Astros named favorites to land versatile A's infielder at trade deadline

Surprise, surprise, the Houston Astros are leading the American League West right now. 

The team has a comfortable five game lead over the Seattle Mariners in the standings, boasting a 56-40 record. 

But there is still some improvement that the team needs to make if they want to take a step closer at guaranteeing a third Commissioner's Trophy coming to Space City. 

Their second baseman. 

If Jose Altuve continues to take reps in the outfield, then the team still needs a reliable "4" on the chart. 

And even if Altuve is the everyday second baseman, a backup would still be nice to have in case the future Hall of Famer is injured or decides to hang up the cleats. 

According to Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report, that solution could lie within Athletics second baseman Luis Urias, who just signed a one-year deal with the ball club over the most recent offseason after spending last year in the AL West with the Mariners. 

Urias hasn't put up Silver Slugger-worthy numbers, only seven homers, 18 runs batted in, and a .239 batting average, but his defense is mainly what is needed, as the Astros already possess enough power in their lineup with Isaac Paredes and the awaiting return of designated hitter Yordan Alvarez, and Urias will bring have the defense in spades. 

Urias debuted in the MLB in 2018 with the San Diego Padres, before spending the next four years afterwards with the Milwaukee Brewers.