Whenever any team collapses like the Houston Astros have in the second half of 2025, everyone is quick to try to assign blame. Christian Walker is a popular target for his lackluster season, as is the front office for signing him. Yordan Alvarez's injuries have certainly played a role, and it certainly hasn't helped matters that Houston's pitching staff has been ravaged by injuries. However, at least one Astros beat writer has a slightly different take as to the cause of this nightmarish stretch of baseball.
The trade deadline is supposed to be the time when contenders go out and make the moves that will propel them into the postseason.