Houston Astros Linked to Athletics Infielder at Trade Deadline

The Houston Astros are in need of offense. José Abreu is in a slump. Yordan Álvarez is on the injured list. And the Astros have lost seven of their last 10 games.

The trade deadline could be filled with opportunities to add pieces that could help them catch the AL West-leading Texas Rangers, who are 6.5 games ahead of the Astros (39-34) going into Tuesday’s game with the New York Mets.

Per MLB.com, the Astros could look within the AL West to find a bat that could help them at the trade deadline.

That bat belongs to Oakland Athletics infielder Jace Peterson.

Flashy? No. Even the MLB article confesses it’s not a move that would get any particular fan base going. But, there are good reasons to go after Peterson as a value buy, per the site:

Peterson, who was part of postseason teams in Milwaukee in 2020 and ’21, has an .862 OPS since the beginning of June, posting a slash line of .306/.393/.469. He’s owed roughly $2.5 million this season and will earn $5 million in 2024, but given his ability to play second base, third base and the outfield (he’s actually played every position other than catcher at some point in his career), Peterson can be a valuable commodity in a bench role.

The June slash numbers are critical to knowing where Peterson is now after a slow start to 2023. His overall numbers in 65 games — .220/.314/.325/.639 with five home runs and 20 RBI — don’t look great. But the batting average is up nearly 90 points in the last three weeks.

His offensive numbers are on an uptick for a team embroiled in a potential move to Las Vegas and that will likely look to be a seller at the trade deadline.

Other good fits for Peterson include the Minnesota Twins and the Miami Marlins.

Could the Astros snap him up first?

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