The Houston Astros are one of the surprise leaders in baseball this season and at the trade deadline they could be buyers, as the rotation could use some help and players like Cole Hamels, Scott Kazmir and Johnny Cueto will likely be available and this comes as the team has promoted to shortstop Carlos Correa and he could be a strong fantasy baseball pickup.
The Astros have been leading the AL West for most of the season and after being one of the worst teams in baseball for a stretch for years, the team could be in play for names at the deadline. According to the Sporting News, Hamels is a potential target for the Astros from the Phillies, as Philadelphia is in rebuilding mode and has been shopping Hamels since the offseason.
The Astros have Dallas Keuchel in the middle of a fantastic season and Houston would love to get another top of the line starter to anchor the rotation. The one big issue with Hamels and Houston is that the pitcher has a no trade clause with 20 teams on the list and he could veto things. Hamels reportedly doesn't want to be traded to the Toronto Blue Jays and the Astros could be in a similar boat.
According to SB Nation, the Astros could look at making a deal, but based on the fact that Hamels has a no-trade clause with 20 teams on it, making a move is unlikely. Hamels also likely will cost some top prospects and with Ruben Amaro asking the world of everyone, the Astros may not feel that a deal is worth it. The team reportedly asked the Red Sox for Mookie Betts and Blake Swihart in a deal for Hamels and got laughed away and that means Amaro wants top prospects.
According to the News Tribune in Washington, Amaro asked the Mariners for either Taijuan Walker or James Paxton to get Ben Revere, so that is where is head is(aka In the clouds). The Astros have players they can afford to give up, but that may not be part of the plan. Hamels is having another strong season after posting a sub-2.50 ERA last year, as he is 5-5 with a 3.19 ERA this season.
Keuchel has started the season 7-1 with a 1.85 ERA and that has helped the Astros as one of the league leaders in the MLB. According to Jose de Jesus Ortiz of the Houston Chronicle, the Astros have called up shortstop Carlos Correa, as the team wants a better option at the position over Marwin Gonzalez. Correa made his debut against the White Sox and he is coming in at just 20 years old and hit .385 while playing in Double-A before getting a promotion to Triple-A.
