3 glaring roster holes keeping the Houston Astros from WS contention

2. Bench bat(s)

With Jose Altuve sidelined with a strained hamstring, the Astros have been relying on a mixture of Niko Goodrum and Aledmys Diaz to fill in at second. Both players are also capable of playing first base, shortstop, third, and the outfield corners.

Neither Goodrum or Diaz profile as very good defenders, which can be overlooked if they are able to produce on offense. That has been the issue so far for both players, unfortunately.

Goodrum, 30, is a switch-hitter who has registered just two hits in 19 plate appearances so far. He has yet to draw a single walk and is currently sporting a slash-line of .105/.105/.158 with a -22 OPS+ in his first seven games of the season.

Diaz, 31, swings it from the right side and possesses quite a bit of thump in his bat. Entering his fourth season as Astro, Diaz has yet to produce much at all on offense and is stumbling out of the gate so far in 2022. In 34 plate appearances, he has just five hits with a slash line of .161/.235/.290.

One interesting name that the Astros could bring aboard is versatile San Francisco Giant Thairo Estrada. Estrada is out of minor league options and has been off to a hot start so far this season. He leads the National League in runs scored (12) and has two home runs, nine RBI, and three stolen bases in his first 15 contests.

Should Houston look to swing a trade for Estrada, he should not command too large of a return which should only further the Astros’ interest in him.