Astros Pursue Pitching, Power Bat Before Deadline

The Houston Astros, leading the AL West with a 55-38 record, are aggressively seeking a veteran starting pitcher and a left-handed power bat at the MLB trade deadline to bolster their roster for a postseason run. Significant injuries and the departure of Kyle Tucker have heightened these needs. Kansas City Royals' ace Seth Lugo, boasting a 2.67 ERA over 17 starts, is a primary trade target to join Framber Valdez and Hunter Brown in the rotation. On offense, Baltimore Orioles' All-Star Ryan O'Hearn, valued for his positional flexibility and production, is seen as an ideal addition. Despite a thin farm system, the Astros plan to pursue these upgrades while also targeting college hitters like Jace LaViolette and Gavin Kilen in the MLB Draft to address future needs at center field and second base. The front office's aggressive approach reflects their commitment to sustained World Series contention.