Will Justin Verlander be traded this summer?

With the Astros out to a rough start here in 2024, speculation has been mounting that they may have to consider a deadline selloff this summer.

The Singleton Factor and Other Astros’ Items

Jon Singleton warms up prior to the game against the Mariners at MMP. | Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports

Is Jon Singleton the answer at 1st base? That, and other items to consider

Singleton

It is no secret that the Astros have not gotten the offensive production they expected from 1st base. The Astros are ranked 29th out of 30 teams in first base wRC+. The Astros transferred the starter, Jose Abreu, to the Astros’ training facilities in Palm Beach to work on his swing.

Some fans...

Astros Prospect Report: May 5th

JUPITER, FLORIDA - MARCH 17, 2024: Jake Bloss #30 of the Houston Astros throws a pitch during the fifth inning of a spring training Spring Breakout game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium on March 17, 2024 in Jupiter, Florida. | Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images

See how the prospects performed last night.

Another day of Astros minor league action is in the books. See the results below!

Astros Crawfish Boil: May 6, 2024

Big Jon | Photo by Jack Gorman/Getty Images

Welcome to the Monday Boil.

Houston Astros News

‘We’re better than that’: ‘Pen squanders Astros’ hard-earned lead

Houston Astros Trade Little-Used Reliever To Toronto Blue Jays

Houston Astros Struggle During First Month Of MLB Season

Red Sox loosely linked to 2025 star free agent, but it doesn’t seem like a fit

Three takeaways from an otherwise encouraging Astros homestand that ended with a thud

Cellar-dwelling Astros not...

Watch: Astros woes continue in one-run loss to Mariners

The Houston Astros look nothing like the team that has dominated the American League in recent years.

Astros Self-Destruct Again. Fall to Seattle 5-4

Jon Singleton (28) hits a two-run home run to right field against the Seattle Mariners | Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports

Collective bullpen failure hands over win despite homers by Tucker and Singleton

The Astros’ 2024 season has become a case study of all the different ways to lose a game. Today, they allowed the tying run to reach scoring position on a balk, followed the next inning by a game-winning home run against the $90 million “best closer” in baseball.

It could have been...

Game 34 Thread. May 5, 2024, 1:10 CT. Astros @ Mariners.

Photo by Jack Gorman/Getty Images

Is Hunter Brown up to the task of taking the rubber match. Comments below.

Astros Prospect Report: May 4th

Western Carolina’s Pascanel Ferreras (1) stops a ground ball during the college baseball game between Tennessee and Western Carolina on Tuesday, March 30, 2021 at Lindsey Nelson Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn | Saul Young/News Sentinel via Imagn Content Services, LLC

See how the prospects performed last night.

Another day of Astros minor league action is in the books. See the results below!

Here is the previous day’s recap.

Sugar...

Astros trade RHP Joel Kuhnel to Blue Jays

The Houston Astros traded right-handed pitcher Joel Kuhnel to the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday for cash considerations. Kuhnel had been designated for assignment by Houston on Tuesday, a move that made room for center fielder Joey Loperfido on the 40-man roster.

Well, That Was A Letdown; Mariners Blank Astros 5-0

Photo by Jack Gorman/Getty Images

I mostly stay in my lane about the Astros, writing posts about things that catch my interest or draw my ire. The same applies to game recaps. There were typically more positive angles to write about than negatives in past seasons. If that was the tradeoff for two World Series titles, four pennants, and seven consecutive ALCS appearances, well, so be it. You didn’t have to twist my arm too much in that case. But with this season’s terrible start, it...

Blue Jays acquire potentially useful reliever in trade

The Blue Jays have traded for reliever Joel Kuhnel.

Game 33 Thread. May 4, 2024, 6:10 CT. Mariners @ Astros

Jose Altuve #27 of the Houston Astros steals the 300th base of his career | Photo by Jack Gorman/Getty Images

Framber hits the mound hoping to take back more lost ground from the first place Mariners.

I’m not sure if the Astros won last night’s game or if the Mariners lost it. At least it’s nice to have the other team blow the game for once instead of the Astros killing themselves.

I mean, with runners on second and third and no outs in the eighth down two, how did the Mariners...

Astros Prospect Report: May 3rd

Feb 21, 2024; West Palm, FL, USA; Houston Astros outfielder Quincy Hamilton (82) poses for a photo during photo day at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches complex. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro | Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

See how the prospects performed last night.

Another day of Astros minor league action is in the books. See the results below!

Here is the previous day’s recap.

Sugar Land got on the board in the first on a Bastidas RBI...

The Astros Have Multiple Interesting Trade Candidates

In 2019, the Washington Nationals started the season 19-31, only to turn their season around and win 93 games, ultimately capturing the first World Series title in franchise history at the expense of the Houston Astros.

Phew, That Was Stressful; Astros Beat Mariners 5-3

Photo by Jack Gorman/Getty Images

Other than, somehow, the Red Sox, there likely isn’t a better starting rotation in the American League at present than the Mariners. It is arguably the deepest staff and boasted the best strikeout rate in baseball (26.8%) and the third-lowest walk rate (5.8%) entering Friday. A daunting matchup for any lineup, especially for one hovering slightly above league average in runs per game (4.58), I mean, these Astros haven’t had much of an issue collecting...

Game 32 Thread. May 3, 2024, 7:10 CT. Mariners @ Astros

Photo by Jack Gorman/Getty Images

Astros Second Baseman Is One Stolen Base from History

Doing one thing well enough in the majors can be a challenge. Although, having to do two different things is very unique. The type of slugger who tends to hit the long ball is often no threat on the bases.

Astros considering major move with starting rotation

The Houston Astros are considering rolling out a six-man rotation.

Astros Prospect Report: May 2nd

WEST PALM BEACH, FLORIDA - MARCH 18, 2024: Shay Whitcomb #87 of the Houston Astros bats during the sixth inning of a spring training game against the Washington Nationals at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches on March 18, 2024 in West Palm Beach, Florida. | Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images

See how the prospects performed last night.

Another day of Astros minor league action is in the books. See the results below!

Here is the previous day’s recap.

Astros Crawfish Boil: May 3, 2024

Big Jon was yesterday’s big hero. Who will step up for Houston today? | Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images

The weekend is here. Long live Friday.

Houston Astros News

Singleton’s power surge continues: ‘It was my chance’

Josh Hader & Jose Abreu’s Sudden Unselfishness Shows the Astros’ Winning Culture Still Matters (PaperCity Magazine)

Astros insider: Jon Singleton makes case for first-base job (Houston Chronicle)

The Astros are enjoying a detour from the disappointment — well,...