
The Astros trade for Angels prospect Trey Cabbage. Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images.
Coming off a huge free agent signing of Josh Hader last week, we were wondering if the Astros were done making moves this offseason.
Astros GM Dana Brown recently said the team would have interest in adding another left-handed outfielder if the right situation presented itself.
“If we could somehow get a left-handed bat, preferably an outfielder with some speed, that type of package we’ll pounce on it.”
Apparently, opportunity knocked and the Astros answered. But not on the free agent market this time. The Astros traded for Angels IN/OF prospect Trey Cabbage on Wednesday in exchange for minor league pitching prospect Carlos Espinosa.
The Houston Astros have acquired IF/OF Trey Cabbage from the Los Angeles Angels in exchange for RHP Carlos Espinosa.
— Houston Astros (@astros) January 31, 2024
Cabbage is an older prospect that will turn 27 in May. He made his major league debut with the Angels in 2023. Cabbage hit .208 over 53 at-bats last season.
And while that doesn't sound all that promising, it's his Triple A numbers from last year that likely caught the Astros attention. Cabbage had a 30-30 season over 107 games in Triple A. He finished with 30 homers, 32 stolen bases, and an OPS of .975.
His position flexibility is another plus, not only can he play the outfield, he also played 58 games at first base last season.
As you can see from the highlights below and his minor league stats, the power in undeniable.
So what did the Astros give up in the deal?
The 22-year-old Carlos Espinosa pitched in Low A ball last season, going 4-5 with a 4.29 ERA. He appeared in 15 games and was signed as an international free agent from Cuba in 2022.
Jeremy Peña had a season-high four hits, capped by a tiebreaking RBI single in the eighth inning, to give the Houston Astros a 4-3 win over the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday night.
JP3 for the lead!!!#BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/YMcU3GzjBM
— Houston Astros (@astros) May 15, 2025
The Astros trailed by 1 when Zach Dezenzo singled with one out in the eighth and was lifted for pinch-runner Chas McCormick. Mauricio Dubón’s second double of the game dropped into the left field corner and scored McCormick, tying the game and chasing Michael Lorenzen (3-4).
DUBI TIES IT UP!#BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/lgwkhrX4iK
— Houston Astros (@astros) May 15, 2025
Carlos Estévez took over and Peña lined his third pitch into left field, sending Dubón home and putting the Astros on top.
Josh Hader walked one in a scoreless ninth for his 10th save after Bryan King (1-0) threw a scoreless eighth for the win.
Isaac Paredes homered for a second straight game for the Astros after his shot in the ninth inning Tuesday night lifted them to the 2-1 win.
Maikel Garcia homered and doubled as the Royals built a 3-1 lead.
Dubón’s first double came with one out in the sixth and he scored on a double by Peña to get the Astros within 3-2.
Houston’s Colton Gordon allowed seven hits and three runs in 4 1/3 innings in his major league debut.
Lorenzen yielded seven hits and four runs in 7 1/3 innings for the loss.
Garcia put the Royals up 1-0 with his towering home run to start the second inning. There were two outs and two on in the inning when Jonathan India then smacked an RBI double off the left field wall to make it 2-0.
The Royals had runners at first and second with two outs in the third when Jake Meyers robbed Hunter Renfroe of extra bases with a nifty catch on the track in center.
Paredes homered in the fourth before Garcia’s RBI double that bounced off second base and into the outfield pushed the lead to 3-1.
Isaac ➡️ Crawford Boxes#BuiltForThis pic.twitter.com/yIo7pklYL0
— Houston Astros (@astros) May 15, 2025
Key moment
Dubón’s RBI double in the eighth that tied it and chased Lorenzen.
Key stat
Peña has been great in 16 games since moving to the leadoff spot and has five doubles, three homers, 15 RBIs and 28 hits.
Peña caught up with Julia Morales after the game to talk about the big win!
The @astros take the series vs KC with a 4-3 win!
After the game JP3 spoke with @JuliaMorales pic.twitter.com/uppWfUeEZE
— Space City Home Network (@SpaceCityHN) May 15, 2025
Up next
The Royals are off Thursday and RHP Hunter Brown (6-1, 1.48 ERA) starts for Houston on Thursday night in the opener of a series at Texas with RHP Jacob deGrom (3-1, 2.72) on the mound.