Astros carved up 2 of the NL’s best, but that’s just part of the story
WHAT LIES AHEAD
30 June
The Astros are heading to the Rockies! Composite Getty Image.
The Houston Astros closed out a powerful homestand with a statement series win over the Cubs, led by the continued emergence of Cam Smith and the lockdown stuff of Bryan Abreu. Smith, who seems to live for high-leverage moments, went toe-to-toe with Kyle Tucker and delivered again and again, further cementing his place in Houston’s growing offensive core. Meanwhile, Abreu was simply untouchable—striking out all four batters he faced in a lights-out appearance on Thursday and returning Sunday to toss two scoreless innings in front of Josh Hader’s 23rd straight save. The bullpen continues to impress.
As Houston heads west for a six-game road trip, starting with the Rockies and ending with the Dodgers, the rotation will remain under the microscope. On paper, the Rockies series should be a tune-up—Colorado owns the worst record in baseball. But even in a small three-game set, anything can happen. The Dodgers are a different animal entirely. They’ve been the class of the National League and pose a challenge that may mirror what the Astros saw from the Phillies and Cubs—but this time, Houston won’t have the advantage of home field. Considering the team’s elite pitching and recent play, the Astros should still feel confident, but they’ll need to prove they can sustain this level on the road.
Trade speculation is beginning to swirl, particularly around Baltimore’s Cedric Mullins. Mullins hasn’t lit it up this season—he’s hitting just .213—but his 12 home runs suggest some underlying pop. Houston may believe there's untapped potential in his swing that can be unlocked. It's a move that would fit the Astros’ track record: buying low on a talented player and letting their system do the rest.
Speaking of roster decisions, Christian Walker's bat is officially on watch. Despite showing flashes of life earlier this season, Walker hit just .221 in June and has been dropped to seventh in the lineup. Meanwhile, Jon Singleton has been crushing home runs in Sugar Land and waiting patiently for another big-league shot. The organization has to be thinking about giving Singleton a chance if Walker’s struggles continue.
But not every question has an immediate answer. Lance McCullers Jr.’s return from the injured list was rocky at best, surrendering eight runs in a short outing. Still, the reaction from fans calling for his release is premature at best and delusional at worst. Joe Espada left him in too long, and everyone knew it. It's still June, and McCullers is a proven postseason arm. He’s not going anywhere, not with that contract—and frankly, not with the upside he still offers.
More to the story
Then there's Jeremy Peña. The hope was that his sore ribs were nothing serious. That changed after the homestand, when further imaging revealed a small fracture and landed Peña on the 10-day IL. It’s a frustrating development, but credit the Astros’ medical staff for pushing for clarity—learning from the Yordan Alvarez situation this year. With superagent Scott Boras now representing him, it appeared negotiations were over. But Astros GM Dana Brown revealed on the pregame show this weekend that he’s already reached back out to Boras to reopen the conversation. Whether both sides can agree to new terms is a different story.
So while the Astros leave home riding a wave of momentum, the road ahead holds tougher matchups, key roster questions, and new injury concerns. They’ve shown they’re built to weather all of it. Now they’ll have to prove it.
There's so much more to get to! Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!
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The trade deadline is this Thursday, and Cedric Mullins could be available. Photo via: Wiki Commons.
With the trade deadline less than a week away, the Astros will look to become buyers to maintain their status as one of the best teams in baseball.
It's no secret that Houston is dealing with a myriad of injuries and could make a move or two to help offset their losses.
Astros general manager Dana Brown has already been on the record saying the team will be "prioritizing bats" to improve their roster before the July 31 deadline.
Last year, Houston needed a starting pitcher, so they acquired Yusei Kikuchi before the trade deadline.
This season is the opposite, for the Astros will be looking to add either an infielder or an outfielder to their lineup.
Players like Jeremy Pena and Yordan Alvarez are expected to return in August, but others, such as Isaac Paredes and Jake Meyers, may be out for an extended period. Thus, giving the Astros a need to upgrade both third base and their outfield.
Luckily, there are plenty of players the Astros could pursue to fill those voids.
Willi Castro
Recent reports have connected Houston with Minnesota Twins super utility man Willi Castro.
The 28-year-old is a versatile switch-hitter who can play multiple positions and would essentially be another Mauricio Dubon but with slightly better offensive numbers this season.
