Astros general manager Dana Brown reveals firm trade deadline plans

With less than a week to go until the MLB trade deadline, the Houston Astros are looking to bring in some help to bolster their AL West-leading roster. Despite their strong 60-43 record, the Astros have some holes to fill.

They could look to improve their starting rotation, but in a recent piece from Chandler Rome in The Athletic, Astros general manager Dana Brown revealed that the team is "locked in" on adding a bat to the lineup.

"That said," Brown said, "I'm really locked in on the bat. If we can get a bat, it would be really good for this team, particularly a left-handed bat."

The Astros have been looking for a left-handed bat for some time, and while the need was apparent, this comment from Brown indicates how dire the need is. Houston is "locked in" on adding a left-handed batter, and there are a few positions it could work for.

With the injury to Isaac Paredes, the Astros could look to bring in a new third baseman. The team is also looking to add a second baseman or an outfielder, further increasing the team's options.

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Some of the top left-handed batters available at the deadline, other than Ryan McMahon, who was traded to the New York Yankees, are Baltimore Orioles' sluggers Cedric Mullins and Ryan O'Hearn.

Either would be a nice pickup for the team, with O'Hearn, the starting designated hitter for the AL in the 2025 All-Star Game, being the better pickup of the two.

Some other options are Colorado Rockies outfielder Mickey Moniak and Chicago White Sox outfielder Mike Tauchman. They aren't the top options on the market, but considering the Astros' weaker farm system, they'd be realistic trade targets.

While the team might not be spending big at the deadline, with the hope that their injured stars all can return, the Astros are going to pursue a left-handed hitter at the trade deadline.

Brown revealed that the team is "locked in" on adding such a player is a clear indication that the team knows how big a need a left-handed hitter is, and that they're planning to add one at the deadline this season.

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