Report indicates Astros could shove on starting pitching, polarizing outfielder
HOME RUN TRADE
18 July 2023
The MLB trade deadline is only two weeks away and the Houston Astros are looking to add to the club for the stretch run. Astros GM Dana Brown has stated that the team is prioritizing starting pitching, and also looking for a left-handed hitter.
According to a recent report from USA Today's Bob Nightengale, the Astros could address both needs with just one trade. Nightengale recently shared that the Astros have checked in on Cubs starting pitcher Marcus Stroman, and outfielder/Astros hater, Cody Bellinger.
Just adding one of these players could prove costly for Houston, as many other teams with better prospects will be looking to load up for postseason run. So if adding both players feels a bit too unattainable, and it does, which player/position should the team prioritize?
If it has to be one over the over, pitching feels like the more pressing need. Brown mentioned on the Astros flagship that a “home run” trade probably isn't in the cards, but they would like to be aggressive and execute a “double” in trade terms.
If the price of Stroman is too rich for the Astros, they could also shift their focus to White Sox pitcher Lucas Giolito, Cardinals' Jordan Montgomery, or Tigers' Eduardo Rodriguez. Tigers pitcher Michael Lorenzen could also be a smaller move that would improve the pitching depth.
Be sure to watch the video above as we address several options that might be a good fit for the Astros, and much more!
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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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