This will be an unpopular opinion but if Houston thinks highly of melton and expects both Melton and Alvarez to be fully healthy by Sept 1, I don’t want them to spend resources adding a LH bat. Melton and Alvarez would give them 2 lefty bats in the lineup everyday, with a host of lefthanded bats available off the bench (Caratini, Hummel, Trammell, Salazar, Guillorme). I really like how Hummel has looked and consider him a fine backup plan if Melton doesn’t come back or pan out. I just don’t expect the price for trading for a good lefthanded bat to be reasonable, and for now I predict Houston adds somebody who doesn’t end up being much (if any) better than Hummel or Melton would be.
the biggest question though is if Yordan is coming back this season or not. they need to know the answer in a few weeks.
I can tell you with 100% certainty, the only people prioritizing left hand hitters is this fan base. The Astros want/need a player that hits right handed pitchers well. They don’t care about which side of the plate he stands on to do it. I’m confident they’ll look at a lot of lefty (and righty) hitters over the next couple of weeks to increase their offensive potency. A significant number of hitters they have had conversations about hit from the right side of the plate (some both).
If you can trade for a difference maker like Osuna then you trade Ullola. I see him as another Abreu which is very good, but a bat like Osuna can help win you championships. You take you chances and trade Ulolla in this scenario.
I have watched Dana Brown specifically say he is prioritizing a left handed bat on multiple occasions. He doesn't say " a bat" or " a 2B" he says " a lefthanded bat"
My worry is that they have no idea why he is having inflammation in his hand after his bone had healed. I'm hoping it's just some scar tissue that they need to break up.
they’re looking for a difference making bat. They are currently talking to teams about right and left handed hitters.
Im honestly fine standing pat and hoping the reinforcements come back from injury. We'll never build the farm system if we keep doing these 3-for1 rental trades. I wonder what the price would be for half a season of Cedric Mullins though? Doesn't hit for much average, but could be a run producer at the bottom of the order and play LF or CF. Colton Gordon for Cedric Mullins? Baltimore gets a strike-throwing starting pitcher who could give you 5IP on a lot of nights. The Astros get the left-handed bat thats eluded them all season. (Melton, Hummel, Trammel should be nowhere near the play come October.
He also has some of the absolute loudest tools anyone will ever see. With the level of talent he has, he isn’t likely to be overwhelmed by the pure stuff he would see in the post season. I don’t think he will be joining the Astros but I could see the appeal.
I think everybody understands the concept that Houston really just wants a player who can hit RHP. But typing lefthanded hitter is easier, plus the majority of players available who mash RHp will be lefthanded hitters. Players in the top 120 in the league against RHP (by wRC+) since 2023 (min 150 pa) who might be available: Marcell Ozuna Jarren Duran Josh Naylor Spencer Horwitz Wilyer Abreu Ryan O’Hearn Nathaniel Lowe Pavin Smith Masataka Yoshida Trevor Larnach Steven Kwan O’Neil Cruz Jesus Sanchez Eugenio Suarez Willi Castro Yoan Moncada Edouard Julien Gavin Lux Jose Miranda Mike Tauchman Bryan Reynolds Suarez and Ozuna are the only 2 righties in that entire list.
Wrong side of 30 and has like $15-16 AAV per year til 2029/30. I doubt the Pirates will eat a chunk of his contract to move him.
If I was an opposing organization I’d value every single starting pitcher on the Space Cowboys and Hooks that is under 26 as a top 50 prospect.
