The Houston Astros are calling around ahead of the August 3 trade deadline. And they’re not just looking for one piece. According to a report from Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the team is targeting outfielders Mickey Moniak and Jake McCarthy from the Colorado Rockies while also planning to enter the mix for pitchers Tarik Skubal and Sonny Gray.
Moniak and McCarthy make sense as outfield targets. The Astros have been searching for consistent production in the grass all season. Moniak, the former No. 1 overall pick, has shown flashes but hasn’t put it all together yet. McCarthy is a speed-and-defense guy who could slot into a platoon role. Neither is a star, but both are young enough that a change of scenery might unlock something.
The bigger names here are Skubal and Gray. Skubal is drawing interest from basically every contender. He’s been dominant for Detroit and would cost a fortune in prospects. Gray, on the other hand, is having a strong year for a Boston team that’s been a disappointment. The Red Sox might be willing to move him if the price is right. Houston has the prospect capital to make a deal, but it’s not clear they want to empty the farm for a rental.
The Astros sit at 44-47 right now. That’s not good. But the AL West is weak enough that they’re only two and a half games behind Seattle. It’s not a massive gap. They’re still very much in it. A couple of smart moves could completely change the trajectory of their season.
Offensively, the team has been carried by Yordan Alvarez. He was just named an All-Star and will start as the American League’s designated hitter. His manager Joe Espada summed it up simply.
“Other managers watch him in the on-deck circle,” Espada said, per MLB.com. “He’s a threat and he’s not even in the batter’s box. That’s how good he is. The impact he has in our lineup, just having Yordan in there and the fact he’s going to have four or five opportunities that day to hit is game changing. He’s that good. He’s that big of a threat.”
The Astros play the Rays on Sunday. After that, the clock keeps ticking toward the deadline. What they do in the next week and a half could define the second half of their year. Adding an outfielder seems like the minimum. Chasing Skubal or Gray would be a statement. We’ll see which direction they go.
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