Houston Astros showing interest in this National League slugger, per report

ASTROS HOT STOVE

Houston Astros showing interest in this National League slugger, per report
Expect GM James Click to be active before the deadline. Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images.

The Houston Astros are coming off an impressive doubleheader sweep of the New York Yankees, but that doesn't mean they are going to sit on their hands with the trade deadline approaching. According to Andy Martino, he's hearing that the Astros have interest in adding 29-year-old Nationals first baseman Josh Bell to the mix.

Soon to be a free agent, Josh Bell, has put together some impressive numbers this year and could certainly provide some "juice" to the Astros lineup. Bell is currently slashing .311/.390/.504 with 13 dingers and an OPS of .895.

Bell would be a welcomed addition to the ball club, considering 1st baseman Yuli Gurriel's steep decline this season after leading the league in batting average in 2021.

Yuli is currently hitting .235 with an OPS of .671. Gurriel finished last season hitting a league-leading .319 and will be a free agent after this year.

Astros GM James Click has until August 2 to make some improvements before the trade deadline passes. You can check out some of Bell's highlights from this season below.



Most Popular

Raners defeat the Astros, 4-2. Composite Getty Image.

Josh Smith homered twice with four RBIs to lead the Texas Rangers to a 4-2 win over the Houston Astros on Sunday.

Smith had a two-run shot in the first and added another one with two outs in the eighth to push the lead to 4-1. It’s the first multi-homer game of the 26-year-old’s career.

The Rangers won the last two games of the series after dropping Friday’s opener 6-3. They also got a 2-1 victory Saturday thanks to Nathaniel Lowe’s RBI single in the 10th inning.

Jake Meyers cut the lead to 1 with a solo home run in the third but the Astros went 0 for 9 with runners in scoring position to fall to 50-46 entering the All-Star break.

Texas starter Max Scherzer allowed four hits and a run with six strikeouts in four-plus innings in his fifth start of the season.

Jon Singleton walked before a single by Jeremy Peña with no outs in the ninth. There was one out in the inning when Singleton scored on a groundout by Joey Loperfido to cut the lead to 4-2. Trey Cabbage grounded out to end it and give Kirby Yates his 16th save.

Ronel Blanco (9-4) permitted two hits and two runs with five strikeouts in six innings. He settled down after his tough first inning and retired the last 12 batters he faced.

Marcus Semien singled to start the game but was out at second when Corey Seager grounded into a foreceout. Smith gave the Rangers an early lead with his towering shot to the second deck to make it 2-0.

Meyers opened Houston’s third with a shot to the seats in left field to cut the lead to 2-1. Jose Altuve singled with two outs and stole second base but Scherzer struck out Alex Bregman for the third out.

The Astros had a shot to tie it or take the lead in the fifth. Peña and Meyers both singled before Loperfido walked to load the bases with no outs in the inning and chase Scherzer. Josh Sborz (2-0) took over and escaped the jam by striking out Mauricio Dubón before retiring Altuve on a pop up and Bregman on a groundout to end the inning.

Seager walked with two outs in the eighth before Smith connected again to give him 10 home runs this season.

Altuve reached on a fielding error by Smith with one out in the eighth before Bregman singled off José Leclerc. Jacob Latz took over and struck out Yordan Alvarez before Yainer Diaz grounded out to leave Houston emptyhanded again.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Rangers: 3B Josh Jung (fractured right wrist) swung 15 times off a tee using a regular bat Sunday. Manager Bruce Bochy said he would continue increasing his activity during the break as he nears a rehabilitation assignment.

Astros: RHP Justin Verlander (neck discomfort) threw a bullpen session of 25 pitches Sunday. Manager Joe Espada said he looked “really good” and would throw another bullpen session during the break.

Most Popular

SportsMap Emails
Are Awesome

Listen Live

ESPN Houston 97.5 FM