Why emptying Astros farm system isn’t only way to inject much-needed roster help
HELP WANTED
12 July 2023
HELP WANTED
Houston Astros GM Dana Brown has been on the lookout for some pitching depth and a left-handed bat to add to the roster as the trade deadline approaches.
While Cody Bellinger might not be the first choice of Astros fans, his defense and bat would provide a boost to the team's chances of making another deep playoff run.
But he won't come cheap, and Houston will have a tough time matching what other ball clubs can offer from their farm systems.
With that in mind, should the Astros consider adding some options to the mix that are already in the Astros system?
Be sure to watch the video above as we discuss some trade options the Astros should be looking at, and examine some Space Cowboy players like Jon Singleton and Justin Dirden. Could one of these players give the Astros a lift without having to make a trade?
Or, could the Astros have it both ways by trading for an arm and adding a bat from the minors? Or vice versa?
Click the video above to find 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.
The home run by Peraza.
It’s the fifth time the Astros have been shut out this month.
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.