With the MLB trade deadline only days away, the Houston Astros are dealing with a challenging situation caused by numerous injuries across their roster. General manager Dana Brown must navigate the difficult task of deciding whether to trade Chas McCormick, despite the risk of losing a healthy player during a time when the team is already stretched thin.
Chas McCormick Emerges as a Key Trade Possibility
Among injured players and roster concerns, outfielder Chas McCormick has become the center of trade speculation. As sports journalist Chandler Rome explains,
Houston’s major-league roster is so ravaged by injury that it’s difficult to envision any player getting moved, but McCormick makes the most sense if one does.
—Chandler Rome, Journalist
McCormick remains a valuable asset for Houston, under team control until 2026 and earning a reasonable salary of $3.4 million this season. Although his current performance in 41 games has underwhelmed, his prior achievements suggest that his potential has yet to be fully realized.
Reviewing McCormick’s Track Record and 2024 Performance
From 2021 through 2023, McCormick showed promising results, compiling 7.4 Wins Above Replacement (WAR), with a .259 batting average, a .336 on-base percentage, and a .449 slugging percentage. His overall OPS of .786 and strong 117 OPS+ underline his status as an above-average hitter who played an important role in the Astros’ 2022 World Series title.
Despite these achievements, the Astros must carefully evaluate his current form against their urgent needs. The possibility of trading McCormick may provide some future assets, but the question remains whether the team can afford to lose a healthy outfielder during this injury-riddled stretch.
The Complications Injuries Add to Trade Considerations
The Astros’ outfield has been hit hard by injuries, which complicates the prospect of trading away a fit player like McCormick. Losing him could deepen their roster problems, forcing the team to weigh the risk of further depletion against the potential benefits of acquiring new talent through a trade.
This balancing act presents a major challenge as the trade deadline approaches, requiring Houston’s management to decide whether to maintain stability or to pursue short- and long-term improvements by potentially moving McCormick.
The Critical Choice That Will Shape Houston’s Roster
In the final hours before the MLB trade deadline, the Astros face a tense decision that could influence the remainder of their season. Retaining McCormick offers hope for a performance rebound and roster health, while trading him might yield future gains but increase current vulnerabilities. The outcome of this choice will play a significant role in Houston’s ability to navigate its ongoing injury crisis and maintain competitiveness in the MLB season.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What happened to Chas McCormick?
A. On April 18, 2023, McCormick went on a 10-day injured list due to tightness in his lower back. By April 29, 2023, he started a rehab assignment with the Double-A Corpus Christi Hooks. On May 8, 2023, the Astros removed him from the 10-day injured list.