The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team that has seen its fair share of ups and downs in recent years. One of the team’s most consistent and reliable players during their successful run has been outfielder Michael Brantley.
However, rumors have swirled recently suggesting that the Astros may have traded Brantley. Fans have been left wondering whether or not Brantley is still with the team. In this blog post, we will explore the question
“Did Astros trade Michael Brantley?” by analyzing the available information, including official announcements and trade rumors. By the end of this post, we hope to provide a clear answer to this question and shed light on the potential impact of a trade on the Astros’ roster.
Background
Michael Brantley is a veteran outfielder who began his Major League Baseball career with the Cleveland Indians in 2009. During his time in Cleveland, Brantley was known for his consistency at the plate, strong defense, and ability to stay healthy.
He was named an All-Star in 2014 and 2017, won a Silver Slugger award in 2014, and finished third in the American League MVP voting in 2014.
Brantley joined the Astros as a free agent prior to the 2019 season, signing a two-year, $32 million contract. In his first season with Houston, Brantley was a key contributor to the team’s success, hitting .311 with 22 home runs and 90 RBIs.
He followed that up with another strong season in 2020, hitting .300 with 5 home runs and 22 RBIs in 46 games.
Despite Brantley’s success with the Astros, there were rumors and reports during the offseason that suggested the team may have been considering trading him. Some of these reports suggested that the Astros were looking to shed salary in order to stay under the luxury tax threshold.
Other reports suggested that the Astros may have been trying to acquire starting pitching or prospects in exchange for Brantley.
However, despite the rumors, the Astros did not make a move to trade Brantley. In fact, they announced a new deal with him in December 2020 that included incentives for plate appearances.
This suggests that the team values Brantley’s contributions to the lineup and sees him as a key piece of their roster moving forward.
The Deal
In December 2020, the Houston Astros announced a new deal with Michael Brantley. The deal was a two-year contract worth $32 million, which was the same amount Brantley had signed for in his previous deal with the team.
The announcement of the new deal put an end to the rumors and speculation that had suggested the Astros may have been considering trading Brantley.
One unique aspect of Brantley’s new contract was the inclusion of incentives for plate appearances. According to Chandler Rome of the Houston Chronicle, Brantley would receive $500,000 for reaching both 400 and 425 plate appearances.
He would then receive an additional $750,000 for reaching each of the following milestones: 450, 475, 500, and 525 plate appearances.
These incentives were structured in a way that would incentivize the Astros to keep Brantley in the lineup as much as possible, while also giving Brantley the opportunity to earn more money if he is able to stay healthy and contribute at the plate.
It was a creative way for the Astros to reward one of their most consistent and reliable players, while also giving them some flexibility in terms of managing their payroll.
Overall, the deal demonstrated the team’s commitment to keeping Brantley in Houston for at least the next two seasons.
Trade Rumors and Speculation
During the 2020 offseason, there were several rumors and reports that suggested the Houston Astros were considering trading Michael Brantley. One of the reasons behind these rumors was the team’s desire to stay under the luxury tax threshold, which they had exceeded in 2020.
Trading Brantley, who was set to earn $16 million in 2021, would have helped the team shed some salary and potentially avoid paying luxury tax penalties.
Another reason for the trade rumors may have been the team’s desire to acquire starting pitching. The Astros lost several key pitchers during the 2020 offseason, including Gerrit Cole and Wade Miley.
Acquiring a high-quality starter could have been a priority for the team, and trading Brantley could have been a way to acquire the necessary assets to make that happen.
Despite these rumors, the Astros did not ultimately trade Brantley, and instead signed him to a new two-year deal. It’s possible that the team realized Brantley’s value to the lineup and decided that it was worth keeping him on the roster, even if it meant going over the luxury tax threshold.
Brantley’s consistency at the plate and ability to play multiple positions in the outfield also make him a valuable asset to the team’s roster construction.
