The Astros have spent the last couple of years chasing the same missing piece: a left-handed hitting outfielder. They thought they had patched that hole when they brought in Jesus Sanchez at last year’s trade deadline, but that move never paid off in Houston. And even with 2026 underway, the search has not exactly gotten easier.
Mickey Moniak is the name most people jump to, and for good reason. But there’s a catch there too.
For a Houston team that is light on prospect capital, Moniak could wind up costing too much because of the extra year of team control. On top of that, it’s increasingly sounding like Colorado may just hold onto him past the deadline.
That opens the door for other possibilities, and one of them has now been pushed into the spotlight. The Athletic’s Jim Bowden identified Reds outfielder JJ Bleday as a perfect trade fit for the Astros.
Bowden’s track record is always going to invite some skepticism, but the fit he pointed to does make sense. Bleday’s .812 OPS in 2026 makes him look like an appealing target on the surface, especially with team control attached. At the same time, his production over the previous four seasons has been much shakier, and his hit tool still comes with real questions.
Even so, the price should matter here. Bleday’s extra two years of control will raise the asking price, but he still looks like someone Houston could realistically pursue.
That matters because the Astros are not working with a ton of flexibility at the deadline. Trading Lance McCullers Jr. did open up some money, but the club is still uncomfortably close to the luxury tax, and owner Jim Crane does not want to go over it this year. That narrows the field for Houston, which is why a lefty bat like Bleday starts to look especially appealing if Cincinnati is willing to deal at a reasonable number.
In Other News...
Another Former Astros Depth Piece Just Took A Surprising Turn
Braden Shewmakes latest stop in the majors did not last long after the Brewers brought him in from the Astros earlier this month in a cash deal. Milwaukee needed room on the roster once David Hamilton returned from the injured list, and Shewmake was designated for assignment as the club shuffled its infield depth.
Shewmake then cleared waivers and was sent to Triple-A Nashville, but his path did not end there. Because this was his second outright, he had the option to decline the assignment and move on, leaving the Astros former depth piece back on the market again as he looks for his next opportunity. [Read more 🡒]
Should Astros Fans Welcome Lance McCullers Back Again
Lance McCullers Jr. is back in the conversation around Houston again, and this time it is because the Astros may have another decision to make about a familiar arm. Houston dealt McCullers and Colton Gordon to Milwaukee on July 15 for infield prospect Jaydn Fielder, but the move did not give the Brewers much time to evaluate him before the situation changed.
For Astros fans, the question is less about the trade itself and more about whether a reunion makes any sense after everything that has happened since. McCullers has battled a long injury history, missed all of 2023 and 2024, and has been trying to find his footing again after a rough run of results, so any return would come with obvious risk even if the door is open for a minor league arrangement or non-roster invitation. [Read more 🡒]