Houston Astros GM Sheds Light on Trade Deadline Strategy

With the trade deadline a month away, Houston Astros general manager Dana Brown still has his mind on adding a bat.

But there’s one player he’s unlikely to use to pay the price.

Brown talked with 790-AM in Houston on Wednesday and indicated the Astros are still interested in acquiring a left-handed bat with position flexibility. That appears to be his primary focus, though he did say he’s watching the pitching market.

The focus comes at a time when the Astros are starting to get good news on both fronts. Outfielder Yordan Alvarez is taking more swings as he recovers from his right oblique strain. Plus, first baseman José Abreu is quietly turning his season around. Through Wednesday’s game he’s slashed .292/.305/.517/.822 with five home runs and 19 RBI in June.

In the starting rotation, José Urquidy threw another bullpen and is closer to throwing a live batting practice sessions before going on a rehab assignment. The Astros hope to have both back sometime after the All-Star Break.

But their returns may not be enough in a competitive American League West and AL Wild-Card picture. That’s where a deal for a multi-position bat may come into play, though Brown didn’t indicate anything was imminent.

He also talked about what he was willing to give up — and what he wasn’t. Brown indicated that the Astros were willing to consider moving anyone. But there was one player that he said was nearly untouchable — outfield prospect Drew Gilbert.

One of the Astros’ top prospects, Gilbert is headed to the MLB Futures Game next month. The Astros’ farm system is a bit depleted after several players were called up to Houston, including pitcher Hunter Brown.

Brown didn’t say that there would be a full stop on dealing Gilbert. But, he did say he would not trade Gilbert for a player that the Astros wouldn’t have control of after this season. In other words, Gilbert wouldn’t be part of a rent-a-player deal.

The Astros wrap up a series with St. Louis on Thursday before starting a four-game series with the Texas Rangers in Arlington. The series gives the Astros a chance to make up some ground on the Rangers, who have been in the divisional lead every day this season.

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