Tagged: Jose Valverde

Astros unlikely to make trade

Considering they’re still in the think of the National League playoff race and they aren’t wild about trading away prospects (remember they sent some guy name Ben Zobrist to the Rays for Aubrey Huff a few years ago?), the Astros don’t expect to make a splash before the trade deadline.

Astros general manager Ed Wade made two trades last year that wound up having huge impacts, acquiring pitchers Randy Wolf and LaTroy Hawkins. Shortstop Miguel Tejada, closer Jose Valverde and Hawkins — all of whom will be free agents at season’s end — would be the most likely to get dealt, but not while the Astros are in position for another one of their usual second-half playoff charges.

Wade said any players coming on board to help the Astros in the second half would likely be call-ups from the Minor Leagues, such as pitcher Bud Norris and third baseman Chris Johnson. Norris will be up at some point this season.