The Houston Astros have a few different plans in the works this offseason, and one of the main ones revolves around center fielder Jake Meyers.
With teams around Major League Baseball looking for right-handed hitting outfielders, Meyers, a righty with great defense in center field, is a valuable asset in trade talks.
According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Astros are shopping Meyers as they look for starting pitching in return. But the return isn't the only reason why the 2025 breakout outfielder is on the trade block this winter.
Why Jake Meyers is on Astros' trade block after breakout 2025 season
Rosenthal reports that the Astros are "offering center fielder Jake Meyers for other starters." Whether it's Shane Baz, Kris Bubic, or another starting pitcher, the Astros are shopping Meyers for a new pitcher.
The Astros need to address their starting rotation, as they're losing Framber Valdez to free agency and dealing with a lot of injury uncertainty with their current crop of starters.
Moving on from Meyers to fill that hole makes a lot of sense, especially since finding a replacement outfielder might not be the hardest issue for the Astros to deal with.
Houston has another reason to move on from Meyers, however. With left-handed hitters Jacob Melton and Zach Cole waiting in the wings, shipping off Meyers makes even more sense.
More: Astros linked to Phillies fan-favorite ace as Framber Valdez replacement
The last year or so, the Astros have been clear about their desire to add more left-handed hitting to the lineup. Instead of trying to trade or sign a lefty hitter, the Astros could trade away Meyers and open a pathway for a young lefty to join the lineup.
Meyers is under contract for just the next two seasons, and while he's coming off a.292 batting average season, a big breakout for the center fielder, he's better used as a trade chip.
The Astros are shopping Meyers after a breakout 2025 campaign, and it's clear why. They have the players ready to take his spot, and could use him to land a much-needed starting pitcher this winter.
More Astros News:
- Kyle Tucker predicted to break baseball, sign with Dodgers to chase World Series ring
- Astros' Jake Meyers receives trade rumor update from MLB insiders
- Astros sign 2.87 ERA KBO starter to bolster injured rotation
- Astros predicted to buy low on $13.5 million All-Star, Cy Young candidate to replace Framber Valdez
- Astros could fix defensive issues with trade of struggling 20-homer catcher