Astros GM hints at team’s plan ahead of trade deadline
Oct 22, 2019; Houston, TX, USA; The Houston Astros logo is seen during the third inning of game one of the 2019 World Series against the Washington Nationals at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-USA TODAY Sports
The Houston Astros have had a down year so far this season. But Astros general manager Dana Brown doesn’t sound ready to take apart the team’s current core just yet.
The Astros entered Monday’s slate of contests 7.5 games out of both the AL West division lead and the final Wild Card spot.
Brown, however, didn’t sound too concerned when he addressed the media before the Astros’ Monday night contest against the St. Louis Cardinals. The second-year GM stated that the team was planning to acquire top-shelf talent rather than let any of their own players go.
“I don’t see any scenario where we’re sellers,” said Brown, via The Athletic’s Chandler Rome. “I think we’re going to be buyers. … I’ve seen teams blow leads from five games up to seven games up in September. “I don’t foresee us being sellers at all. We’re going to grind it out. I think we’re going to get back to .500 before people know it and we’ll be back in the race.”
Brown, who had previously served as a scouting director for the Atlanta Braves, referenced the 2021 World Series champions as a reason not to sell too early. He stated that the 2021 Braves didn’t get to a .500 record “until Game 100.”
The 2021 Braves closed their season with a 32-17 record to secure the NL East lead late in the campaign. Brown expressed his belief that the Astros could do the same.
The Astros took a step in the right direction Monday with a 7-3 win over the Cardinals. But the team didn’t leave Minute Maid Park unscathed as Astros star Kyle Tucker suffered a shin injury during the contest.
