The Houston Astros are one of the hottest teams in baseball right now, heading into MLB games today holding the best record (18-7) in June. It’s pushed them atop the AL West and positioned them to be aggressive buyers at the MLB trade deadline next month.
USA Today‘s Bob Nightengale wrote Sunday that the Astros are “aggressively looking” to acquire a left-handed bat this summer. While the search is in its early stages, the club does have its eye on Baltimore Orioles All-Star outfielder Cedric Mullins.
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- Cedric Mullins stats (ESPN): .210/.295/.412, 12 home runs, 12 doubles, 38 RBI, 32 runs scored, .707 OPS in 238 at-bats
Mullins, age 30, is in the final year of his contract. While he carries an $8.725 million salary, any team acquiring him would be on the hook for less than half of that for the remainder of the season. However, the left-handed hitter has been struggling at the plate in recent months.
From May 2 through June 28, Mullins posted a .542 OPS with a .163/.201/.340 triple-slash line, striking out in 44 of 141 at-bats with just 23 hits and 7 walks. It pales in comparison to the .927 OPS with 6 home runs and a 25-20 K-BB ratio that he recorded in his first 97 at-bats this season.
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However, Houston is in dire need of a left-handed hitter. Yordan Alvarez remains sidelined indefinitely, with his injury resulting in the Astros’ lineup often consisting of eight or even nine right-handed batters. While Mullins is struggling at the plate, he’d still be an upgrade over the likes of Taylor Trammell (.250 OPS) and Cooper Hummel.
No deal is imminent, and Baltimore will likely wait to make any trades until much closer to the MLB trade deadline. With that said, it’s evident that the Astros’ front office will be very aggressive in July to ensure it acquires a left-handed hitter.
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