The Houston Astros are likely to be active at the trade deadline. With needs at a few key areas on the roster, especially in left field, the Astros could be among the most aggressive teams at the deadline.
According to Jim Bowden of The Athletic, the Astros might even use their top prospect in trade talks. When polling MLB executives, top Astros prospect Brice Matthews was one of the most likely prospects to be dealt at the trade deadline.
“There’s only one way I could see the Astros trading Matthews, 23, this month,” Bowden writes, “If they could get an impact left-handed-hitting second baseman in return – and I’m not sure whom they’d target. However, his name kept coming up, so there could be a potential match somewhere out there.”
Bowden’s comments are interesting for multiple reasons. Instead of the Astros looking to add a left-handed-hitting outfielder, Bowden links them to a second baseman. Jose Altuve is the team’s primary second baseman, and adding one in the trade market would be a strange move.
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The player Bowden and MLB executives predict could be on the move is also of interest. Matthews is the Astros’ top prospect and the only prospect inside the MLB top 100 prospects.
He’s been a recent riser, finally making it inside the top 100 prospects after a strong start to 2025. He’s batting .280 with 10 home runs and 39 RBIs, and 23 stolen bases through 254 at-bats this season in Triple-A.
Sitting one step away from the Major Leagues, Matthews has been impressing so far this season. He’s a potential call-up candidate at some point this season, but he’s also, according to MLB executives, a name often mentioned in trade talks.
Houston has a strong roster this year and could be looking to invest in more talent for a World Series push. Matthews could be a player on his way out to land such a top talent.
But the right player has to become available, and the current landscape might not have such a player. Houston is in the market for a lefty batter and could move Matthews to land such a player.
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