Astros fans, it hasn’t been the start anyone envisioned. The struggles have been real, and the pitching staff, in particular, has left plenty to be desired. But even in the middle of a frustrating opening stretch, one undeniable bright spot has emerged: the resurgence of a healthy Yordan Alvarez.
Alvarez hasn’t just been good, he’s been dominant. Taking home both American League Player of the Week and Player of the Month honors is a reminder of exactly who he is when he’s right. Few hitters in baseball
possess his rare combination of power and average. When he steps to the plate, he’s not just a threat, he’s the kind of presence that changes games and forces opposing teams to adjust everything they do.
That’s what makes the recent local chatter about potentially trading him, or needing to, is so baffling.
Let’s be clear: Alvarez isn’t just another piece of this roster, he’s the cornerstone. While the Astros’ offense has been the lone consistent positive this season, Alvarez is the engine driving it all. His production sets the tone, and his presence lengthens the lineup in a way that few players in the league can replicate.
Then there’s the contract. In a league where elite hitters are commanding massive deals, Alvarez remains on a team-friendly contract that gives the Astros flexibility to build around him. If owner Jim Crane truly intends to keep the championship window open, as he’s consistently stated, players like Alvarez are exactly the ones you build with, not the ones you move.
The idea of trading him only makes sense in a full teardown scenario. And even then, it’s hard to justify. This isn’t a player nearing decline or carrying a burdensome contract. This is a prime, elite bat who delivers at an MVP-caliber level when healthy. Compare that to contracts like those of Mike Trout, Aaron Judge, or Juan Soto, deals that at least force a front office to consider long-term financial implications, and Alvarez still stands out as an asset you hold onto.
Jim Crane is a businessman, and he understands return on investment. There may not be a better ROI in baseball right now than what Alvarez provides: elite production at a manageable cost. That combination is invaluable for a team looking to remain competitive while continuing to retool.
Could the Astros make moves if this season continues to go sideways? Absolutely. A sell-off of veteran pieces isn’t out of the question if things don’t turn around. But even in that scenario, Alvarez should be viewed in the same untouchable tier as Jose Altuve, a player whose value to the organization goes beyond what any trade package could realistically return and he’s younger too.
At the end of the day, the question isn’t whether the Astros could trade Yordan Alvarez. It’s whether they should. And based on everything we’ve seen, his performance, his contract, and his role in this team’s present and future, the answer feels pretty clear.
You don’t trade players like Yordan Alvarez. You build around them.
