After the All-Star break, the Astros seemed like they were primed to compete in the dismal AL West. They had a trade, some roster maneuvers, and some quality returning pitchers on the way. Then, the Orioles came to town and that whole back-from-the-all-star-break vibe went splat.
The three-game series loss moves them now four full games back of the division and 4.5 games back of the Wild Card. So, it does cause one to wonder: are the Astros claims of buying at the deadline going to change?
The reality is this team has pieces that could land them real prospects if they chose to make them. But, they also have a player in Yordan Alvarez on an MVP pace. It’s a very tough spot for GM Dana Brown to be in. If only we could be inside the brain of Jim Crane right now. Here are our thoughts.
Hunter Brown Isn’t Right
Since returning from the IL, Brown’s walks are up, strikeouts down and his overall presence on the mound is less than stellar. The team ace has been lackluster at best. All year, there has been speculation on how the Astros have handled the new smaller strike zone. Could Brown be a serious casualty of a strike zone that doesn’t feature the high fastball strike like it used to? Whatever the case, without their ace, this team is in big trouble.
Buying Probably Won’t Help
It’s not like the Astros are going to go after Tarik Skubal or break the bank for a lefty outfielder. This is a team that, on the high end, might try for someone like Jarren Duran, but that might cost them the kind of prospects they may not want to part with (are you ready to move Brice Matthews and a top pitching prospect?). And even if they land a bat, with the way they have been playing, that is no magic pill to make them better. More importantly, what is “better” when it comes to the Astros. If that just means winning at terrible division or sneaking into the Wild Card only to lose in the first round, is it worth it?
Selling Won’t Help Either
At least not right away given how down this farm system actually is. No one wanted to really confront this reality before these struggles, but the reality is that this team is not good on the minor league level and it will take some very, very good trades and some outstanding drafts to turn it around. And there is no guarantee those moves will lead to another golden age like the one started after Crane acquired the team and handed over the reins to Jeff Lunhow. It’s fun to look at the potential of what could be, but that’s only if all the pieces fall into place just perfectly.
The AL West is Still Awful
Hangning in the balance is a division that makes it hard to give up hope. The Astros are seven games under .500 and just four back in the division race. Given we are in mid-July, that’s crazy. It’s understandable that the team believes a few tweaks will get them back into contention or at least keep them from collapsing like their fellow AL West competitors. Throwing in the towel would be so much easier if they were in a division that wasn’t an absolute dumpster fire.
