The Houston Astros are staging a remarkable comeback in the AL West race after a rough start to the season. This resurgence has fueled speculation that they might pursue Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. before the August 1 MLB trade deadline, with Bet Online Sportsbook favoring the Astros as the top destination with +200 odds. Trailing behind are the Seattle Mariners and San Francisco Giants.
Guerrero, once hailed as a rising star, has seen a dip in performance over the past couple of seasons. In 2021, he made waves by finishing second in AL MVP voting with impressive stats: a .311/.401/.601 slash line, 48 home runs, 111 RBI, and leading the league in runs scored with 123. His defensive prowess was also notable, reflected in his 2.5 UZR/150 and 2 DRS, contributing to a 6.3 WAR.
However, Guerrero’s output has declined since then. In the subsequent seasons, his numbers have remained solid but not at the same stellar level as in 2021. In 2022, he posted a .274/.339/.480 line with 32 homers and 97 RBI, followed by a further decrease in 2023 with a .264/.345/.444 slash line, 26 home runs, and 94 RBI.
With one year left on his current contract after this season, the struggling Blue Jays might consider exploring trade opportunities for the three-time All-Star to revitalize their lineup.
