast. Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo discuss varied Astros topics. The first post for the week generally goes up Monday afternoon (second part released Tuesday) via The SportsMap HOU YouTube channel or listen to episodes in their entirety at Apple, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts.
A timely blast from Caratini fuels another Astros win
Jul 1, 2025, 11:32 pm
Victor Caratini hit his third career grand slam, Christian Walker went 3 for 4 with an RBI and the Houston Astros beat the Colorado Rockies 6-5 on Tuesday night.
CARATINI GRAND SLAM!#BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/Rtrlwz9dfo
— Houston Astros (@astros) July 2, 2025
The Astros have won seven of eight and 15 of their last 19 games.
The Rockies have lost nine of 11 following their first four-game winning streak, falling to a major league-worst 19-66. Colorado’s losses are tied for the most by a major league team in the modern era through the first 85 games.
The Rockies are 8-33 at Coors Field, tied with the 2003 Tigers for the worst start through the first 41 home games of a season in the modern era.
Caratini’s homer in the third gave Houston a 6-1 lead.
Houston reliever Bennett Sousa (2-0) kept Colorado scoreless in the sixth and Bryan Abreu struck out the side in the eighth. Josh Hader added two strikeouts in the ninth to improve to 24 for 24 in save chances — the longest perfect streak in club history to open a season.
Colorado rookie Chase Dollander (2-9) allowed six earned runs in 2 2/3 innings, his shortest start of the season.
Hunter Goodman hit solo homers in the first and ninth innings for his fifth career two-homer game.
Colorado's Jordan Beck had his first career five-hit game.
Key moment
Dollander thew the ball into center field on a pickoff attempt with no outs in the third to put runners on first and third. Jake Meyers picked up an RBI on a fielder’s choice to give Houston the lead for good at 2-1.
Key stat
Jose Altuve went 0 for 4 to remain one hit shy of tying Jeff Bagwell (2,314) for second place on the Astros career hits list.
Astros manager Joe Espada caught up with MLB.com's Brian McTaggart after the game.
Astros manager Joe Espada after the win in Colorado. pic.twitter.com/G0xi7ojYEl
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) July 2, 2025
Up next
Hunter Brown (8-3, 1.74 ERA), who has the fourth-lowest ERA through the first 16 starts of a season in Astros history, faces Austin Gomber (0-1, 6.14) on Wednesday.
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