'Main need' for Houston Astros at trade deadline remains elusive left-handed outfield bat

WASHINGTON – With less than a month until the Aug. 3 trade deadline, Houston Astros general manager Dana Brown pointed to adding a left-handed hitting outfielder as the team’s top priority.

“I’ve said it multiple times, we need a left-handed bat, because we need more offense in the outfield,” Brown said Tuesday at Nationals Park. “Lately our outfield has been swinging the bats, they’re showing some promise. But we’re going to need a left-handed bat. That’s going to be our main need.”

Entering Tuesday, Astros outfielders had combined for a .670 OPS, tied for the third-lowest in the majors. The lack of production prompted a shakeup of personnel last week as Houston optioned its opening-day center fielder, Jake Meyers, and left fielder, Joey Loperfido, to Triple-A Sugar Land and filled those roster spots with LaMonte Wade Jr. and Zach Dezenzo.

Houston has also recorded the fewest plate appearances by left-handed hitters in the majors this season, with Yordan Alvarez its only left-handed hitting regular. The need for outfield offense, combined with an established current infield group, makes the outfield a logical place to pursue a left-handed addition. Nor is that a new quest for Brown and the Astros.

At last year’s trade deadline, the Astros acquired Jesús Sánchez from the Marlins in an effort to bolster their outfield. Sánchez struggled down the stretch and Houston traded him this spring to the Blue Jays, offloading his salary and reacquiring Loperfido in the deal. Brown declared at the time the Astros were “not done,” but they made no further outfield additions before opening day.

Through 94 games, the Astros have started nine different players in left field and six different players in center. Loperfido and Zach Cole, two young left-handed hitting outfielders in their system, were unable to claim regular playing time and are now at Triple-A. Aside from Alvarez, Houston’s left-handed hitting outfield options currently are Wade and Taylor Trammell.

Trammell started the season at Triple-A and entered Tuesday with a .718 OPS in 118 plate appearances for the Astros this season. Wade was signed to a major-league contract in early June after opting out of a minor-league deal with the White Sox, reflecting the Astros’ search for left-handed hitting, and played in four games before a quad injury that sidelined him for nearly a month.

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Last offseason, and even into spring training, the Astros were linked in trade rumors to the Boston Red Sox, and their outfielders Jarren Duran and Wilyer Abreu, though no deal came to fruition. USA Today recently reported Houston has interest in two left-handed hitting outfielders from the Rockies, Mickey Moniak and Jake McCarthy, with last-place Colorado a likely deadline seller.

Brown hedged Tuesday that outfield help “could come from the minor leagues,” naming prospect Lucas Spence as a potential candidate for a call-up. Spence was promoted to Triple-A in late June and spent time in Houston’s major-league camp this spring, but he would not bring a track record of major-league production like an established trade addition.

“We’re not afraid to call (Spence) up if he continues to swing the bat and continues to play well,” Brown said. “But at some point, we want to add a left-handed bat that we feel can really increase our offensive production in the outfield.”

While Brown did not cite starting pitching as a potential pursuit, an argument for it could be made. The Astros still own the majors’ third-highest rotation ERA and optioned Mike Burrows, their staff leader in starts and innings, to Triple-A on Tuesday amid his first-half struggles. Tatsuya Imai, another of their five pitchers with double-digit starts, lasted 3 ⅔ innings in his outing Tuesday and has a 6.06 ERA.

Peter Lambert, Spencer Arrighetti and Kai-Wei Teng are Houston’s other pitchers with double-digit starts. Teng is on the injured list and being converted back to a relief role.

Hunter Brown, who recently missed two months to a shoulder strain, and Imai are the only members of the season-opening rotation currently in starting roles. Cristian Javier was moved to the bullpen upon returning from a shoulder injury, though he now seems a candidate to fill the rotation spot vacated by Burrows. Lance McCullers Jr. is still rehabbing from a shoulder injury.

If the Astros do not consider the rotation a trade deadline priority, it may be due to pitchers expected to return from injuries in the second half. Ronel Blanco could be one rehab start away from returning from Tommy John surgery, with Hayden Wesneski not far behind him. Javier is healthy. Brown acknowledged Tuesday that prospect Ethan Pecko could be considered for a second-half call-up.

Last year, the Astros eschewed adding rotation help at the trade deadline, citing reinforcements coming from the IL, so the idea has precedent. Tuesday, Brown sounded more open to pursuing bullpen help.

Closer Josh Hader’s return from a biceps injury has helped stabilize the back of Houston’s bullpen. Still, several of manager Joe Espada’s most trusted late-game relievers are left-handed in Hader, Bryan King and Steven Okert. Bryan Abreu’s first-half struggles dislodged him from a leverage role. Righty Enyel De Los Santos has pitched late in games but had an 8.74 ERA over his past 11 outings before Tuesday.

The Astros are “really excited” about the emergence of right-hander AJ Blubaugh, Brown said. Blubaugh has a 2.36 ERA over his past 30 outings, but he has pitched mostly in middle relief, often handling multi-inning appearances. Brown said that “if we can get some right-handed relief help, that would be great,” though he did not deem it a necessity.

King has held right-handed hitters to a lower OPS (.580) than lefties (.626) this season. Okert has more usual platoon splits but was holding righties to a .644 OPS entering Tuesday. A return to form by Abreu could solve the need, but he still sports a 5.90 ERA. Left-hander Bennett Sousa could return from the IL soon. Sousa has handled leverage outings but made just five appearances this season due to injuries.

“I’m not afraid to go with four lefties (in the bullpen) if that’s what it means,” Brown said. “We just need guys that can get both sides out, that’s the bottom line.”

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This article originally published at ‘Main need’ for Houston Astros at trade deadline remains elusive left-handed outfield bat.

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