NEW YORK — Let’s go back to July 31, the non-waiver deadline. When the day began, the Houston Astros had already given up on acquiring Justin Verlander — they had taken their best shot, and the Detroit Tigers would not budge. But the Astros believed they had a good chance of getting three relievers: Francisco Liriano, whom they acquired; Zach Britton, whom they did not; and a third, still-unidentified high-end type who became unattainable when his team’s ownership nixed a proposed deal.
That mystery reliever, whoever he is, remains an Astros target entering the offseason, according to major league sources.