Houston Astros Trade Rumors: 5 Most Valuable Commodities Astros Could Sell

To the surprise of no one, the Astros have been one of the most oft-mentioned teams in trade rumors recently.

They have been more or less out of the NL Central race since Memorial Day, they won't be contenders for several more seasons and to top if off, prospective new owner Jim Crane has asked the front office to try to get the payroll down to about $60 million. Add that all up and you have the makings of a very busy trade deadline for the Astros.

They have already moved utility infielder Jeff Keppinger and trade winds are swirling hard around several of their other veterans.

Historically, Ed Wade is a tough negotiator who asks for a lot in return for his players, but if Crane is demanding payroll be cut drastically, he probably won't have a choice.

Expect these seven players to be the most talked about players on the roster ahead of the July 31 trading deadline.

Hunter Pence

Hunter Pence is the most sought after asset on the Astros roster and it's easy to see why. He is a two-time All-Star and is currently in the middle of his best season statistically.

Pence is most known for his work at the plate as he is a solid average hitter who flashes power in streaks. His most desirable trait might be his versatility however. Pence currently plays right field for the Astros, so he could just as easily play left. His speed is also good enough that he could probably play center field in a pinch.

The Phillies are the team most often linked to Pence, but Jayson Stark of ESPN reports that an official views acquiring Pence as a long shot.

Pence's contract is desirable for teams and Ed Wade knows that. He seems perfectly content to hang on to Pence for the time being and keep him as a cornerstone of the rebuilding process in Houston if the offers for his star don't blow him away. 

It will be interesting to see how the market for Pence changes if Carlos Beltran is traded in the next couple of days. If Beltran gets moved, the teams that missed out on him will then turn their attention to other targets, namely Pence.

Michael Bourn

Michael Bourn hasn't been discussed as a trade target for teams nearly as much as Hunter Pence, but Ken Rosenthal of FoxSports.com writes that the Atlanta Braves like Bourn as a fallback option if their pursuit of Carlos Beltran and others falls through.

Bourn is desirable as a trade option for many of the reasons Pence is. Bourn, a former All-Star, is a Gold Glove-winner in center field and he is the most prolific base stealer in the major leagues.

He goes through stretches where he strikes out way too much, but for the most part, he is developing into a solid leadoff hitter.

Best of all, he is affordable right now. Bourn will make a total of $4.4 million in 2011 before being arbitration eligible in 2012.

In 2013, he will be a free agent and with Scott Boras as his agent, you know he is going to get paid in a big way.

Wandy Rodriguez

Wandy Rodriguez is one of the best pitchers you've never heard of. Since the start of 2008, Rodriguez has a 3.40 ERA. He features a plus fastball and a devastating curveball. Best of all, he's left-handed.

Teams should be jumping at the chance to acquire Rodriguez, but it's not happening. Jon Heyman of Sports Illustrated tweeted that general managers had been effectively scared off by the $40 million left on Rodriguez's current contract. Worse yet, Rodriguez has an option year in 2014 that automatically becomes a player option if he is traded.

Heyman also has written about the less than stellar perception of Rodriguez among front office executives. Heyman says that he has been described to him as a "poor man's Ted Lilly."

The Astros have expressed a willingness to eat a portion of his contract if a deal is reached, but the chances of that opportunity presenting itself seems to grow slimmer and slimmer by the day.

Brett Myers

Like Wandy Rodriguez, money will be a tough obstacle in the way of moving Brett Myers. Coming off a career year in 2010, the Astros signed Myers to a two-year extension. He will make a total of $7 million in 2011, but that will increase to $11 million next season.

In 2011, Myers has shown that his career year in 2010 was just that—a career year. So far this season, he is 3-10 with a 4.74 ERA. Truth be told, that ERA might not actually be a good enough indication of how badly he has struggled at times.

Myers has allowed 24 home runs this season, only seven shy of his season-high total of 31 and we're not even into August yet. His strikeouts are down this season as are his walks, but that's probably just because hitters are making more solid contact off of him.

Thanks to that ugly combination of underperforming and being overpaid, there is little activity as far as Brett Myers goes right now. Nick Cafardo of Boston.com said as much recently. Cafardo did mention, though, that Myers' versatility as a former closer in a tough market in Philadelphia might make him more attractive to teams as we get closer to the deadline.

If a deal for Myers gets done, I'd look for it to be an 11th hour deal to some team that feels pressure to make a move at any cost. Don't underestimate the pressure front offices feel to not stand pat sometimes.

Clint Barmes

When Clint Barmes was hitting around .200 at the start of June, few figured he would be on anyone's list of possible acquisitions at the trade deadline. Thanks to a torrid couple of weeks and his ability to play both middle infield spots, the market for Barmes is picking up a little bit.

Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com recently tweeted that the Milwaukee Brewers have had discussions about trading for the veteran infielder.

Barmes brings a lot to the table for a team looking to bolster their bench. He has a little pop in his bat, will be (relatively) cheap and as I mentioned already, he can play multiple positions.

He's also been around the league a while and is someone you won't have to worry about messing up team chemistry if he is brought on board.