The Astros have once again asserted their dominance in the AL West, leading the division with a 50-34 record. But beneath the surface lies a growing concern. With their lefty Yordan Alvarez sidelined, the team now lacks a reliable left-handed power hitter in the lineup. That’s a missing link that may become a glaring issue as the season progresses.
Now, this is where the Orioles enter the picture. According to the growing trade buzz, the Astros may be setting their sights on a lefty slugger from Baltimore. And as the July 31 trade deadline looms, speculations are rife that this trade may materialize fast.
The player we are talking about is Cedric Mullins!
“The Houston Astros are aggressively looking for a left-handed bat on the market, with eyes on Orioles center fielder Cedric Mullins,” Astros insider Michael Schwab wrote on X, quoting Bob Nightengale.
“The Houston Astros are aggressively looking for a left-handed bat on the market, with eyes on Orioles center fielder Cedric Mullins,” from @BNightengale.
That would be huge if they can land him but what would it take?
— Michael Schwab (@michaelschwab13) June 29, 2025
For the unversed, Mullins is a left-handed slugger who can play all three outfield spots. So, he can give the Astros both defensive flexibility and a much-needed lefty presence in the lineup. While his hitting average of .213 for the season sounds below-par, he has already launched 12 home runs and driven in 39 runs. That puts him on track for his best power numbers since his All-Star year in 2021.
For the Astros, who are currently tied for the 15th spot in MLB with 90 home runs, Jose Altuve, Jeremy Pena, and Chas McCormick all bat right-handed. Now, that imbalance is why the Astros’ GM, Dana Brown, has openly acknowledged the need for a left-handed slugger.
Moreover, there’s also the matter of left field, where the Astros have struggled to find consistent production. So, a player like Mullins could solve two problems at once, offering a left-handed batting option with some power and the ability to play all three outfield spots.
However, the question is —would the Orioles agree to trade Mullins?
Well, Mullins is set to become a free agent at the end of this season. And with the Orioles unlikely to hit the postseason this year, it’s probable that they will trade the slugger. But he is not going to come cheap mid-way through the season. Any team looking to land him would probably have to give up a couple of decent prospects.
Now, that would give the Orioles another chance to strengthen their already solid farm system. But it’s a trade that the Astros desperately need. And they need some more!
The Astros’ pitching lineup also needs reinforcements
Well, it’s not just their slugging unit, but the Astros’ pitching may also do with some external help. Currently, the Astros’ team ERA sits at 3.52, ranking 7th in the league. It’s respectable, but not exactly dominant, and it doesn’t fully capture the concerns around their pitching depth. With Luis Garcia still on the shelf and Spencer Arrighetti yet to make his return, the rotation remains thin.
Considering their aim to get the better of the AL Pennant this year, the Astros would likely need to outbid other contenders for at least one more reliable starter. While they are aggressively looking for Mullins, a similar approach is needed to fill the gap in their pitching.
According to Jeff Passan of ESPN, Marlins’ Sandy Alcantara could be a good fit for the Astros. Having recovered well from T.J. surgery, the former Cy Young winner is steadily showing his worth to the team. Alcantara is going 2.74 ERA from 4 starts this month, and enough for the Astros to go for him. Seth Lugo of Kansas City Royals might be another name the Astros would like to consider.
With October dreams on, pitching reinforcement is the need of the hour for the Astros, along with a left handed slugger.
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