CONFIRMED DEAL: According to various sources this evening, the  Houston Astros  have unexpectedly announced the astonishing top-class Secord baseman’ departure to the Philadelphia Phillies on a $245.5 million, five-year contract.

Astros have ‘talked’ to Mets about trade for two of their stars

The New York Mets’ recent hot stretch hasn’t stopped teams from contacting them about some of their players leading into the July 30 trade deadline.

According to The Athletic’s Jim Bowden in a story published Thursday, the Astros eye two of the Mets’ most important players.

Astros GM Dana Brown has made it clear to other front offices that he’s focused on adding a veteran starter and an impactful long- or short-term solution at first base. He’s talked to the Mets about Luis Severino and Pete Alonso …

Bowden, the former Cincinnati Reds and Washington Nationals general ma

nager, said that the Astros have reached out to other teams about first basemen and starting pitchers, too.

While the 46-45 Mets are a half-game out of the wild card entering Thursday’s game against the Nationals, Bowden said that the Mets were “keeping an open mind” about their deadline strategy, though it seems Alonso, a free agent in the offseason, will be staying. Mets president of baseball operations Stearns reiterated as much with reporters Tuesday after the Mets acquired reliever Phil Maton from the Tampa Bay Rays when he said the next two-plus weeks will “determine” the approach.

Severino has resurrected his career during his one-year pact with the Mets — albeit with fewer strikeouts and more ground balls — with a 3.78 ERA in 109 2/3 innings, the most since 2018 when he pitched 191 1/3. New York cannot afford to trade him and act like it is trying to contend unless a viable starting pitcher comes back.

Alonso is not setting himself up for the massive long-term contract he expected entering this season, his .240/320/.454 line with 18 home runs and 48 RBIs worth a 122 OPS+, his worst since the 2020 season. But he is a fixture in the middle of the order and a lineup that sports a 113 wRC+, the fifth-best in baseball, with a 135 wRC+, second-best in baseball, since June 1.

After last season’s debacle that necessitated a firesale, it seems unlikely the Mets would subtract by July 30. Their play until then will dictate that decision.