MLB Trade Deadline: The ultimate 30-team trade
17. Houston Astros
Because he will be a free agent at the end of the season, Lance Lynn holds little value for the San Diego Padres. However, the 30-year-old right-hander would fit right in with the Astros starting rotation, which has long been in need of another member. Also, after missing out on Jose Quintana and (in our exercise) Sonny Gray, Lynn is one of the best options still on the board.
After missing all of the 2016 season with injury, Lynn has bounced back admirably to post a 3.30 ERA in his first 20 starts of the season. Lynn has allowed just 89 hits in 114.2 innings, which is his lowest H/9 (7.0) since he was a rookie reliever in 2011. Though his strikeout numbers have dropped, his 101 strikeouts equate to a career low 7.9 K/9, Lynn has proven himself a dependable starter capable of getting hitters out.
The Astros need someone that can do exactly that. Though Dallas Keuchel has pitched like a Cy Young candidate when he’s healthy, the lefty has made multiple trips to the DL this year. Lance McCullers, who also put up Cy Young numbers in the first half, has an 8.53 ERA in 19 innings across his last four starts.
Because Lynn is a rental, he won’t cost much in terms of prospects, so a single midlevel minor leaguer would probably suffice. The Padres, likely preferring major league ready talent, may opt for someone like 24-year-old Teoscar Hernandez, who has had a taste of the big leagues and is hitting .280/.370/.490 in Triple-A.
And, with Carlos Correa on the shelf with a thumb injury, the Astros are in the market for a short-term solution at shortstop. Houston could turn to another former NL Central rival to fill the hole defensively.