Houston Astros: 3 trade targets to avoid at the deadline

Astros trade target to avoid at the deadline: Daniel Bard

Every team looking to buy will be in the market for a little relief help this summer. The closer situation for Houston is a little up in the air with Ryan Pressly not looking too great and Rafael Montero receiving some saves recently.

For the most part, the Astros are getting more from their relievers than one might expect. Ryne Stanek has been amazing with Bryan Abreu and Seth Martinez providing the team with superb innings behind the more experienced veterans on the roster.

The Astros could be in the market to add a closer. It shouldn’t be Daniel Bard of the Colorado Rockies. As much as we might be able to justify a trade for him, he fits better as a rental for a team less serious about winning.

The way Bard has managed to rehab and make his way back to the major leagues is outstanding. He didn’t pitch a single MLB inning after 2013 until his return to the Rockies in 2020. For him to even be on the field is an accomplishment. To become a reliable MLB closer completes his wonderful story.

Instead of Bard, the Astros should look to trade for someone like David Bednar of the Pittsburgh Pirates or someone else with age on his side. More importantly than a closer, the Astros should aim to land a lefty for the bullpen. They currently don’t have any there nor is anyone truly dominant coming back from an injury. With this in mind, their resources are probably best used to acquire Andrew Chafin or even Gregory Soto—far less likely—from the Detroit Tigers.