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MLB Trade Deadline: 1 trade every team shouldn’t make

By Nathaniel Reeves

Apr 4, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder A.J. Pollock prior to the game against the Colorado Rockies during Opening Day at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 4, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder A.J. Pollock prior to the game against the Colorado Rockies during Opening Day at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 21, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Houston Astros first baseman Tyler White (13) hits during the game against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 21, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Houston Astros first baseman Tyler White (13) hits during the game against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports /

Houston Astros: Dealing A.J. Reed or Tyler White

Houston’s surprising 86-win season and playoff appearance in 2015 suddenly turned the team from rebuilding to contenders, perhaps even AL favorites. The Astros took advantage of the situation by getting Scott Kazmir and Carlos Gomez at last year’s deadline, in addition to Ken Giles in the offseason.

Despite the moves, the Astros are off to a terrible 16-24 start, severely damaging their playoff chances. Gomez and Giles have been awful, and the rotation is struggling from top to bottom.

The Astros still have a terrific farm system, and might dip into it again to improve the rotation if there’s still a faint hope of contention by the trade deadline. However, Houston needs to be careful not to overpay for a rental in a year where the playoffs may not be a realistic possibility anyway.

In particular, the Astros need White and Reed on the roster for this year and beyond. If Houston is going to turn things around, it needs both to produce anyway, and trading either prospect for even a top-line starter won’t help the team enough.

Reed has shown impressive hitting ability throughout his career in the minors and is widely regarded as the team’s top prospect. Unfortunately, Reed was sent to the DL last week with a hamstring strain, but it isn’t expected to be severe and the Astros need him to take over at first base as soon as possible.

While White, currently playing first base, has slowed down since his red-hot start, he’s still hitting at a 125 wRC+ pace per FanGraphs. Once reed is ready, the Astros will need White to head over to third base, as Luis Valbuena has been replacement-level so far.

Houston may have mistimed its contention window, but it shouldn’t overcompensate for that mistake at the trade deadline.

Next: Kansas City Royals: Trading for Brandon Phillips

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