Let's have an honest discussion about Astros' controversial approach to trade deadline

REAL TALK

Astros Jim Crane, Dana Brown, Jeff Bagwell, Joe Espada
Many fans fell like the team got fleeced. Composite Getty Image.

The Astros sent P Jake Bloss, OF Joey Loperfido, and IF Will Wagner to Toronto in exchange for lefty starter Yusei Kikuchi, who is 4-9 with a 4.75 ERA in 2024. Making matters worse, his contract expires at the end of the season.

Did the Astros overpay?

Be sure to watch the video above as ESPN Houston's John Granato and Lance Zielein weigh in.

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The Tucker trade is already paying huge dividends. Composite Getty Image.

It’s starting to look like the Astros knew exactly what they were doing.

What once felt like a risky move is quickly shaping up to be a win for Houston — and maybe a defining pivot point for the franchise. In this episode, we dig into how the Astros may actually be better off in the wake of the Kyle Tucker trade, thanks to a new wave of production and smart roster-building.

Cam Smith continues to rise with another eye-catching performance, launching two home runs and making the case that he’s already ahead of schedule. Meanwhile, Isaac Paredes has quietly emerged as a legitimate successor to Alex Bregman, offering power and presence in the infield.

And while Jeremy Peña wasn’t part of the Tucker deal, his 2024 resurgence adds even more fuel to the argument that this team is thriving — not surviving. The Astros aren’t just plugging holes. They’re planning for what’s next.

We also look at the bigger picture: What if Houston had moved on earlier from other aging or underperforming stars? Could they have been ahead of the curve even sooner?

So who’s really winning this breakup — the Astros or Kyle Tucker? We break it all down.

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