Astros showing restraint at the deadline: The right move?

This year’s trade deadline is coming down to the wire. And the Astros seem to be making one thing clear: they were never going to make a big splash.

Instead of chasing big-name rentals or blockbuster deals, Houston is taking a quieter route, plugging holes and trying to avoid the luxury tax while banking on the return of their injured core. As the day begins, the only move has been to acquire versatile infielder Ramón Urías from the Orioles, a modest trade that signals more about Houston’s long game than the headlines it avoids.

Face it. The Astros don’t have the farm system or the money this year to compete with the big boys at the deadline.

Houston is still said to be interested in Sandy Alcantara and Dylan Cease, but those will also only be stop-gap type moves. Even then, they may have to jump through magic hoops (read: Dump Salary) to acquire them and avoid the luxury tax. So stay tuned.

With Isaac Paredes out, Urías provides a steady, if unremarkable, option at third base. His addition allows Mauricio Dubón to slide back into his Swiss Army knife role, covering various positions as needed, primarily second base, especially when Jeremy Pena returns. It’s not a flashy move, but it’s a functional one. And more importantly, it keeps the Astros under the luxury tax threshold for now, a key objective that could save millions in penalties and open doors in the offseason.

Rather than overhaul the roster, Houston is counting on the return of Spencer Arrighetti and Cristian Javier to stabilize the rotation. Sources seem to indicate the club still has interest in Cease and Alcantara, though neither is seen as a savior.

Cease has long been on the Astros’ radar, even before his move to San Diego. He remains their top target, we’re told. They obviously see something they can fix, change or alter for better. Is he the Yusei Kikuchi of 2025?

Alcantara, signed through 2027, is coming off Tommy John surgery in 2024 and likely wouldn’t hit his stride until 2026. Both are gambles—neither is Justin Verlander or Zack Greinke—but the front office seems comfortable with that reality.

Astros leadership is looking beyond October into silly season. With Framber Valdez headed for free agency (and most likely to walk, in my opinion) and looming salary hikes for Cristian Javier (from $10.4 million to $21.4 million) and Yordan Alvarez (from $15.83 million to $26.83 million), Houston is preparing for what could be a messy, expensive offseason.

Add in expected arbitration hikes for Jeremy Peña, Paredes, and others, and it’s clear the Astros are choosing to preserve payroll flexibility now to avoid a cap crunch later.

Houston was apparently never in serious talks for Eugenio Suárez, who instead landed in Seattle. Nor did they push hard for a Carlos Correa reunion. They could still prove us wrong, but despite all the wild fluffy, smoke-filled rumors, the front office seems to view this trade window not as an opportunity to retool, but rather as a chance to simply hold the line.

Hang on boys, the cavalry’s coming!

With Texas and Seattle in pursuit, and October looming, the question now becomes: Will it be enough? The jury is still out. More to come, stay tuned and all that stuff.

But the obvious takeaway is that Dana Brown may have had his most difficult job to date. We’ll find out later if it turns out to be his finest hour.

The Big Questions

  • Can Urías stabilize the infield?
  • Will Javier and Arrighetti return in time (and with enough) to matter?
  • Can the Astros hold off Seattle and Texas down the stretch?
  • And what’s next for Framber Valdez and the future of this core?

Houston fans have grown used to bold moves and October glory. This year, the boldest move might be showing restraint.

And soon, we’ll find out if it was genius or just wishful thinking.

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57 responses to “Astros showing restraint at the deadline: The right move?”

    • Steven, there is a lot of bluster and what I call a cacophony of noise. I’m growing more and more convinced that it’s all a smokescreen produced by media hoping for likes, views and sensationalism.

      For the most part, it’s speculation. Indeed, there are some sources that turn an average due diligence conversation into much more (Read: Correa), but it seems clear to me that Houston has a much longer-term plan, which may hurt in the short term, but may be much smarter and more responsible in the long run.

      My New Orleans Saints are the perfect example of kicking the can down the road for more than a decade now. Above avaerage to mediocre is what it has gotten the Saints.

      But, as we’ve said, wait and see, stay tuned and more to come.

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      • Plenty of media hype going on, especially from the self described scribes on X. They’ve already made every possible trade there is to make with the hope of getting one correct and thus gaining a degree of credibility.

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  2. And even more rumors – though maybe picking up Urias knocks the interest in Donovan to the side.

    Cardinals Getting Interest In Alec Burleson, Lars Nootbaar – MLB Trade Rumors

    As Steven was saying in the previous post – Urias is more the type of trade target we were expecting. They stay under the cap – he is a good glove at 3B – his bat is down this season, but perhaps like Paredes they think he will hit those Crawford Boxes a few times.

