3 Astros trades that helped get them to World Series

The Houston Astros reached the 2021 World Series thanks in part to making these three trades.

The Houston Astros have done it once again. For the third time in five years, they AL West team has clinched a spot in the World Series. Things did look shaky during the ALCS against the Boston Red Sox, but Houston took advantage of their opposition’s bats going quiet in Game 4-6 to clinch the pennant.

Houston reached this point thanks in part to the players they have drafted and those they have signed as free agents. But what about the trades? If you are to give the Astros credit for reaching the 2021 Fall Classic, you have to look at these transactions made by the front office over the years.

3. Kendall Graveman, RP

First, let’s start off with a trade that happened in this past deadline. When looking back at the first half of this season, the Astros had issues with their bullpen. Houston obviously had plans to contend for the World Series, and their relief depth was holding them back.

So, at the trade deadline, the Astros negotiated a trade with the rival Seattle Mariners to acquire reliever Kendall Graveman, alongside Rafael Montero. In exchange, Houston sent Abraham Toro and Joe Smith to Seattle.

Graveman turned out to be just the piece that Houston’s bullpen was missing. Yes, he did carry a 3.13 ERA through 23 appearances with the Astros in the regular season, but he has made up for it in the postseason.

In six playoff games, Graveman carries a 1.29 ERA after surrendering just one earned run on five hits in seven innings of work. That, and he struck out six batters in those appearances.

Having quality bullpen arms will always help a team make a deep run in the postseason. The acquisition of Graveman did just that for the Astros.