Fansided

3 trades Astros can make at deadline to overcome major injuries

By Joseph Birdsall

DENVER, CO - AUGUST 20: Relief pitcher Josh James #39 of the Houston Astros kneels on the ground injured before being helped off the field during the sixth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on August 20, 2020 in Denver, Colorado. The Astros defeated the Rockies for the fourth straight game, winning 10-8. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - AUGUST 20: Relief pitcher Josh James #39 of the Houston Astros kneels on the ground injured before being helped off the field during the sixth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on August 20, 2020 in Denver, Colorado. The Astros defeated the Rockies for the fourth straight game, winning 10-8. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images) /
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Starling Marte
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 23: Starling Marte #2 of the Arizona Diamondbacks reacts after striking out against the San Francisco Giants in the top of the fourth inning at Oracle Park on August 23, 2020 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

OF. Arizona Diamondbacks. Starling Marte. 2. 8. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis. player

The Arizona Diamondbacks currently sit in last place in the NL West, and offseason acquisition Starling Marte is a free agent after 2021. Batting well over .300 this season, he should be in high demand if Arizona is willing to trade him.

If he’s available, the Astros should be the first to pick up the phone. Like Martinez, Marte can play at DH if needed, but he would preferably remain in the outfield. However, unlike the Boston slugger, he’d come at a much cheaper price point, albeit with an extra year on his deal.

While the former Pirate is not a power hitter in the same class as Martinez, he’s excelled at making contact this year and could be a nice piece on a contending team like Houston. However, the Astros may be forced to give up more for him considering the length of his deal.

Every team could use a consistent contact hitter like Marte, and adding him to the lineup could help mask some of the struggles that Bregman and Jose Altuve have endured throughout the 2020 season.

Considering that the Pirates traded Marte to Arizona for prospects in the offseason, it seems likely that Houston could pull off a similar deal if the Diamondbacks are winning. However, the next trade on this list is more likely.

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