Yordan Alvarez trade talk heats up as Astros sit in last place with a wave of devastating injuries
The Houston Astros have been one of the most consistent teams in Major League Baseball in the modern era. Over the past decade, the Astros have the second-most wins and second-highest winning percentage of any organization at 890-627.
They have won two World Series championships, one in 2022 and the other in 2017. But the 2017 championship was marred by one of the most egregious cheating scandals in baseball history.
They have made the World Series four times since 2017, won the AL West in seven of eight years and made the postseason eight years in a row. That streak ended in 2025, when a series of injuries led to an 87-75 season. 2026 was supposed to be a return to form led by ace Hunter Brown, new import Tatsuya Imai, closer Josh Hader, Yordan Alvarez, one of the best hitters in baseball, and hope for a revived season in Houston for Carlos Correa.
Fast forward to mid-May and the Astros are in bad shape. After a loss on Sunday, they fell to 16-25, last in the league and have the second-worst seed spread in the American League.
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This is just the beginning of their problems.
Carlos Correa of the Houston Astros reacts after batting in the third inning against the Athletics on April 5, 2026 in West Sacramento, California. (Sara Nevis/AP Photo)
Brown was on the injured list for most of the season with shoulder soreness. Josh Hader has yet to pitch this year due to left biceps tendinitis. Jeremy Pena has been out of action since mid-April due to a hamstring strain. Imai suffered arm fatigue after a brutal start to his MLB career, which he later blamed on a difficult adjustment to the US lifestyle. Christian Javier also left the game due to shoulder discomfort.
Then the big blow. Just last week, Correa was out for the season with a torn ankle tendon, an injury that occurred during batting practice.
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Some of the injured players are scheduled to return in the coming weeks, but that raises a difficult question for a team that has always been a part of the postseason conversation: Is it time to sell? The free agent market isn’t very strong after the 2026 season, and headliner Tarik Skubal will also miss time due to injury. Can Houston deal Alvarez and rebuild for next year and beyond?
Bob Nightengale USA Today He brought up the issue by quoting a “veteran scout” who compared Alvarez to Barry Bonds. Another executive said any potential trade package would be huge.
“He’s the best hitter I’ve seen in this game since Barry Bonds,” the scout said. “This guy is incredible. He’s the best hitter in the game and it’s not even close.”
Yordan Alvarez of the Houston Astros celebrates hitting a three-run home run against the Philadelphia Phillies in the sixth inning of Game Six of the 2022 World Series at Minute Maid Park on November 5, 2022 in Houston, Texas. (Harry How/Getty Images)
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“If they trade him, I think they would get a better package than the Nationals got for Juan Soto,” the manager added.
Nightengale added that no deal is imminent and unlikely, but it would be irresponsible for the Astros not to listen if such an offer were to arise. Alvarez is once again having an outstanding season. Entering Sunday, he was hitting .327/.432/.660 with 13 home runs; this was good for 195 weighted runs created plus 2.1 strikeouts above replacement.
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He is only 28 years old and signed for the 2028 season. While his defensive value is minimal, his offensive contributions are so valuable that he could bring back many key players. And any number of teams would be interested.
Houston Astros outfielder Yordan Alvarez hits a single against the Detroit Tigers in game one of the Wild Card round of the 2024 MLB playoffs on October 1, 2024 at Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas. (Troy Taormina/Imagn Images)
For example, the Mets are in desperate need of help offensively. The Boston Red Sox could be aggressive and have a chance to make a deal. Under Buster Posey, San Francisco has shown a willingness to make big trades. If Alvarez is available, there will be no shortage of suitors. Maybe it should be, given Houston’s aging roster, crushing injuries and poor start.