    They also will get to keep him next year in his last arb year – thinking that will be in the $5 million range. He can play 2B and is much more built to play that position than Paredes.

    I’m wondering if they may just let things ride on the pitching side. There is a very good chance that Arrighetti and Javier will be back very soon. Garcia and France may be a bit farther away, but they are at AAA. And maybe the word on Brandon Walter isn’t that bad.

    Are they still going to stay under the luxury tax? Might they send out Chas McCormick for a song to save $3.4 million and allow them to pick up a cheap lefty bat or a righty out of the bullpen?

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  4. I’m still wondering if Charlie Morton is not a target — or at least a fall-back option. There were rumors over the past week or so. If Baltimore could eat a little salary and the Astros could dump some (somehow), it might work just enough magic at the back end of the rotation.

    Remember: Mike Elias is the Baltimore GM, so there is a connection. It would make sense in this hold-the-rope scenario.

    For the record, Morton is 7-1, 3.66 since rejoining the rotation in late May.

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  5. I liked the Urias acquisition even before the confirmation we expected on Paredes. That’s a solid infield when Dubon is over at second.

    With Pena back at short and Urias at third tomorrow night, that already takes two AAA bats out of the line up. We’ll be more competitive.

    I’m still expecting a lefty hitter at some point today. Jesus Sanchez remains my choice unless the boss has a bigger splash in mind. That would mean a third AAA bat out of the line up most nights.

    Little steps. And I’m not convinced Crane won’t still make a splash in the next few hours. That’s his MO.

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  7. I checked twice on Roster Resources site of the current Astros payroll for 2025. It shows Baltimore paying $2,133,000 to the Astros for Urias, with all of it being applied to this years payroll total. Thus, the Astros payroll estimate still sits just below $236 million.

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  8. My goodness! Anyone see what Preller did in SD. Closer Miller and a SP Sears for 4 high prospects? And they already had a top BP prior to the trade. Are the Astros still in on Cease? He’s definitely on the move now. And Suarez.

    Ok, back to reality. If the Stros plan to stay beneath the luxury cap, including shedding salary, how can they afford to pay Framber? Maybe they do both and break even, I dunno. I admit to not being well versed in things MLB related, especially $$$. I do know this, SP trades have yet to begin. Can’t wait. My hope is Framber (which I doubt very seriously) is in that mix. Some desperate tm will pay a premium, or a decent ransom for his services, and I think DB can eke out a nice return. Check in on my hometown Cubs Dana. Ok, Crane wants to make another run at a WS, then run with what we have. Win, lose or draw I’ll be okay with the outcome. No more free passes please on our key contributors counting $$ in free agency

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  10. NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO……..

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  11. Well now that we have blown the tax threshold for a .250 hitter with minimum power to play 3B (and probably 2B next year), lets just go get O’Hearn and Cease with our best prospects and push the chips in. 2025 or bust.

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    • Steven, that’s my thought. Correa could be an expensive (for us) 3 plus years. But might as well go get the Cease deal done. I’m glad they got Sanchez. And I thought Urias was a nice responsible pick up!

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  12. Money Andre…

    Jose Abreu – $19.5 million comes off

    Rafael Montero – $8.5 million comes off

    Ryan Pressly – $5.5 million comes off

    Victor Caratini – $6 million comes off (or gets a raise and comes back)

    Brendan Rodgers – $2 million comes off

    Framber Valdez – $18 million comes off (or signs for bigger bucks as a FA)

    Arbitration guys who will get a raise ($$ shown are for 2025)

    • Bryan Abreu – $3.4 million
    • Mauricio Dubon – $5 million
    • Isaac Paredes – $6.6 million
    • Jeremy Pena – $4.1 million
    • Jake Meyers – $2.3 million
    • Luis Garcia – $1.8 million

    First time arbitration guys

    • Yainer Diaz – $800 K
    • Hunter Brown – $760 K

    Arbitration guys who might get released

    • Chas McCormick – $3.4 million
    • Maybe Luis Garcia or Mauricio Dubon

    I don’t know where it all settles out after that – but part of the consideration for Framber is that for 2026 you only have to think about how much more than that $18 million you are giving him. (Ignore the $150 – 180 million over the rest of the contract??)

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    • Dan, we were staring at $130M in salary for just six players before we considered arbitration, any pay increases to young guys, or signings to replace the guys like Framber coming off the books.

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    • Yeah Dan, he’s always around an .800 OPS against righties and will be solid in the outfield. Sure is a lot going on!

