Rival All-Star Could Be Prime Option For Astros At Upcoming Trade Deadline

If you had predicted that the Houston Astros were going to add at the upcoming trade deadline a month ago, some may not have believed you.

Houston had a rough start to the 2024 campaign and looked like it could end up being sellers. Superstar third baseman Alex Bregman even was mentioned as a possible trade candidate but the Astros turned things around.

Now Houston is tied for the top spot in the American League West and is looking like a playoff team. The trade deadline is just over a week away and MLB.com's Brian McTaggart said that adding pitching is the team's biggest need.

"With starting pitchers Justin Verlander, Cristian Javier, José Urquidy, Luis Garcia, Lance McCullers Jr., and J.P. France on the injured list, the Astros desperately need starting pitching," McTaggart said. "They don’t want to give up high-end prospects, but they should be able to land an arm that can eat some innings in the second half and take some burden off young starters Ronel Blanco and Spencer Arrighetti. Houston would also like to add a bat to the lineup, preferably one that could play at first base. A starting pitcher is a must, however."

If the Astros are going to add, one player they should consider looking into is Los Angeles Angels All-Star Tyler Anderson. The two-time All-Star has a "very high" chance of being traded, according to the New York Post's Jon Heyman.

A trade within the division may be difficult, but Anderson likely would cost less than someone like Chicago White Sox ace Garrett Crochet. Anderson has a 2.97 ERA so far in 19 starts and would give the Astros what they need at the top of the rotation although a deal should be considered unlikely.