The Houston Astros have surged to the top of the American League leaderboard with a little over two weeks to go before the 2025 Major League Baseball All-Star Game.
The Astros’ lineup is predominantly overrun with right-handed hitters, with backup catcher Victor Caratini and outfielder Cooper Hummel being the club’s two switch hitters. Taylor Trammell, Luis Guillorme, and Cesar Salazar are the only lefty swingers on Houston’s active roster.
They may need more thump from the left side of the batter’s box, and they may find it from teams falling out of the postseason race.
MLB Insider Reports Astros’ Interest in Orioles’ All-Star
On Sunday, USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported the Houston Astros have shown interest in Baltimore Orioles outfielder Cedric Mullins. Nightengale did not mention whether the two clubs have discussed a potential deal or if Houston is seriously considering the eight-year veteran.
“The Houston Astros are aggressively looking for a left-handed bat on the market, with eyes on Orioles center fielder Cedric Mullins,” wrote Nightengale. Mullins, 30, is a free agent at season’s end after signing a one-year, $8.73 million contract to stay with the Orioles this year.
MLB Trade Rumors’ Mark Polishuk reports this is not the first indication that the Astros have shown interest in adding a left-handed bat.
“Astros general manager Dana Brown has been open about his desire to add some left-handed hitting to Houstonâs predominantly righty-swinging lineup, and it isnât any surprise that the club reportedly has some interest in a player who may be one of the deadlineâs most intriguing rental bats,” wrote Polishuk.
In 67 games, Mullins owns a -0.5 bWAR, with a .213/.295/.413 slash line, a .708 OPS, and 12 home runs in 272 plate appearances. Despite a low contact rate and high strikeout percentage, Mullins is a somewhat reliable power hitter and plays above-average defense in center field. He lacks a powerful throwing arm, falling in the 50th percentile among qualified MLB outfielders.
How Mullins Can Help the Astros… and the Orioles
While Mullins plays center field with the Baltimore Orioles, that spot is occupied by the Houston Astros’ Jake Myers.
“Since Jake Myers is one of the gameâs better defensive center fielders, the Astros almost certainly wouldnât be using Mullins up the middle anyway. Rookie Cam Smith has made a very solid accounting for himself in his first MLB season, so left field would be the likeliest landing spot if Mullins did indeed end up in Houston,” wrote Polishuk.
“The chain reaction here would probably send Jose Altuve back to his old second base spot on a full-time basis, as Altuveâs glove hasnât adjusted well to the move to left field this season.”
Sending Altuve back to second base and inserting Mullins in left would improve the Astros’ defense tremendously. Adding Mullins to the roster would also help manager Joe Espada balance the lineup slightly.
For the Orioles, they have yet to wave the white flag on the season, but could do so in the coming weeks if things don’t go their way. Gaining a prospect or player or two in a deal involving Mullins might be Baltimore’s best option if they believe he will depart in free agency this winter.
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