3 Sneaky Trades the Astros Can Make to Put Pressure on the Yankees in the AL

Once again, the Houston Astros and New York Yankees are set to duke it out for AL supremacy, with the Yankees just 1.5 games ahead of Houston in the chase for the No. 1 seed in the MLB postseason. With the Yankees destined to at least add one big pitcher at the deadline, the Astros should look to make one of these three moves to both take a trade target away from the Yankees and make them sweat just a little bit harder.

3. Reds RP Amir Garrett

The Reds bullpen has been an infinite well of nothingness ever since Aroldis Champan was traded away, but they may have found something in Garrett, a former top prospect who has reinvented himself as a top left-handed reliever. The struggles of Josh James and Hector Rondon have made reliever a need for the Astros, and Garret represents a young option with electric stuff that could help the Astros in their playoff push.

2. Rangers SP Mike Minor

The Rangers may not love the idea of trading Minor to a division rival, but Houston's loaded farm system could force their hand. With 6.0 WAR, a 2.86 ERA, and an All-Star nod, Minor is likely to command a hefty price tag. However, if the Astros are willing to part with one of their better prospects in the minors, they'll end up with some much-needed rotation help that would make an excellent No. 3 starter behind Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole.

1. Diamondbacks SP Zack Greinke

Now that we know Yordan Alvarez isn't going anywhere following his hot start, a move for Greinke would certainly require either Forrest Whitley or Kyle Tucker to pull off. However, Greinke remains the most experienced option left on the market, and has put together another All-Star campaign. A playoff rotation in which most of the innings will be eaten up by Verlander, Cole, and Greinke is enough to spell doom for the Yankees and the rest of the AL.