The Houston Astros have begun to steady themselves after a rough start to the season, slowly climbing back into contention. Even though the team still sits six games below .500, recent improvements have sparked optimism around a possible postseason push. However, despite ongoing speculation around the trade market—especially involving star slugger Yordan Alvarez—the Astros’ front office has made its stance extremely clear.
General manager Dana Brown firmly shut down any idea that Alvarez could be moved, stressing that the organization has not even entertained internal discussions about trading him. Speaking to The Houston Chronicle’s Matt Kawahara, Brown emphasized that the rumors have no foundation.
“We’ve had zero discussions about trading Alvarez internally. We’ve had zero conversations,” Brown said, making it clear that the All-Star outfielder remains a core piece of the franchise.
Houston’s recent performance has shown signs of life, with the team winning 11 of its last 17 games. That surge has pulled them to within 2.5 games of a potential postseason position. Still, advanced projections like those from FanGraphs remain cautious, giving the Astros just a 22.7% chance of making the playoffs. Despite those odds, Brown has not shifted into a seller’s mindset.
Instead, he remains optimistic that the team simply needs more time with its key players on the field together. He pointed out that injuries and inconsistency have prevented Houston from fielding its ideal lineup on a regular basis.
“I just think it’s a matter of time for us to collectively play multiple games in a row with our best players. Which I don’t think has happened,” Brown explained.
Alvarez, who is signed to a long-term, team-friendly extension running through the 2028 season, remains one of the most valuable assets in baseball. His combination of elite power and cost-controlled contract makes him virtually untouchable in trade discussions. Brown also extended similar protection to shortstop Jeremy Peña, another foundational player in Houston’s long-term plans.
“These are two pillars on this team that I feel like is playoff bound,” Brown said. “So we can’t go trading two pillars. Both those guys hit at the top of our lineup.”
As the Astros move deeper into the season, health is becoming a major storyline. Several key players are nearing returns, including closer Josh Hader, who is back after recovering from shoulder surgery. Additional reinforcements are also expected, with Hunter Brown and Yainer Diaz both progressing in their recoveries from injury setbacks.
The return of key contributors could give Houston a clearer picture of what this roster is truly capable of. If the team can stabilize and string together consistent performances, they still have a chance to make a run in a wide-open Wild Card race. However, if they fall short, the front office may eventually consider selling at the deadline—just not involving Alvarez.
Brown stressed that the immediate focus is on health, execution, and simplifying the approach at the plate and on the mound.
“I think we’ve got to get healthy, number one,” he said. “And then guys have to play their part, not try to do too much. Play the game the way it’s supposed to be played.”
With a favorable upcoming schedule featuring several series against sub-.500 teams, the Astros have an opportunity to build momentum. If their stars stay healthy and perform, Houston could still position itself as a postseason contender.
As Brown summed it up, the remainder of the season will ultimately reveal the team’s identity: whether they are true contenders or not, and what moves—if any—should come next.
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