Houston Astros Near Last in AL West Despite Trade Rumors for Yordan Alvarez The Houston Astros, currently sitting near the bottom of the American League standings with a 28-25 record and fourth place in their division, are unlikely to enter a full-scale rebuild by trading their MVP favorite, Yordan Alvarez, during the season. Despite their struggles, the Astros are not expected to make a significant move involving Alvarez before the Aug. 3 trade deadline, according to ESPN’s Jeff Passan. This season has been a challenging one for the Astros, who are on pace to have their worst performance since 2014 when they finished with a 70-92 record. The team also ranks fourth-worst in the American League with a run differential of minus-35, trailing only the Baltimore Orioles, Kansas City Royals, and Los Angeles Angels. Adding to their woes is a lack of promising prospects in their farm system, which MLB.com has labeled as the worst in the league. Coming into the season, the Astros did not have a top-100 prospect, further limiting their options for future development. Yordan Alvarez remains the team’s most valuable asset, both on and off the field. The 28-year-old slugger is having an MVP-caliber season, posting a .316/.426/.649 slash line with 21 home runs in 62 games. His performance has earned him a spot at the top of league leaderboards, as he leads the American League in batting average and home runs while also holding the highest slugging percentage in Major League Baseball at .649. His combination of age and offensive prowess makes him a potential game-changer for any contending team in a playoff race. Alvarez is under contract for two more seasons, with a total of $53.6 million in guaranteed pay.#mlb #jeff_passan #american_league #houston_astro #yordan_alvarez
Cubs Extend Pete Crow-Armstrong - MLB Trade Rumors The Chicago Cubs and star center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong are finalizing a long-term contract extension, according to ESPN reporter Jeff Passan. Once completed, the deal will secure one of baseball’s premier defensive players for the team’s future. Crow-Armstrong, who has been a key asset for the Cubs since joining the organization, is expected to remain with the club for multiple seasons. The Cubs attempted to finalize a deal with Crow-Armstrong during last year’s Spring Training, but the sides could not reach an agreement. At the time, Crow-Armstrong was coming off a rookie season marked by a .237/.286/.384 batting line. However, the Cubs believed he had untapped offensive potential. Despite the failed negotiation, there was never any question about his defensive capabilities, which have consistently been among the best in the league. A year later, Crow-Armstrong has evolved into a more well-rounded player. His offensive production has surged, with a career-high 31 home runs and 72 extra-base hits. He also stole 35 bases, joining an elite group of players who reached the 30-30 milestone. His all-around impact was further highlighted by 24 Outs Above Average and 15 Defensive Runs Saved, tying him for second among center fielders in the latter category. For much of the 2024 season, Crow-Armstrong was considered a top-three MVP candidate. He began the year on an offensive tear, hitting 27 home runs with a .272/.309/.559 slash line through mid-July. However, his performance dipped significantly in the final months, as he struggled to a .188/.237/.295 line over his last 200 plate appearances. Despite the late-season slump, his overall contributions to the team have solidified his value as a cornerstone player.#chicago_cubs #pete_crowarmstrong #jeff_passan #mlb_trade_rumors #center_field
