MLB Trade Rumors: Houston Astros, Atlanta Braves Actively Pursuing Deals Hours Before 2019 Deadline

Trevor Bauer was sent to the Cincinnati Reds Tuesday night, marking another surprising trade in the days leading up to the 2019 MLB deadline. With Marcus Stroman going to the New York Mets just a few days prior, two teams with losing records have made the biggest additions of the summer.

Maybe the Reds or Mets will surprise the league with a late wild-card run, but neither team appears to be a legitimate World Series contender. Some of the top teams in baseball are aggressively pursuing a move by 4 p.m. EDT Wednesday.

The New York Yankees want to add a starting pitcher, but their unwillingness to part with their best prospects might prevent them from making a trade. The same goes for the Los Angeles Dodgers, who are hoping to upgrade the bullpen.

The Houston Astros and Atlanta Braves are among the contenders that are trying to make a trade. They’ve been linked to some of the top names available and could acquire an impactful player in the hours leading up to the deadline.

Houston is reportedly eyeing all the top starters that might be available. They were considered by some to be the frontrunners for Bauer. The Astros were interested in Noah Syndergaard, who has been taken off the market by the New York Mets, according to Joel Sherman of The New York Post.

It might be the Astros that land Madison Bumgarner if the San Francisco Giants are willing to trade their ace. That’s a big “if,” considering the Giants are only 2.5 games out of the wild-card race.

The Astros might ultimately acquire the Mets’ starter that is available. A few general managers reportedly believe Zack Wheeler will end up in Houston.

Wheeler isn’t exactly a game-changer, though he could help the Astros’ rotation. Houston is also eyeing relief help to improve their chances of getting back to the Fall Classic.

Earlier this season, Atlanta added one of the starters that helped Houston win the 2017 World Series. The Braves signed Dallas Keuchel in June. but the team is looking to make more additions.

Atlanta is reportedly looking to acquire another pitcher. The Braves traded for Texas Rangers’ reliever Chris Martin Tuesday.

According to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, the Braves are pursuing an outfielder. Atlanta was reportedly interested in Yasiel Puig before he was traded to the Cleveland Indians.

Houston is a game ahead of the Yankees for the best record in the American League. Atlanta trails the Dodgers with the second-best record in the National League.