The Astros will need another starter at the deadline.
The Houston Astros are expected to be aggressive during the trade deadline, and it makes sense given where the team stands. While the Astros have continued to win ball games at a very high level, it's also fair to wonder how much longer this team has to compete for a World Series.
Pitching will be a focus for the Astros once again, as not only will they be losing arms at the end of the campaign, but they've dealt with some injuries on that front.
When recently examining potential options for the Astros to pursue, Sports Illustrated proposed the idea of them landing Taj Bradley, a right-hander for the Tampa Bay Rays who is just 24 years old.
“The Rays operate in a near-constant state of both buying and selling, and even in a season in which they're competitive, it makes sense that they would be willing to move a player like Bradley if they feel they're getting fair value...
“Both Houston and the Rays have proven to be phenomenal landing spots for pitchers to maximize their skill sets, so while other teams may fear the fact that Bradley hasn't quite figured it out in Tampa, the Astros may feel like they could unlock another level,” they wrote.
Bradley hasn't exactly been great during his career, but he's been decent.
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He made his debut in 2023 and posted a 5.59 ERA that season.
His strikeout numbers have continued to impress, with 129 in 104.2 innings in his rookie season and 154 in 138.0 innings last year, but his other numbers are a bit questionable.
During the 2025 campaign, he has a 4.60 ERA and has struck out just 89 hitters in 103.2 innings.
Category: Baseball
