The Houston Astros are facing a season of unexpected turbulence, entering today's MLB games with the second-worst record in the American League. While their lineup still ranks among the league's top ten, a struggling pitching staff has dragged the team down, raising questions about whether the front office will become sellers at the trade deadline.

According to Robert Murray of Fansided, if the Astros decide to strip down their roster this summer, infielder Isaac Paredes and first baseman Christian Walker are the most likely candidates to be moved. Houston currently sits at 18-28, ten games below .500, but just four games behind the Texas Rangers for the third AL wild card spot. They're also only six games back of the first-place Sacramento Athletics in the AL West, meaning a rebound isn't out of the question.

The key issue, however, is the pitching staff's ability to turn things around. Hunter Brown is on the 60-day injured list with a shoulder issue and isn't expected back until June. Ronel Blanco (elbow) is still limited to bullpen sessions, and Cristian Javier is early in a throwing program with a return not expected until midsummer. The numbers tell a grim story: Houston has the worst ERA in MLB at 5.47, the only team over 5.00. While the starting rotation has a 5.16 ERA (29th in MLB), the bullpen has been the biggest culprit with a staggering 5.81 ERA.

On the bright side, Christian Walker is boosting his trade value with a strong season. In the second year of a three-year, $60 million contract, he has improved across the board—raising his batting average from .235 to .268, his on-base percentage from .297 to .342, and his OPS from .717 to .848. Isaac Paredes, making $9.5 million this season with a $13.35 million club option for 2027, has posted a .734 OPS with a .257 average, making him an attractive option for contenders needing infield help.

As the summer heats up, all eyes will be on Houston's front office to see if they hold or fold.