The Astros' Demise: From Contenders to Cellar Dwellers

Once a formidable force in the AL, the Houston Astros are now floundering at the bottom of their division, raising questions about their future and the possibility of becoming sellers at the trade deadline.

The Houston Astros, once a perennial playoff contender, have hit rock bottom in 2024, raising concerns about their future and the possibility of becoming sellers at the trade deadline.

After a strong start to the 2023 season, the Astros have stumbled out of the gate in 2024, posting a dismal 12-23 record. They are now in last place in the AL West, with no signs of improvement on the horizon.

The Astros' struggles have been attributed to a combination of factors, including poor starting pitching, a lack of offensive production, and a general malaise that seems to have permeated the clubhouse.

In their series opener against the Yankees on Tuesday, the Astros were completely outplayed, falling 10-3. Justin Verlander, the Astros' ace, was unable to make it out of the fifth inning, allowing three home runs.

"You don't expect to see them in the standings where they are," Yankees manager Aaron Boone said of Houston. "But it's baseball, and it's a stretch. So you still expect them to get it going. Hopefully, we can push that off for a few days. But they have all the players and the talent and guys who have been through the grind and have been kind of the standard over the last several years."

Verlander's struggles are just one of many concerns for the Astros. The starting rotation as a whole has been inconsistent, with several pitchers underperforming their expectations. The offense has also been anemic, with the Astros ranking among the worst in the league in several offensive categories.

"We haven't executed enough as a complete unit," Astros third baseman Alex Bregman told FOX Sports. "Some days we execute well at the plate, sometimes we execute well on the mound. Sometimes we execute well on defense. We just gotta put the whole thing together. We will."

The Astros' struggles have raised questions about their future and the possibility of becoming sellers at the trade deadline. While the team has stated that they do not plan to part with any of their best players, the mounting losses and increasing pressure may force their hand.

"No. No, I can't envision that," Astros general manager Dana Brown told MLB Network earlier Tuesday. "I think this team is too good. I think the production's coming. I can't predict any scenario where we become sellers."

For now, the Astros are focused on trying to turn things around. They have a tough schedule ahead, but they are hoping to find a way to get back on track before it's too late.

"We'll see what we're made of," Bregman said. "And who."