Inside the Astros

Houston Astros Linked to Former MVP Outfielder at Trade Deadline

The Houston Astros were recently linked as a potential trade partner for a former National League MVP award winner at the MLB trade deadline.

Kade Kistner

David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
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The Houston Astros will be active at the MLB trade deadline this season. That much is clear. 

Astros general manager spoke at length about the types of players they would pursue, specifically a versatile left-handed bat. 

As such, those comments got a lot of outlets thinking and MLB Trade Rumors listed Chicago Cubs slugger and 2019 National League MVP Cody Bellinger as a potential trade fit for Houston. 

Bellinger is currently on the injured list, but he will likely make a return before the All-Star break. So there will be plenty of time for him to get back into the swing of it ahead of the trade deadline.

This season alone, Bellinger has bounced back in a massive way slashing .271/.337/.493. Additionally, he plays both the outfield and first base at a Gold Glove level.

With left fielder Yordan Alvarez hurt for an indeterminate amount of time and the downright abysmal performance from Jose Abreu, Bellinger could help upgrade the lineup both at the plate and in the field. 

As for cost of acquisition, Bellinger is on a one-year. $17.5 million deal and therefore will be a free agent at the end of the season. He figures to have plenty of suitors after his rebound season so he will be viewed only as a rental.

That should help keep the price down in terms of prospect returns. Still, the Cubs are nine games under .500 and figure to be sellers, which means Bellinger could be the hottest bat on the market. 

It won't come cheap but it always won't be a price the Astros can't afford.

After an offseason of questionable move from owner Jim Crane, this will be the perfect opportunity for GM Brown to leave his mark on the team.

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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.

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