Astros' $64 million World Series champion has 'no trade value'

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Are the Houston Astros buyers or sellers?

The front office may opt to buy. General manager Dana Brown is in the final year of his contract, and owner Jim Crane never wants to give up.

With less than a week remaining until the trade deadline, the Astros have a few players that could be on the move if they surprise everyone by selling.

Closer Josh Hader and shortstop Jeremy Pena are the two top names that could be made available.

Otherwise, some Astros have minimal trade value. Others have none.

The Athletic's Jim Bowden wrote Tuesday that a right-handed starting pitcher who won a World Series with the organization in 2022 has no trade value.

Astros' $64 million pitcher has no trade value

"I love your sense of humor and sarcasm. You know the answer," Bowden wrote in a response to a trade deadline question about Cristian Javier. "He’s not tradeable, has no trade value and is not getting traded."

Javier, 29, was a top-of-the-rotation arm for the Astros from 2021-23. But injuries have limited him to just 23 appearances over the past three seasons combined.

His five-year, $64 million contract, which expires at the end of next season, is not very desirable.

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The Astros would have a hard time finding a trade suitor willing to take on Javier's $12.8 million salary in 2027. He hasn't thrown more than 37 innings in a season since 2023.

His numbers from this season, which included a move to the bullpen, haven't been great. In 21.1 innings, Javier has a 7.17 ERA with 15 walks and 24 hits.

Bowden is right. The Astros are stuck with Javier.