While the Houston Astros continue to find answers behind their recent slump in their season, they are prioritizing their needs on offense rather than adding depth to the pitching staff.
Houston has been plagued by a long list of players being placed on the injured list. Whether it's within their pitching rotation or in the batting order, they've been hit with injuries in both.
Top paid players like Yordan Alvarez, Lance McCullers Jr., and Christian Javier are all awaiting a return to the field, and Houston has made it known that they want to add players before Thursday's trade deadline.
However, it looks like Houston is determined to trade for offensive help even though their pitching staff is struggling to stay healthy.
According to The Athletic's Chandler Rome, the Astros are expecting multiple pitchers to return from injury soon, so offense is the main priority.
"The Astros are still prioritizing offense. Walter had been a godsend for Houston’s injury-depleted rotation, but the impending returns of J.P. France, Luis Garcia, Cristian Javier, and Spencer Arrighetti will help to offset his loss," Rome said in an article on Monday.
With the near returns of multiple pitchers, the Astros could be targeting a third baseman to fill the void that Isaac Paredes left after going down with a hamstring strain. It's been known that Houston is pursuing a much-needed left-handed bat as well.
A couple of trade targets that the Astros could pursue are the Minnesota Twins' switch-hitting utility man Willi Castro and the Arizona Diamondbacks' third baseman, Eugenio Suarez.