Astros Star’s Name Being Thrown Around in Blockbuster Trade Idea

The Houston Astros have decisions to make on a couple of infielders and this scenario has them trading one to an AL rival.

The Houston Astros have two stars that have expiring contracts after the 2024 season. The Astros have made it clear they want to extend both players.

But there is one small wrinkle. There is plenty of reporting to suggest that one takes priority over the other. The Astros want to make Jose Altuve an Astro for life.

Alex Bregman? The Astros want to extend their third baseman, but it’s possible they may not have the room to do both.

So then what’s the play? If you can’t do both, do you trade Bregman?

That’s the scenario that MLB.com recently presented, as it developed six blockbuster trades that could shake up the offseason.

Well, the Astros and Bregman made the list, and the trade MLB.com put together is a doozy.

How about four teams, eight players and Bregman ends up in … pinstripes?

Yes, this proposal ultimately has Bregman landing with the New York Yankees, and the site believes the Yankees will let bygones be bygones, so to speak:

Yankees fans will get over that 2017 stuff when Bregman is banging out dingers and doubles, improving the club’s on-base ability and making the Bronx Bombers way less Aaron Judge-dependent.

Bregman had another quality season with the Astros, slashing 262/.363/.441/.804 with 28 doubles, four triples, 25 home runs and 98 RBI. His right-handed swing would be a great fit at Yankee Stadium and the Yankees are trying to upgrade that position, as it was a mess last season.

He isn’t the only Astros player included in the deal. The Yankees also get outfield help Jake Meyers and a pitcher with MLB experience in Jared Shuster, who is currently with the Chicago White Sox.

Wait, the White Sox? Yes, remember — it’s a four-team deal, as MLB.com writes:

But getting back the proper Major League-ready talent the Astros would require to give up one of their franchise faces and remain a contender is challenging, which is why you’d likely need to rope in a third -- or, in this case, a fourth! -- team.

So, what do the Astros ultimately end up with?

Baltimore infielder Jordan Westburg, who slashed .260/.311/.404/.715 with three home runs and 23 RBI as a rookie in 2023. He can play third base and he comes with roughly five years of team control.

The rest of the deal looks like this — The Baltimore Orioles would get White Sox starter Dylan Cease and the White Sox would load up on a top prospect from each team — outfielder Jasson Domínguez (Yankees’ No. 2 prospect), catcher/first baseman Samuel Basallo (Orioles’ No. 5 prospect) and right-handed pitcher Spencer Arrighetti (Astros’ No. 3 prospect).

As MLB.com noted, it’s a blockbuster. But the bigger question is should the Astros do it if they only get one player in return?