MLB Trade Deadline 2017: 5 best spots for Chris Archer

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Houston Astros

AL, West

Let’s be real. The Houston Astros have to be the favorite to come out of the American League this season. They are the only team in the Junior Circuit that has over 50 wins through the 4th of July. Houston has 57 of them, has an eight-game lead over the Boston Red Sox for the best record in the American League, and boasts a ridiculous 16-game over the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the AL West.

In short, the Astros are in cruise control mode in the American League. If they play .500 ball the rest of the way, this is a 96-win team that almost certainly wins the AL West and might have the best record in the American League anyway.

That being said, Houston should do everything in its power to improve its juggernaut status from now until July 31. The Astros may already have two All-Star pitchers in Dallas Keuchel and Lance McCullers, but a contender can never have too many strong starting pitchers.

Add in that Houston will be without David Paulino the rest of the way due to his PED suspension and the Astros could be looking for a third high-end starter to solidify their playoff rotation. A trio of Keuchel, McCullers and Archer would be terrifying for any team going up against the Astros in the American League. The question is if Houston has the package in place to entice Tampa Bay to pull the trigger on Archer. Most of Houston’s promising players are already at the big league level.