Inside the Astros

Could This Potential Houston Astros Trade Actually Work?

Despite the Houston Astros starting to get back on track, they could still wind up as sellers at the deadline. Could this potential trade work?

Kade Kistner

May 14, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander (35) prior to
May 14, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Justin Verlander (35) prior to / Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports
In this story:

The Houston Astros have now won three series in a row, including a four-game sweep of the Oakland Athletics. Of those three series, that includes the Milwaukee Brewers and a promising Detroit Tigers club.

Still the Astros sit at a 21-26 record, four games out of the American League West lead but their upcoming schedule through mid-June is much easier than the guantlet they faced to begin the 2024 MLB season.

Still, it's a mountain to climb to get back on track and their are plenty of holes on the current roster and underperforming players. Whether or not their recent success is sustainable remains to be seen.

Regardless of how things shake out, one player could be moved at the deadline. Starting pitcher Justin Verlander is 41 years old, holds a 3.97 ERA this season and is in what could be the final year of his contract with Houston.

With multiple of Houston's starters slated to return to the rotation from injury, Verlander could be used as a valuable trade chip to help replenish a depleted farm system, especially important as the Astros head into an era of unknown following this season.

One trade idea proposed by FanSided that would send Verlander back to his roots with Detroit Tigers makes some sense.

The proposal sends Verlander to the Tigers in exchange for pitching prospect Ty Madden, who is currently being blocked at the Major League level. At Double-A this year, Madden holds a sparkling 2.55 ERA in 17.2 innings. However, he was promoted to Triple-A where he has struggled in 13.2 innings and holds a 9.22 ERA with a 1.98 WHIP.

At 24 years old, Madden has some development time left, but the overall return for Verlander, who does have an option for the 2025 season, seems light.

Still, the proposal has a solid foundation if Houston does look to move their aging starter before it's too late.

Published
Kade Kistner
KADE KISTNER

Kade Kistner is the publisher and beat writer for Sports Illustrated's Inside the Phillies. An alumnus of Tulane University, Kade graduated in 2017 with a degree in Latin American Studies and a minor in Spanish. Upon graduation, Kade commissioned into the United States Navy and attended Naval Flight School in Pensacola, Fl. He served as a Naval Aviator and was stationed in Jacksonville, Fl. During his time in school and the Navy, Kade began covering the MLB and NFL with USA Today, SB Nation, and Sports Illustrated. Kade covered the New Orleans Saints, Texas Rangers, and numerous other teams within the Sports Illustrated network before launching Inside the Phillies, Inside the Astros, and Inside the Cubs. You can follow him on Twitter at @KadeKistner, or if you have any questions or comments he can be reached via email at kwkistner@gmail.com.

Home/News