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    • My issues with Sanchez is the same as what is becoming more and more common in baseball – a better (or worse) than 3 to 1 KK to BB ratio. I just see players like that and think your slumps feel even slumpier because in the midst of a 2-25 stretch (they happen to everyone) you are also not drawing walks, and they tend to strike out at times that you are thinking I need anything but a strikeout.

      But is he a significant upgrade over Cooper Hummel? In 90% of the at bats, sure.

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  15. Sanchez and Correa. Well I guess Hummel and Short have seen their last at bats.

    We are a better team on the field today, but I don’t see how the Astros are in better shape unless Crane has suddenly morphed into Cohen.

    Anyone who thinks the man is cheap now…. where is Bopert by the way. He has to be loving this.

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  16. If the Twins were to pay the remainder of Correa’s salary for 2025, the Astros would still be under the luxury tax limit.

    Sanchez is only due another $1.5 mil for the remainder of 2025. Leaving the Astros room for another deal if they care to and could still stay under the limit.

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  17. So much for restraint! I wonder how much this has to do with the way other AL contenders positioned themselves? Seattle. Detroit. Yankees. There was a lot of movement over the past 24-48 hours.

    Did Houston consider that it was a necessity now? Did they get some other news from recovering players? Were they not enamored by some rehabbing players?

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    • The players going to Miami for Sanchez are Gusto, Chase Jaworsky(our #13 prospect) and Esmil Valencia, a 19 yo outfielder.

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    • Just thinking that Chip. The owner of the organization clearly knows much more about fiscal responsibility than I do. I do think the Correa acquisition is kind of kookie, but damn the torpedos and get the Cease deal done.

      I’ve got to say, Jim Crane is a gamer. And even if he gets it wrong, I appreciate his willingness to make the leap.

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    • Love that Simon

      My brother asked if Carlos is going to be back in the HEB commercials. I said they will AI him over the old Bregman ads and voila

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      • I see Brandon Rogers has the Number 1 number at the moment. I guess CC would win in a fight, to get that back ….

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  22. Here you go. Have some fun with this. NOW, keep in mind, we don’t know what they gave up for Correa, so that could alter htis lineup, but what a change a day makes.

    SS Pena

    2B Altuve

    LF Sanchez

    1B Walker

    3B Correa

    DH Urias

    C Diaz

    RF Smith

    CF Chas/Dubon

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  25. Thanks Dan for the statically info. Damn! I did not see any of what has transpired happening. Crane has pushed in the chips and apparently they are not done dealing yet. Wow! Oh, O’Hearn has been dealt by the way.

    Chop licking time gang, especially when we see what SP the Stros end up with. This is going to be an interesting few hrs from now

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  26. When Friday night games come around the league, you’ll need a scorecard. I wonder if this is some type of record for # of trades/players. Or is it just that it’s happening all at once?

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  28. Apparently one prospect headed to Minnesota for Correa. Cash coming with Correa to Houston, just not known how much.

    But…the trade is in “medical review”. Not. Done. Yet.

    Also…Correa would re-debut with the Astros Friday…in Boston…against Bregman.

    NOTE: NEITHER MINNESOTA NOR HOUSTON HAS CONFIRMED THE DEAL.

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    • They at least stabilized the offense…assuming the Correa deal is actually done. Joe will have fun again with the lineup…some real toys to play with starting Friday.

      But they put a lot of pressure on the starting pitching. Arrighetti can replace Gusto easily, but he’ll have to ramp up quickly. I have concerns about Javier and Garcia, who haven’t pitched int he majors in a while.

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      • Correa must be able to give us 100 to 125 quality games a year. We’re picking up most of his salary.

        Urias came cheap, but he’s now a utility man.

        I like Sanchez. I’m guessing Cam will see some center, maybe soon. What about Jake?

        If Yordan comes back, I doubt we see him in left. Where does Altuve play everyday?

        We did not get Cease after a whole lot of intrigue. The Rangers got Kelly, huge late move. Heck, I would have been in favor of Charlie Morton, but Detroit got him in the last hour.

        Does Paredes get his job back on Opening Day 2026 if healthy? I’m not sure how that might work. He is not a second baseman.

        We won’t have such a feeble line up. There won’t even be much AAA room on the bench. Given health, we might be a force.

        I’m still very Leary of our lack of pitching depth. As Chip noted, we’re down another starter today.

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  31. Wow, it was just a salary dump for Minnesota. My guess is the team is setting up to be more appealing to a seller.

    Minnesota paying down $33 million and Astros sending prospect Matt Mikulski to Minnesota. Mikulski is not a top prospect and only in A ball after being a second-round pick in 2021.

    Still waiting for announcement from either team.

