Last July, James Click struck early and often. He acquired four relievers in three trades spread across three separate days. Kendall Graveman and Rafael Montero arrived from Seattle three days before the July 30 deadline. A day later, Click added Yimi Garcia from Miami. On deadline day, he shipped center fielder Myles Straw to Cleveland in exchange for Phil Maton.
One year later, Click arrived at Minute Maid Park on Sunday without a deal and with only two days to find some. He is far from alone. Aside from the Seattle Mariners’ Friday night blockbuster for righthander Luis Castillo, the trade market is moving at a snail’s pace prior to Tuesday’s 5 p.m. deadline. The MLB Draft during All-Star week slowed some traction, but Click pointed out the calendar had a similar setup last season.Click contended the expanded postseason continues to slow the pace of trades leading into the deadline, a stretch where the Astros are expected to be aggressive but have yet to consummate any deals.
“It is slower, but we had that draft problem last year,” Click told the team’s pregame radio show on Sunday. “I think the main thing this year is the extra playoff spots have changed the market dynamics. We’re still hopeful. We’re still trying to get something done. But there are fewer teams that are aggressively selling and that makes it a little bit of a sellers market. We’re not selling, so that makes it tough on us.
Though Click did not acknowledge it on the team’s radio show, Houston’s needs are apparent: a backup catcher to spell Martín Maldonado, another bat to lengthen a top-heavy lineup and, perhaps, another reliever for the bullpen.