The Puerto Rico native has a .254/.342/.423 slash line and 10 homers in 331 plate appearances this year and could give Houston a much-needed consistent bat to help mitigate their offensive struggles.
With the uncertainty of Parades' injury, it would behoove the Astros to move Dubon to third base full-time and make Castro their new utility player if this trade were to come to fruition.
Eugenio Suárez
Multiple teams, including the Astros, have had conversations about acquiring third baseman Eugenio Suárez.
Recent reports have indicated Houston is interested in the 34-year-old slugger and may have the pieces to pull this trade off.
With the injury to Isaac Parades, the Astros need a third baseman to make up for his absence and production.
Suárez would more than fill the hole at third, as he is tied with Kyle Schwarber for second place in the National League in home runs (36) and could see his power numbers increase by playing more games at Daikin Park.
The Venezuelan native will become a free agent at season's end, so it shouldn't cost the Astros a king's ransom to acquire him.
Nolan Arenado
Another third baseman who has been on the Astros' radar is Nolan Arenado.
During the offseason, there was a deal in place to bring the Platinum Glove Award-winning player to Houston. Ultimately, Arenado used his no-trade clause to block the move, as it was indicated he was unsure of the Astros' future.
Fast-forward to July, and the Astros are one of the best teams in baseball, and the Cardinals are a team slightly above .500 with an outside shot to make the postseason.
St. Louis would be willing to move on from Arenado for the right price, and he would be an instant upgrade at third base for the Astros.
This season, the 8x All-Star has seen his offensive numbers decline, but continues to be one of the best defensive third basemen in baseball.
Similar to Suarez, Arenado could see his offensive numbers increase playing at the more hitter-friendly Daikin Park and would give the Astros an upgrade at third base while Parades is out.
Nonetheless, we might want to pump the brakes. According to a recent report from USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, Arenado is no longer being considered a trade option by Houston.
Cedric Mullins
Last month, reports indicated the Astros were in talks with the Orioles about acquiring outfielder Cedric Mullins.
The North Carolina native is posting career-low numbers this season offensively, but a change in scenery could be just what he needs.
Mullins has a career slash line of .249/.317/.423 and would give the Astros an upgrade in centerfield over what they currently have.
Houston currently has either Chas McCormick or Taylor Trammell in center. Mullins could step in and become the everyday center fielder and would likely move to left field once Meyers returns.
The 30-year-old shouldn't cost too much to acquire, for he will be an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season.
Given the Astros' long list of injuries, Mullins could be a much-needed depth piece to give them options in their lineup down the stretch.
Ryan O'Hearn
This season, Ryan O'Hearn is having a career year at the plate and was the American League's starting designated hitter at the All-Star Game.
The former Sam Houston State product will be sought after by multiple teams ahead of Thursday's deadline, as he plays on a last-place Orioles team and has an expiring contract.
O'Hearn would be a low-risk, high-reward rental player the Astros could utilize in the outfield, at first base or as their primary designated hitter until Yordan Alvarez returns and alternate the two in left field and at DH.
Acquiring the 32-year-old shouldn't cost too much and would give the Astros a consistent bat to add to their lineup.
Another starting pitcher
Houston is about to get some reinforcements when pitchers Cristian Javier, Spencer Arrighetti, Luis Garcia and J.P. France all return in some capacity from their rehab assignments.
Despite the influx of starting pitchers the team will be receiving, one can never be too safe, and the Astros could still be in the market for more arms.
Sandy Alcantara's name has surfaced in recent trade rumors and would be a dream acquisition if the Astros could acquire the former Cy-Young Award winner.
A more realistic option would be Mitch Keller from the Pirates.
The 29-year-old has a 4-10 record with a 3.53 ERA on a last-place Pittsburgh team that doesn't score a lot of runs (just look at Paul Skenes' run support numbers).
Keller is likely to be on the move before Thursday's deadline, and the Astros could also use another quality starting pitcher to bolster their rotation.
Other options could be Miami Marlins hurler Edward Cabrera or Sonny Gray from the Cardinals, just to name a few.
It is more likely that Houston will look to add position players, but it wouldn't be surprising if the team were to see what pitching options are available ahead of Thursday's trade deadline.
So long as Dana Brown makes the right moves and players return from injuries promptly, the Astros will be well-positioned to make another playoff run and remain as one of the best teams in baseball.
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