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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Astros show signs of life in blowout win over Brewers
May 7, 2025, 3:25 pm
Framber Valdez pitched seven strong innings and Jeremy Peña homered and drove in four runs as the Houston Astros defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 9-1 on Wednesday.
Houston earned just its second victory in seven games to snap Milwaukee’s three-game winning streak and leave both teams with .500 records. The Brewers were attempting to sweep a series from the Astros for the first time since 2012.
The Astros led 3-1 before Peña broke the game open by delivering a three-run homer to left off reliever Elvin Rodriguez with two outs in the sixth inning.
JP3-run bomb. #BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/En0XXWdlt0
— Houston Astros (@astros) May 7, 2025
Valdez (2-4) struck out seven while allowing three hits, two walks and one run to earn his first win since the Astros’ March 27 season opener. He threw a season-high 101 pitches.
The Framchise is all business.#BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/J8EGGDk5gl
— Houston Astros (@astros) May 7, 2025
Milwaukee’s only run off Valdez came on Eric Haase’s fifth-inning homer, a 425-foot drive to center.
The Astros took a 1-0 lead off Quinn Priester (1-1) in the second inning as Jake Meyers hit a two-out single and scored on Zach Dezenzo’s double.
RBI double for Zach gets us on the board early! #BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/AilCY27A9d
— Houston Astros (@astros) May 7, 2025
The Brewers have lost all 13 games this season in which their opponent scored first.
Five-time All-Star closer Josh Hader worked the ninth while pitching in Milwaukee for the first time since the Brewers traded him in 2022.
Key moment
The Astros led 1-0 and had runners on third and second with one out in the fifth when Peña hit a bouncer to third.
Safe all day. #BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/OVjcvev7cM
— Houston Astros (@astros) May 7, 2025
The throw home beat Dezenzo to the plate. Home plate umpire Chris Conroy initially ruled Dezenzo out, but the Astros challenged the call and replays showed the runner slid home ahead of Haase’s tag.
Key stat
Valdez has now pitched at least seven innings an MLB-leading 57 times since 2020.
Up next
The Astros host the Cincinnati Reds on Friday. Scheduled pitchers are right-hander Hunter Brown (5-1, 1.67) for the Astros and right-hander Nick Martinez (1-3, 4.19) for the Reds.
The Brewers visit the Tampa Bay Ray on Friday. Left-hander José Quintana (4-1, 2.83) will pitch for the Brewers.
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