The Trade Market for Atlanta Braves starter Jaime Garcia

Houston Astros

POSITION:  1ST PLACE

ISSUES: Multiple injuries to starters

Colin McHugh – transferred to the 60-day DL last week. Dallas Keuchel (neck) will be coming off the DL shortly. Lance McCullers – just placed on the DL (back).  Charlie Morton – shut down with Lat strain).

WHAT THEY WILL LOOK FOR

Anything they can get.  Oakland might be reticent to offer Sonny Gray and the Astros themselves might not be looking for a long-term solution, for they are thinking “win now.”  So the rental pitchers should be in play for them, even as the media continue to suggest Gray.

Countering that, though, is the standings.  They are still destroying the league and with an 15 (+/-) game lead (and 9 games on the entire American League), they can actually afford to be patient and see how the health of their pitchers plays out.

UPDATE:

Per Chris Cotillo (et al), talks are ‘heating up’ between Astros and A’s about Sonny Gray.  I’m admittedly surprised the A’s would do this to themselves, but… maybe.  If this happens, then the Astros would be ‘out’ for Garcia.

WHAT THEY MIGHT OFFER

A whole lot of Braves’ fans would be happy to get OF Derek Fisher, their #4 and #70 overall, who is essentially major-league ready with no place to play.  Sure, OF Kyle Tucker (#2) is good, but the Astros would balk there.

Their farm has mixed reviews:  #12 according to Keith Law, #3 by BaseballAmerica, but the top few guys have value.

CHANCES OF A DEAL WITH ATLANTA

Excepting Fisher, I’m not liking the matchup here.  If he comes into play, the Braves might jump at it, but an additional outfielder is probably not the priority here – unless he were to be flipped for something bigger down the road.