Latest news with #outfielders
Yahoo
27-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
1 Fatal flaw Houston Astros must address before 2025 MLB trade deadline
The post 1 Fatal flaw Houston Astros must address before 2025 MLB trade deadline appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Houston Astros entered the All-Star break eight games over .500. Jeremy Pena, Hunter Brown, and Josh Hader went to the All-Star Game, representing one of the better teams in Major League Baseball. However, Joe Espada's team still has holes it needs to address before the MLB Trade Deadline. Jose Altuve is still in left field, and will be there even when Jacob Melton returns. Luckily for the Astros, plenty of outfielders are available on this year's trade market. Luis Robert Jr. is one of many names thrown around in rumors for months. Whether or not the Chicago White Sox actually decide to move on from him is one of the thing that the deadline hinges on. If he is made available, teams will line up with offers for the former All-Star, with the Astros at the front. Starting pitching is another area of the team that the Astros could decide to address later this month. However, their lack of outfield depth is their chief concern. When Melton and Jake Meyers are healthy, they form an effective trio with Cam Smith. However, their collective youth could be detrimental when the lights get bright in the American League playoffs this fall. Houston's season has been a surprising one. While experts thought the Seattle Mariners and Texas Rangers would finally surpass them in the pecking order, the Astros have remained at the top. MLB's modern dynasty hopes to add one last World Series championship before Altuve calls it a career. The next two weeks are instrumental in getting closer to that goal. Astros general manager Dana Brown and Espada have their work cut out for them. The right move is ready to be made, but their decision at the deadline could drastically change the team's ceiling at the end of this season. Jose Altuve is in desperate need of a reprieve from the outfield Despite playing at a new position this season, Altuve has continued to shine at the plate. The franchise legend set Astros records before the All-Star break and is well-positioned for a strong second half. However, his defense has been handicapped for most of the season. He has done as well as he can do in left field. However, it is clear that he needs to be back at second base now. Espada has navigated injuries to key players all season. Altuve's willingness to go into the outfield gave him some flexibility. However, the way things are is not good enough for the Astros to win the title. The former champion has a DWAR of -1.5, the worst mark on the team. He is also tied for the team lead in errors at five with Christian Walker and Isaac Paredes. As a whole, the Houston outfield falls short of expectations. However, a lot of their struggles are thanks to injuries to Melton and Meyers. Unfortunately for Espada, he does not have time to see if all of his starters can gel together when they are completely healthy. In order to give themselves the best chance at success, the Astros need to make an upgrade in their outfield. Who could the Astros bring in to rescue their outfielders? Robert Jr. is no longer the player he used to be. Despite that, the veteran is in the middle of his prime and capable of playing like an All-Star. The White Sox value his experience on a roster overflowing with youth. However, he is a prime candidate to be sent elsewhere at the deadline. Teams desperate for his two-way skills in the field and at the plate could offer huge packages for him. The White Sox are nowhere near playoff contention of any kind in the AL. Because of that, the veterans on their roster could become hot commodities on the trade market. Multiple teams are interested in Robert Jr., even if Chicago would rather hold on to him. The two club options on his contract are an attractive commodity for almost every team in the league. Reports have leaned towards a potential Robert Jr. trade before the July 31 deadline. Outfielders are needed one almost every contending team, whether they have three able bodies or not. In certain situations, Robert Jr. would be a massive upgrade in all three outfield spots. Securing him could just be a matter of presenting the most future assets to the White Sox in a trade package. Regardless of who they pursue at the deadline, expectations remain high in Houston. The Astros have built a championship culture over the last decade and have a good shot at stealing another title. A reset is coming, but Espada, Altuve, and the team's veterans want to put together one last ride before calling it quits. Robert Jr. could be the perfect player to help them do that. Related: Astros manager Joe Espada gets real on team's standing despite mounting injuries Related: Astros' Joe Espada to 'focus on the positives' despite pre-All-Star break skid
Yahoo
20-07-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
WIlyer Abreu and Ceddane Rafaela Haven't Been Much Involved in Red Sox Trade Talks
WIlyer Abreu and Ceddane Rafaela Haven't Been Much Involved in Red Sox Trade Talks originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Boston Red Sox have a great problem: they have too many outfielders. Top prospect Roman Anthony has a spot secured, while Ceddane Rafaela, Wilyer Abreu, Jarren Duran, Rob Refsnyder, and Masataka Yoshida all can start too. With the Red Sox having such a deep outfield, it's no surprise that teams are inquiring about the availability of their outfielders. But, while Duran has drawn significant trade interest, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic gave an update on the potential of trading either Rafaela or Abreu. "While Anthony is considered all but untouchable," McCaffrey writes, "Abreu and Rafaela could be trade pieces, but there hasn't been as much talk about either of them." Anthony's status isn't a surprise. But, with neither Abreu nor Rafaela receiving interest from teams like Duran has, it's an interesting update. Despite both Abreu and Rafaela being appealing trade targets, neither can compare to the interest in Duran. Teams aren't making as strong of an effort to land either over Duran, as the baseball world is focused on Duran in a trade, not any of the other Red Sox outfielders. Rafaela has been on fire recently. During the Red Sox's ten-game winning streak, the center fielder has a .421 batting average with a 1.410 OPS. In that span, he has 16 hits, ten runs scored, six doubles, five home runs, and 15 RBIs. His hot streak has dramatically improved his numbers, and he's nearly surpassed his previous career highs in doubles and home runs. In 92 games, he has 4.0 WAR, compared to his 2024, where in 152 games he had 2.8 WAR. Abreu, on the other hand, while not nearly as hot as Rafaela, has been solid this season. In 83 games, he has 69 hits, 41 runs scored, 11 doubles, 18 home runs, 52 RBIs, and a .822 OPS. It's the second-best mark among outfielders on the team behind Refsnyder's .844 OPS in 106 at-bats. Boston has some of the best outfielders in baseball, and if they play up to their potential, they could be the best outfield in the game. But, with the possibility of one of those outfielders on the move, it seems likely it's Duran and not one of Rafaela or Abreu. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 17, 2025, where it first appeared.
