As we close in on the August 3rd 5pm CT MLB trade deadline, this will be the place for trade news and rumor updates. It will be updated as more news and info comes out.
August 1: RUMORS
Now, I am including this rumor not because I believe it to be 100% true (the person reporting
it has dubious credentials to say the least) but because of this report from Ken Rosenthal (who has impeccable credentials):
It would appear that Larnach was involved in discussions, and there may have been a deal that involved him that came undone, but it did not necessarily involve the Houston Astros. However the initial post get around the league very quickly, and led to the conversation between Larnach and his manager Derek Shelton.
At this point, I would only take this to mean the Twins would listen on Larnach and move him in what they considered the right deal, and that Minnesota is still looking to move one of it’s LH hitting OFs for pitching.
Considering none of the usual Astros beat writers (Tags, Rome, Kawahara) had anything on this and the top news breakers nationally (Nightengale, Passan, Rosenthal etc) also had no reports on this, it’s fair to call this a debunked rumor as far as Crane nixing a deal of Abreu for Larnach.
It should also be noted that since May 1, Abreu has a 2-1 record, a 2.20 ERA, a 1.08 WHIP, and 32 strikeouts over 28.2 innings pitched. He also seemingly has regained his role as primary setup man.
July 31: RUMORS
In this piece by Nighetngale, here is what he mentioned regarding the Astros:
The Boston Red Sox are giving up on the idea that Trevor Story will help them when he returns from the IL and are aggressively trying to acquire a shortstop. They are asking about everyone from Zach Neto of the Angels to C.J. Abrams of the Washington Nationals to Otto Lopez of the Miami Marlins to Jeremy Pena of the Houston Astros.
The Houston Astros and other teams keep asking about San Francisco Giants ace Logan Webb. And they keep being told he’s not going anywhere. The Giants plan to keep outfielder Jung Hoo Lee and trade Heliot Ramos. They also are telling teams they are willing to eat part of starter Robbie Ray’s $25 million contract in a trade.
The Arizona Diamondbacks would love to find a first baseman, but have let teams know their biggest priority is relief pitching after removing Paul Sewald from the closer’s role this week. (this relates to speculation the Astros could trade/need to trade Christian Walker to free up money for other deals – PC)
The Blue Jays are willing to trade George Springer, who’s in the final year of his contract, but there’s limited demand for right-handed hitting DHs. (relates to Astros desperate need for OF help & affinity for former players. Springer has played only 7 innings of OF this season. Despite overall poor numbers this season, since returning from the IL July 8, Springer hit .290 for the month of July with 4 HR, 13 RBI, a .362 OBP and .878 OPS. Those are numbers the Astros lineup could certainly use – PC)
