Some controversial trade targets could be in consideration for Houston Astros
DEADLINE DEALS
21 June 2023
The Houston Astros are currently going through a rough patch and the team could use a boost to the offense with Yordan Alvarez out for the next several weeks.
According to reports, the Astros may be looking to add a left-handed bat to the lineup, and three names have been thrown out that the team may consider.
MLB Trade Deadline update: Source confirms Astros are looking at left-handed bats. In today’s @MLBNetwork segment, I identified one potential acquisition who just played against Houston. @MLBNetworkRadio pic.twitter.com/HYl5Ylo4l4
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) June 16, 2023
Cubs OF Cody Bellinger, Nationals OF Corey Dickerson, and A's 1B/OF Seth Brown are some names that might make sense for Houston. Ideally, Michael Brantley could fill this role for the team, but he still hasn't returned from his shoulder injury and the team may be concerned that he won't make it back fully healthy.
Astros fans would definitely take issue with Houston hater Bellinger, but he's not the only player fans would scoff at. Former Yankees closer and current Royals reliever Aroldis Chapman could also been in play. The Royals will likely be sellers with a 20-53 record and Chapman currently has a 2.84 ERA.
Plus, the team could use some bullpen help, with Ryan Pressly not being as dominant this year, and Rafael Montero having a disastrous season to date.
So which player would Astros fans rather have if they had to pick one, Bellinger or Chapman?
Don't miss the video above as we lay it all out.
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José Soriano and two relievers combined for a two-hitter and Oswald Peraza hit his first home run since a trade from the Yankees to lead the Los Angeles Angels to a 3-0 win over the Houston Astros on Sunday.
Soriano (10-9) allowed one hit and struck out eight in seven innings. Luis García allowed one hit in a scoreless eighth and Kenley Jansen threw a perfect ninth for his 25th save.
There were two outs in the fifth when Peraza connected off Hunter Brown (10-7) into the bullpen in right-center field to put the Angels up 1-0. His homer comes after his two-run single in the ninth inning Saturday helped Los Angeles to a 4-1 victory that snapped a three-game skid.
Yoan Moncada walked to start the eighth and scored on Mike Trout’s double that bounced off the wall in center field to make it 2-0. Taylor Ward walked before Luis Rengifo reached and Trout scored on an error by Lance McCullers Jr. when the pitcher overthrew first base.
Yordan Alvarez singled with no outs in the first and Soriano walked a batter in the second and sixth innings. The Astros didn’t get another hit until Ramón Urías doubled with one out in the eighth inning. Los Angeles outfielder Taylor Ward was injured trying to make a catch on that hit when he crashed face-first into the metal scoreboard in left field.
He was carted off the field holding a towel to the right side of his face. He was taken to a hospital by ambulance where interim manager Ray Montgomery said he would receive stitches to close the cut and be evaluated.
Brown allowed three hits and a run with five strikeouts in six innings. McCullers Jr. allowed three hits and two runs in his first relief appearance since 2018.
Key moment
The home run by Peraza.
Key stat
It’s the fifth time the Astros have been shut out this month.
Up next
LHP Yusei Kikuchi (6-9, 3.68 ERA) will start for Los Angeles in the series finale Monday against RHP Luis Garcia, who’ll make his return after sitting out since May 2023 recovering from Tommy John surgery.
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