The Astros have clawed their way back to .500 at 55-55, and that alone keeps the door open in the AL West. With Yordan Alvarez carrying the offense in MVP-like fashion, Houston’s lineup still has a path forward - but the outfield remains a glaring problem.
That’s where the trade deadline comes in. ESPN’s Jeff Passan wrote Thursday that Houston’s biggest need is a left-handed hitting outfielder, and the fit that jumps out is Colorado Rockies outfielder Jake McCarthy.
“How Astros GM Dana Brown chooses to maneuver this deadline is one of the more interesting stories to unfold over the next four days,” Passan wrote.
“Though the expectation was that Brown would move multiple bats -- maybe even Peña -- with plans to contend, the Astros might not have the opportunity to do so,” he added. “They could finagle a trade with another team still in the race, but even that comes with risk.”
McCarthy, 29, has put together the best offensive season of his career in his first year with Colorado. He’s batting .293/.334/.491 with 10 home runs and an .825 OPS, and he’s added another layer with his legs, going 17-for-21 on stolen bases.
The split numbers are worth noting, too. McCarthy owns a .925 OPS at Coors Field and a .721 OPS on the road, but even that road production would still be an upgrade for what Houston has gotten from its outfield. With Alvarez no longer an everyday left fielder and the Astros’ outfielders ranking among the least productive hitters in the Majors, McCarthy makes a lot of sense as a deadline target.
In Other News...
Rockies Fans Wont Love Who The Padres Are Eyeing In The West
The Padres are still hunting for a left-handed bat, and the search has a familiar NL West feel to it. San Diegos lineup has been the weakest in the National League in left-handed slugging and weighted on-base average, which has pushed AJ Preller toward a move that could help balance the roster, with left field looking like the most obvious place to add.
For Rockies fans, the wrinkle is who has popped up in the conversation. Dennis Lin of The Athletic reported that Preller is interested in a left-handed hitter, and one of the names tied to that pursuit has spent his entire big league career in the division and is now wearing Colorado colors after coming over from Arizona. If the Padres keep pressing, the Rockies could wind up watching a rival try to solve a problem in a way that hits close to home. [Read more 🡒]
This Rockies Trade Deadline Ranking Says Something Brutal About The Roster
The trade-deadline conversation around Colorado starts with the uncomfortable reality that the most movable names are not exactly the kind of core pieces a team builds around. Antonio Senzatelas shift from the rotation to the bullpen has given him new life as a reliever, Mickey Moniak has rebuilt some value with a much better stretch at the plate, and veteran right-hander Sugano has enough early success and recent steadiness to at least draw interest from contenders. Even Chris Castro, with his versatility in the infield, fits the profile of a player who could make sense for a club looking for depth rather than a headline grab.
What makes the ranking sting is how much it says about the rosters current shape. Colorado can point to a few players who might bring something back, but the list also reflects a team trying to sort through pieces that have either redefined their roles or quietly become more attractive than they were a month ago. In that kind of market, every name gets a hard look, and the front office is left weighing not just who can help another club, but who still fits into the Rockies own long-term picture. [Read more 🡒]