Are Houston Astros Now Contenders After Trade Deadline Deals?

The Houston Astros are now contenders to win the World Series after their MLB trade deadline deals.

A big winner of the MLB trade deadline was the Houston Astros. They pulled off one of the biggest blockbusters this season, getting back Justin Verlander to add much needed starting pitching help to the roster.

As the Astros get ready for the final stretch of the season, they have their sights set on defending their World Series title.

MLB.com put out their list of biggest questions for each ball club following the deadline and they ask if Houston's moves were good enough to propel them to a title repeat.

Astros beat writer Brian McTaggart writes, "The Astros addressed their two biggest needs at the Trade Deadline by acquiring a back-end reliever in Kendall Graveman from the White Sox, and a starter in Justin Verlander from the Mets."

There's no doubt this improves the club. The starting rotation is relying on many inexperienced arms and the bullpen hasn't been as dominant as last season. Adding these two players should boost a title winning pitching staff.

"Now the question becomes whether the additions of Verlander and Graveman strengthened their pitching enough to get them back to the World Series and make a run at a repeat championship," McTaggart asks.

Houston will almost certainly be in the playoffs, whether it's by winning their division or though the Wild Card. Once they get into the postseason, their experience and pedigree is enough to make them one of, if not the favorite to win the American League.

In what seems like a wide open AL, it's hard not to think the Astros can get back to the World Series and win it again.