The Houston Astros are reportedly eyeing Padres right-hander Dylan Cease as their top target ahead of the trade deadline, according to a report from Ken Rosenthal and Chandler Rome of The Athletic. The Astros are also on the lookout for a bat, with potential candidates including Willi Castro from the Twins, Jesús Sánchez of the Marlins, and Jake McCarthy from the Diamondbacks.
Houston’s starting rotation has faced significant injury challenges this season, with key players like Luis Garcia, J.P. France, and Cristian Javier still recovering from previous surgeries. The team has also seen Ronel Blanco and Hayden Wesneski requiring Tommy John surgery, and Spencer Arrighetti suffering a fractured thumb. Adding to their woes, Lance McCullers Jr. and Brandon Walter recently landed on the injured list due to a blister and elbow inflammation, respectively.
Despite these setbacks, the Astros boast a strong duo at the top of their rotation in Framber Valdez and Hunter Brown. However, the depth beyond them has become a concern, prompting the team to seek out additional pitching options like Cease. Known for his durability—having made at least 32 starts in each full season since his promotion in 2019—Cease would bring reliability to a rotation in need of stability. His advanced metrics reveal that he has consistently performed well, despite facing some fluctuations in his earned run average, which currently stands at 4.79 this season.
Cease’s current contract, making $13.75 million this year, poses challenges for the Astros, who are trying to remain under the competitive balance tax. Owner Jim Crane’s previous willingness to exceed financial limits for star players could be a deciding factor in negotiations. However, the Padres, who are not in full sell mode, have interests in adding a left fielder, catcher, or prospects as they consider dealing Cease.
Unlike previous seasons, the Astros may find it harder to trade prospects due to a weakening farm system, which could affect their bargaining power. Nevertheless, recent trades have shown that strategic deals can yield positive results, and Houston might leverage their available players to secure the right deals.
In addition to bolstering their pitching staff, the Astros are also focused on enhancing their lineup, which has been impacted by injuries. Players like Alvarez and Meyers are currently unavailable, making the addition of a left-handed bat essential. Both Sánchez and McCarthy could fill this need, with Sánchez performing as a league-average hitter and McCarthy showing potential for improvement after a strong run in the minor leagues.
As the trade deadline approaches, the Astros appear positioned to make significant moves to strengthen their roster, aiming to maintain their competitive edge as the season progresses.