The Houston Astros have been in the market for a left-handed hitter and a left fielder for the bulk of the season. With Yordan Alvarez down with an injury and his recovery taking a long time, including a setback, the Astros could look to the deadline to make a move.
According to a new report from Chandler Rome and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Astros are looking to add a bat to the roster and are targeting Miami Marlins slugger Jesus Sanchez as one such addition.
“The Astros,” Rosenthal and Rome report, “… also are in the market for a hitter. The names under consideration include Minnesota Twins infielder Willi Castro, Miami Marlins outfielder Jesus Sanchez, and Arizona Diamondbacks Jake McCarthy, sources said.”
Houston has dealt with more injuries than any other team this season, which includes All-Stars Jeremy Pena and Isaac Paredes. Jacob Melton and Jake Meyers have also missed significant time, though Melton is now back and healthy.
But the need in the outfield is still apparent, and Sanchez, a left-handed hitter who’s 27 years old and under team control through 2027, would be an interesting option.
MORE: Astros DFA fan favorite slugger, according to wife’s announcement
He’s hitting .257 this season with nine home runs, 76 hits, 11 doubles, four triples, 34 RBIs, nine stolen bases, 29 walks, and 68 strikeouts in 84 games. Sanchez has a .735 OPS and is striking out over six percent less than he’s done in his career.
The Marlins slugger would be an interesting option for Houston, as he’s fairly young, under team control, while also being a left-handed batter and an outfielder. He primarily plays in right field for the Marlins, but he could make the switch once in Houston.
Houston’s interest in Sanchez isn’t a total surprise. He’s a left-handed-hitting outfielder, one of the Astros’ most well-documented needs this season.
General manager Dana Brown has expressed his desire to add a lefty bat, and Sanchez could be such an option based on this report. The Astros are interested in him, and he’s under consideration for Houston as the deadline approaches.
MORE MLB NEWS:
