Internal additions top deadline deals
Despite getting accustomed to dramatic deals at the trade deadline, the Astros stood pat Monday, with general manager James Click placing faith in the talent on hand — both active and injured — to capture the franchise’s second World Series.
Though the club “had some traction” on various targets, Click’s first trade deadline ended at 3 p.m. Monday without a deal, leaving his club reliant on the continued contributions of rookies and the return of injured players to fortify the roster.
“We weren’t able to line up on anything, but I think that speaks to the bar of entry,” Click said. “With the level of talent we have
on the team right now, we weren’t going to make a move just to make a move. We were going to make a move if we thought it helped put us in a better position to win a World Series, but at the end of the day, we just
couldn’t line up on something that we thought was reasonable both for the current team and the betterment of the franchise overall.”
Click combed the market Monday with two comforts in mind. His team is all but assured a spot in the expanded 16-team postseason field, and its roster will have some different faces from the ones playing now.
Third baseman Alex Bregman and starting pitcher Jose Urquidy are on the injured list, along with relievers Brad Peacock, Josh James and Chris Devenski. Click intimated all five are expected to rejoin the active roster at some point in September.
“All of these guys out there that are working their way back can hopefully be additions at some point in the near future or before the end of the season,” Click said. “You don’t want to count those guys as your trade deadline additions, but at the same time, we have to make sure that anyone we added today would have fit on this
roster when we get all those reinforcements back.”
Even with their inundation of injuries, the Astros awoke Monday at 19-14. FanGraphs gave them a 99.1 percent chance to make the postseason. Their 7.6 percent chance to win the World Series is the highest of any American League club.
Houston does trail the Oakland A’s by 2½ games in the American League West. The A’s executed just one deal Monday, acquiring lefthanded starter Mike Minor from the Texas Rangers to bolster their rotation depth. Minor posted a 5.60 ERA in his first 35⅓ innings this year.
The three other AL West clubs all executed at least one deal that shipped a valuable major league player for prospects — signaling the sorry state of the division. The A’s and Astros are the only two teams with records above .500. Every other club entered Monday at least seven games below.
“I think it was commendable what the group brought to the table, and sometimes the best trades that you make are the ones you don’t actually pull the trigger on,”
Click said. “The last thing we wanted to do was do something rash just to do something.”
Logic suggested that if the Astros were going to add external help, it would be to their depleted pitching staff. Click acknowledged his conversations on Monday were “60-40” about pitching. Houston’s staff has a 4.21 ERA but is operating without two of its most prominent members.
Ace Justin Verlander and closer Roberto Osuna endured elbow injuries in July. Two people with knowledge of the situation told the Chronicle that Verlander will not return this season. KRIV-TV reported Osuna requires Tommy John surgery. The Astros have yet to officially rule out either player for a return.
Click reiterated Monday that Verlander is throwing a baseball — but not off a pitching mound. Click said the team is “hopeful” Verlander can “make his way back at some point this season.” The regular season concludes Sept. 27.
In the absence of these household names, Houston’s pitching staff has been supplemented by a slew of rookies and emerging players.
The once-erratic Framber Valdez has found himself, owning a 2.35 ERA and cementing a spot in the starting rotation. Reigning Minor League Pitcher of the Year Cristian Javier has a 3.77 mark after six starts. Urquidy’s return could bolster the rotation further.
Whether the team’s maligned bullpen can sustain its success could determine the team’s eventual fate. Houston’s relievers have a 4.30 ERA but are walking 5.37 hitters per nine innings. Only the Mariners have a worse walk rate among major league bullpens. Opponents also have a .318 batting average on balls in play against the Astros’ bullpen.
Rookies Andre Scrubb, Enoli Paredes and Blake Taylor are among manager Dusty Baker’s most trusted relievers, but the return of Peacock, James and/or Devenski might afford the skipper fewer uncertain options. Scrubb, for instance, has 13 walks in 13 innings pitched. Somehow, he has allowed just one earned run.
“The ability for some of these young kids, young guys, unproven guys to step up and get big outs and get big hits, I think it’s a testament to the team and the resiliency and their ability to grow into their roles very, very quickly,” Click said.
Still, pitching was a prominent theme Monday. Notable trades involving relievers included Red Sox southpaw Josh Osich to the Cubs, Orioles righty Miguel Castro to the Mets, and Diamondbacks closer Archie Bradley to the Reds. Resurgent Royals reliever Trevor Rosenthal went to the trade-happy San Diego Padres on Sunday, preceding their acquisition Monday of starter Mike Clevinger from the Indians. The Blue Jays nabbed two starters — Arizona’s Robbie Ray and the Dodgers’ Ross Stripling.
“I think one of the reasons there were no moves made today was watching these kids step up and grow into these high-pressure roles,” Click said. “It just raises the bar for entry, and we’re excited about the team we have, we’re excited about the guys coming back, and we think we’re in prime position to compete for a World Series going forward.”