The trade deadline is less than two weeks away. According to FanGraphs, the Astros have an 85.7 percent chance to win the AL West, and their odds of winning the World Series are tops in the AL and second overall only to the Dodgers. The club is assuredly going to be a buyer at the deadline. What’s yet to be determined is how high the top brass will aim.
The uncertainty stems from the condition of the organization’s farm system. While not devoid of talent, it’s not what it used to be, due to former general manager Jeff Luhnow’s tendency to go big-game hunting during this time of year.