Astros open to trading outfielder

The potential lack of sellers in the trade market is prompting executives to explore alternative solutions. Astros general manager Dana Brown, for example, is looking into exchanges of major-league players that would help both his club and a fellow contender fill respective needs.

The Astros, under previous GM James Click, made such a deal at the 2021 deadline, sending outfielder Myles Straw to Cleveland for reliever Phil Maton and catcher Yainer Diaz, who was then a minor leaguer. Brown is open about again trading an outfielder. The Astros have three who bat right-handed, Chas McCormick, Jake Meyers and Corey Julks.

“We’re exploring trading major-league player for major-league player with teams that are contending that make sense,” Brown said. “We have a lot of outfielders right now. If we could move an outfield piece for something that could fill another need, we probably would be interested in doing that. Player for player? Yeah. We have to get creative to open up the market. We’re definitely exploring that.”

The Yankees had previous interest in McCormick, according to major-league sources who were granted anonymity so they could speak candidly. McCormick’s opposite-field power would appear ideal for the short right-field porch at Yankee Stadium. The teams, however, never got close on a deal.

Brown, comfortable with the performances of his young starting pitchers, identified “a bat” as the Astros’ biggest need. Michael Brantley, recovering from right shoulder surgery, is expected back around the All-Star break. The same goes for Yordan Alvarez, who is dealing with a right oblique strain.

The Astros, five games back in the AL West but only a half-game out in the wild-card race, begin what could prove a telling four-game series against the Rangers in Arlington on Friday night. Brown, who was the Braves’ scouting director before joining the Astros in January, dismissed any notion of bolstering his thin farm system by trading off veteran parts.

“I can’t see any scenario where we sell,” Brown said. “The thing I keep remembering is last year in Atlanta, we were 10 back and we ran the Mets down. I have no interest in selling, zero.

Per Ken Rosenthal at The Athletic