Overall, while the trade rumors surrounding Brantley may have been based on legitimate concerns for the team’s payroll and starting pitching needs, the Astros ultimately decided that keeping Brantley was the best move for the team.
Analysis
Based on the available information, it seems that a trade of Michael Brantley was a possibility but not a certainty.
While there were certainly concerns about the team’s payroll and the need for starting pitching, the Astros also valued Brantley’s contributions to the team and may have been hesitant to part ways with him.
Additionally, the market for a player like Brantley may not have been particularly strong, given his age (33 at the time) and injury history.
If the Astros had decided to trade Brantley, it would have had a significant impact on the team’s roster. Brantley was one of the team’s most consistent hitters, and losing him would have left a hole in the lineup.
Additionally, Brantley’s versatility in the outfield (he can play left, center, and right field) made him a valuable asset in terms of defensive flexibility. Losing Brantley would have forced the team to find a replacement who could match his offensive production and defensive versatility.
On the other hand, if the Astros had been able to acquire a high-quality starting pitcher in exchange for Brantley, it could have had a positive impact on the team’s rotation. However, it’s worth noting that starting pitching was not the team’s only area of need.
The Astros also lost several key relievers during the offseason, and a trade of Brantley may not have addressed that need.
In the end, the Astros decided to keep Brantley and sign him to a new two-year deal. This decision demonstrated the team’s commitment to keeping one of their most consistent and valuable players on the roster.
While a trade of Brantley may have been a possibility, it ultimately did not come to fruition, and the Astros will enter the 2021 season with Brantley as a key piece of their lineup.
Michael Brantley’s Stats With the Houston Astros and His Career Stats
| Statistic | Career | With Astros |
|---|---|---|
| Batting Average | .297 | .309 |
| Home Runs | 114 | 27 |
| RBIs | 640 | 95 |
| OPS | .793 | .867 |
| All-Star Selections | 3 | 1 |
The table compares Brantley’s career stats to his stats since joining the Astros. As you can see, Brantley has maintained a high level of performance with the Astros, hitting for a higher average and maintaining a strong OPS.
He has also been named an All-Star once with the Astros, bringing his career total to three selections.
FAQs
How has Michael Brantley performed since joining the Astros?
Brantley has been a key contributor to the Astros’ lineup since joining the team in 2019. In his first two seasons with the team, he hit .309 with 27 home runs, 95 RBIs, and a .867 OPS in 193 games played. He was named to the All-Star team in 2019 and finished third in the AL batting race.
What other factors may have influenced the Astros’ decision to keep Brantley?
In addition to his on-field performance, Brantley is also known for his leadership and clubhouse presence. He has been described as a positive influence on his teammates and a valuable veteran presence in the clubhouse. These factors may have also played a role in the Astros’ decision to keep him.
Was Brantley a free agent before the Astros signed him to a new deal?
Yes, Brantley became a free agent after the 2020 season, but the Astros were able to sign him to a new two-year deal before he hit the open market. The deal includes a player option for the 2023 season.
How does Brantley’s contract compare to other outfielders in MLB?
Brantley’s contract is considered to be fairly reasonable for a player of his caliber. His $32 million deal over two years puts him in the middle tier of outfield contracts in MLB. For comparison, Bryce Harper signed a 13-year, $330 million deal with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2019, while Mookie Betts signed a 12-year, $365 million extension with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2020.
Conclusion
While there were rumors and reports that the Houston Astros were considering trading Michael Brantley during the 2020 offseason, the team ultimately decided to keep him and sign him to a new two-year deal.
The potential trade was likely driven by concerns about the team’s payroll and the need for starting pitching, but ultimately the Astros valued Brantley’s contributions to the team too much to part ways with him.
Keeping Brantley on the roster ensures the team has one of their most consistent and valuable hitters in the lineup, and his defensive versatility will be a valuable asset as well.
While a trade of Brantley may have had a significant impact on the Astros’ roster, the team’s decision to keep him demonstrates their commitment to building a competitive team.
