The Houston Astros are off to a nightmare start, sitting at 12-21—tied with the Los Angeles Angels for the worst record in the American League. For a team that has been the gold standard of consistency in recent years, this stumble feels like a punch to the gut for fans in Houston.
Injuries have decimated the starting rotation, and the pitching staff as a whole is struggling to find any rhythm. With no immediate relief in sight, the season could spiral into an even bigger disaster. But according to a recent poll of 20 MLB executives conducted by Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, there's one prediction that would be the absolute worst outcome for Astros fans: a potential trade of Yordan Alvarez.
The poll asked executives to predict which star player is most likely to be dealt this season. Miami Marlins ace Sandy Alcantara led the way with four votes, while Minnesota Twins' Joe Ryan and Washington Nationals' CJ Abrams each received three. But two executives cast their votes for Alvarez—a move that would send shockwaves through the sport and devastate the Houston faithful.
"Yordan Alvarez was the only other player to receive more than one vote," Feinsand reported. "One NL executive theorized that the Astros' 12-20 start could prompt big moves in Houston. Even if that was to happen, trading Alvarez would be a bold move to say the least."
It's no secret that if the season continues on its current trajectory, the Astros could become sellers at the trade deadline. Names like Isaac Paredes, Christian Walker, and Bryan Abreu have already been floated as potential trade chips. But moving Alvarez would be a seismic shift—a clear signal that Houston is hitting the reset button and entering a full rebuild.
Alvarez is under contract through 2028, giving the Astros three more seasons of control over one of the most dangerous hitters in the game. He's currently posting a staggering 1.153 OPS, proving that even in a lost season, his bat remains elite. Trading a talent like that would not only break the hearts of fans but also set the franchise back years in its quest to return to contention.
For now, Astros fans can only hope that this poll remains just speculation—and that their front office holds onto the slugger who has been the team's brightest star in an otherwise dark season.