For years, we have criticized the Astros for not making that big splash to get better. It seems like the most significant trade deadline acquisitions have been Jeff Bagwell, Randy Johnson, and Carlos Beltran in 2004. Yes, Beltran was traded on June 24th that year, it was still an impactful move. Greg Rajan did a piece looking back at the best and worst deadline deals.
Bagwell was not a trade to get better for that season, but he did have a heck of a career. The Astros have made a few head-scratching trades over the years but made a curious one this past year by trading for Francisco Liriano to be the lefty reliever.