Astros urged to add lefty slugger amid Yordan Alvarez' setback

Less than a month until the MLB trade deadline, and the Houston Astros have a clear need to address on their roster.

That need was apparent at the start of the season, but after the injury and setback to Yordan Alvarez, a left-handed batter became that much more of a need at the deadline.

According to MLB.com writer Brian McTaggart, the Astros need to land a left-handed batter in the wake of the Kyle Tucker departure and the Alvarez injury. Both absences have contributed to a severe lack of offense from the left side of the plate.

"... So the need to add a left-handed bat is paramount." McTaggart wrote. "Position flexibility will be key, especially if he can play some left field and second base, and perhaps even some first base."

A lefty hitter is the team's top need, and in an ideal world for McTaggart, that slugger would be able to play one of first base, left field, or second base. Fortunately, there's a player who is expected to be available who fits the bill.

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Baltimore Orioles slugger and 2025 All-Star starter Ryan O'Hearn would be a great fit for the Astros. He'd be able to play in left field, first base, and could be the designated hitter until Alvarez returns if needed.

Whether it's O'Hearn or another lefty hitter, the need is very apparent. General manager Dana Brown has expressed his interest in landing a lefty hitter, and with the Alvarez setback, that need is significantly more urgent.

McTaggart shared a wild statistic that showed how much of a need a lefty bat is for the team. The Astros have had 357 at-bats from lefty hitters this season, which is the fewest in baseball by a wide margin. The second fewest are the Los Angeles Angels with 681 at-bats from lefty hitters.

Houston needs a lefty hitter, and the injury setback to Alvarez made such a hole significantly more important to address. McTaggart's point is clear: the Astros need a lefty hitter, and the trade deadline is the time to land such a player.

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