The Houston Astros went on a run to end the first half of the 2025 season. They finished with a 56-40 record through their first 96 games.
However, the second half of the season is now upon us. Their late surge in the first half helped them open up a five-game lead in the American League West, but there is still plenty of baseball left to be played.
The Astros have been hit hard by injuries this season, and they are going to need address some areas of the roster.
They could use a bat to boost their lineup. Zachary D. Rymer of Bleacher Report proposed the idea of Houston targeting Baltimore Orioles slugger Ryan O'Hearn.
"The Astros will need to get a bat before the deadline passes. They don't have a ton to barter with in this respect, but it also might not take much to land a Ryan O'Hearn or a Cedric Mullins," Rymer wrote.
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O'Hearn was named an All-Star for the first time this season, even starting as the designated hitter for the AL squad.
The 31-year-old slugger hit .286/.382/.458 with 11 home runs, 34 RBI and an .840 OPS in the first half of the season. With Baltimore out of contention, he'll be a big trade piece.
Houston doesn't have the strongest farm system, but if it doesn't take much to land a bat like O'Hearn, then it would be wise for them to jump on the opportunity to grab him.
The Astros stumbled a little at the end of the first half, but if they boost their starting lineup, they could very well find a way to bounce back and continue to run away with the AL West.
It will be interesting to see where Houston lands in its search of a bat.
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