Houston... we have a... trade partner?
Posted: Wed May 13, 2026 3:42 am
1) Christian Walker 1B/DH -
The M's are DHing Mitch fkn Garver right against lefties right now. So ya, Walker would fill a pretty big void in this lineup... a power hitting 1B/DH combo from the right side. He's got reverse splits right now but has still been very solid against both dexterities. The veteran has 9 homers through 42 games with an .864 OPS. He's owned $20M next season so the Astros would have to eat a substantial sum of money to get a move done, but a package for him should be pretty insignificant making this a compelling option.
2) Isaac Parades 3B -
Parades isn't the bat he was in 2023 when he hung a 130 OPS+... but he's good for about 2.5 WAR, 20 bombs, and a 110 OPS + for not a lot of $$. He's hitting for solid avg and OBP but the SLG is down... discouraging considering he was expected to hit a lot of homers into the Crawford boxes. That said, the 27 YO has a club option of $13.5M next year before he hits free agency, making him a cheap rental that won't cost much in trade return for a team that needs a right handed infielder.
3) Josh Hader RP -
Hader is injured, again, like most of the Astros... but he started his rehab back today. He's is owed $19M in each of '27 and '28 making him a pretty expensive option, but if the Astros don't figure on contending... you very well could see him moved. The M's could use an extra high leverage arm in the back of their pen given injuries and Hader being a lefty certainly helps shift the dynamic up a bit. The Astros would again have to eat some cash, but who knows... if he's solid in his return he could be a hot commodity at the trade deadline.
4) Bryan Abreu RP -
Abreu has experienced a massive dip in velocity and has really, really struggled after being one of the better setup men in baseball over the last number of years. He's lost 2.5 MPH off his FB and claims he's healthy... so who really knows what's happened. All said, he is still an elite strikeout artist... striking out over 30% of batters he's faced... putting him in the 91st %. He's a free agent after the season and if he comes around a bit he'd also be a valuable bullpen arm that would cost very little $$ wise and package wise.
5) Yordan Alvarez DH -
I don't think this is a realistic trade option given Cal's need to DH from time to time and Alvarez's inability to play the field. I also don't see him going on the market. But if the M's wanted to make a splash... Alvarez would be pretty sick. The Astros could be compelled to trade him if they want to spark a full rebuild - they have no farm and aren't going anywhere. And the M's would definitely have some pieces to help in that effort. He's a top 5 hitter in baseball. He's owed $26ish million the next 2 years which is pretty good considering his age and production. It's a very attractive contract which means tons of teams would be involved.
The M's are DHing Mitch fkn Garver right against lefties right now. So ya, Walker would fill a pretty big void in this lineup... a power hitting 1B/DH combo from the right side. He's got reverse splits right now but has still been very solid against both dexterities. The veteran has 9 homers through 42 games with an .864 OPS. He's owned $20M next season so the Astros would have to eat a substantial sum of money to get a move done, but a package for him should be pretty insignificant making this a compelling option.
2) Isaac Parades 3B -
Parades isn't the bat he was in 2023 when he hung a 130 OPS+... but he's good for about 2.5 WAR, 20 bombs, and a 110 OPS + for not a lot of $$. He's hitting for solid avg and OBP but the SLG is down... discouraging considering he was expected to hit a lot of homers into the Crawford boxes. That said, the 27 YO has a club option of $13.5M next year before he hits free agency, making him a cheap rental that won't cost much in trade return for a team that needs a right handed infielder.
3) Josh Hader RP -
Hader is injured, again, like most of the Astros... but he started his rehab back today. He's is owed $19M in each of '27 and '28 making him a pretty expensive option, but if the Astros don't figure on contending... you very well could see him moved. The M's could use an extra high leverage arm in the back of their pen given injuries and Hader being a lefty certainly helps shift the dynamic up a bit. The Astros would again have to eat some cash, but who knows... if he's solid in his return he could be a hot commodity at the trade deadline.
4) Bryan Abreu RP -
Abreu has experienced a massive dip in velocity and has really, really struggled after being one of the better setup men in baseball over the last number of years. He's lost 2.5 MPH off his FB and claims he's healthy... so who really knows what's happened. All said, he is still an elite strikeout artist... striking out over 30% of batters he's faced... putting him in the 91st %. He's a free agent after the season and if he comes around a bit he'd also be a valuable bullpen arm that would cost very little $$ wise and package wise.
5) Yordan Alvarez DH -
I don't think this is a realistic trade option given Cal's need to DH from time to time and Alvarez's inability to play the field. I also don't see him going on the market. But if the M's wanted to make a splash... Alvarez would be pretty sick. The Astros could be compelled to trade him if they want to spark a full rebuild - they have no farm and aren't going anywhere. And the M's would definitely have some pieces to help in that effort. He's a top 5 hitter in baseball. He's owed $26ish million the next 2 years which is pretty good considering his age and production. It's a very attractive contract which means tons of teams would be involved.
