The Houston Astros’ trade target at the MLB trade deadline is well known. General manager Dana Brown already revealed that the team is looking to acquire a left-handed bat.
In a report from Bob Nightengale of USA Today, those comments from Brown were backed up. Nightengale writes, “The Houston Astros are aggressively looking for a left-handed bat on the market, with eyes on Orioles center fielder Cedric Mullins.”
Houston, with a need in left field and for a lefty bat, could kill two birds with one stone in acquiring Mullins from the Baltimore Orioles. He has a history of being a solid slugger from the left side of the plate and is also a solid defender in the outfield.
Sliding him or Jake Meyers over to left field would round out the outfield, and also net the much-needed lefty bat that Brown is looking for. Nightengale’s report suggests that of the options on the market, the Astros would like to land Mullins.
While he hasn’t been his previous All-Star self this season, batting .210/.295/.412, Mullins could still provide a boost to the Astros’ lineup. Mullins has struggled this season offensively, but he’s still slugging the ball well.
He has 12 doubles and 12 home runs, making up nearly half of his hits this season. Adding a player like Mullins to the Astros’ lineup would be beneficial for both parties. The Astros land their much-needed lefty bat, while Mullins has the pressure taken off, as he’s no longer one of the most important bats in the lineup like he is in Baltimore.
Back in 2021, Mullins hit 30 home runs and was an All-Star. He put up 6.2 WAR, by far the best season of his career. While Mullins isn’t likely to match his All-Star campaign, he could be in line for a bounce-back if he lands in Houston.
The Orioles are a floundering team, trying to stay alive in the AL Wild Card race. But if they fall out, the Astros would likely be hounding the Orioles for Mullins. He fits two needs and would be the ideal addition. He’s in the final year of his deal and would be among the best rental options on the market.
Nightengale’s report is a great sign for the Astros fanbase. Not only is the team looking to add a lefty bat, but their ideal plan is to also resolve the left field issue at the same time. Mullins, a lefty slugger in his eighth MLB season, would be a solid addition to the Astros’ lineup if Brown can pull off a deal with Baltimore.