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  34. Last night I said the Astros wanted Correa and a LH hitting outfielder. I nailed it. Then I listed 18 guys I thought made the list of who might have a chance to be traded and I struck out. I think it is because I always know who I want, but I never want to give up anyone.

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  35. In other news, Ryan Pressly is now available to bring back. He was designated for assignment. Forget about age, forget about numbers, forget about salaries, just start bringing all these guys back.

    I’m a bit salty this morning. I don’t like nostalgia acts. They are not good for a team. This move would have never happened under Luhnow. This is not how you play moneyball. You don’t trade for guys that cost 93M, even if its just 60M to you, that has a 0.1 WAR this year, a .704 OPS, his worse K/BB ratios of his career, with an injury rap sheet like that. Everything is trending towards disaster. Minnesota was extremely “cordial” in getting the guy off their roster.

    Urias was the perfect under the radar move. Sanchez is not a perfect move for me, I think there may have been better options like Donovan or Tauchmann that fit what this lineup needs more, but I ain’t mad about Jesus Sanchez, certainly he is a plus upgrade. This is the exact kind of team, with right handed hitting options, that can make sure his at bats against lefties are limited.

    I’m not sure about rumors of a Cam/Jesus platoon. I think we will still see plenty of both. I think there will be days where Urias will be at 2B, Altuve in LF, and Cam in RF against lefties, and plenty of times Altuve is at 2B and Sanchez in LF against righties. And I think there will be days that Cam sits and Sanchez goes out to right so Urias can see at bats. Heck, there will be days we see Urias at 3B and Correa sitting.

    The biggest thing I think we did though – Ullola is still with this franchise. So is Melton. So is Fleury. So is Janek. So is Brito. There are holes in them all. Ullola and Brito struggle with the zone. Melton may end up a depth/platoon piece, 4th or 5th OFer, but has some pop and can play outstanding D. Janek can’t seem to get out of Asheville but by all accounts is a good receiver, maybe just a .250 hitter type, but they can’t all be stars and we need that depth right now. Fleury can’t stay healthy, but when he does, he has major league command. And at least we kept opportunities. Lottery tickets. We got 3 upgrades without losing any of our better regarded lottery tickets. That’s a win.

    Gonna miss Gusto though. Plus arm. He has a major league fastball. His command of it was wavery at times, but thats the process. But Sanchez was going to cost something. Mostly I’m gonna miss Ryan because he has a fun baseball name. Gusto just sounds like a ball player.

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    • The upside of Pressly is we’re already paying him $5.5M this year and he hasn’t thrown any pitches for us. The downside is that I always felt he was great when the stakes were high and not great when he was called upon to throw some middle innings. We saw it last year – he can’t be that 9th inning guy consistently enough. He still might give you a great game when you need it though. I feel like our 40 man and 26 man rosters are a mess though with potential carnage coming when players come off the injury list. Given how sure I was that the Correa rumors were pure nonsense I guess this reunion won’t shock me. But just in case the baseball universe wants to prove me wrong all the time, let me also throw out there is absolutely no chance the Astros will trade Walter Janek for Shohei Ohtani straight up this offseason.

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    • Yeah, the cynic in me is rearing its ugly head again. We’re going to be paying an already declining Carlos 70 million over the next 3 plus years. I’m also not sentimental as it applies to building a line up. I was also very pleased by the Urias deal on Wednesday night. He would have held the fort down at third in 2025 and been a versatile guy to have in 2026. I’m sure he was much more excited about coming to Houston before the Correa rumor became a reality.

      But you’re right Steven, the line up could be a force, and we sure needed help because the AAA boys simply could not produce and we’ve got no indication that Yordan will at any point in 2025 be the guy we want him to be. So we got some needs filled.

      But, I remain really concerned about the pitching staff. Some teams went out and got closer to bullet proof on the mound. We’re fully counting on a batch of guys coming back off the shelf and being their best again. It will not happen.

      We’re a better team than we were yesterday, but without better pitching.

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  36. A few more salty notes before I go back to fandom land and hope for the best from Correa –

    The Giants made Verlander available. Where were you JC????????

    Mitch Mikulski is 26 years old with a 6.46 career ERA never having pitched past A ball. He will never throw a pitch in the major leagues. BUT he will always be the guy traded for Carlos Correa. Frame that news clipping kid. Hang it up for the company to see when you are in your 50s and trying to convince people that yes, you did indeed play professional baseball.

    OK, the sarcasm font is out of my system.

    The Astros are markedly better today than they were yesterday.

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  37. One other thing. Ryan Gusto is going to be a very reliable middle of the rotation guy one day pretty soon. He’s wasted as a mop up man.

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