Astros exec reveals top trade deadline need with five-word answer

18 hours ago 1

The Houston Astros are heading towards the MLB trade deadline in a bit of an uncertain spot. While they want to be buyers, and are only 4.0 games back of the AL West lead, there is still time to wind up as sellers.

But, if they are buying this summer, what could this team look to acquire? While left-handed hitting outfield is a clear need, there's another issue that the Astros know they need to resolve.

USA Today's Bob Nightengale shared that one high-ranking Astros executive revealed the team's top trade deadline need with a five-word answer that was all about one issue: pitching.

Astros exec reveals top trade deadline need with five-word answer

"In the words of one high-ranking Astros' executive: 'pitching, pitching and more pitching,'" Nightengale shared.

While the Astros have more needs than just pitching, this executive answered the question of: "What are the Houston Astros looking for at the trade deadline?"

Their response makes it clear that Houston is eyeing pitching help this summer. Whether it's in the starting rotation or the bullpen, the Astros could use all the help they can get.

They traded Lance McCullers to free up $2.5 million in space, which leaves the team $12.5 million under the luxury tax threshold. That is enough room to land an expensive starter or reliever this summer.

Robbie Ray of the San Francisco Giants or Kevin Gausman of the Toronto Blue Jays are some intriguing options for the Astros if they look to buy an elite veteran starter.

MORE: Why Astros are trading Lance McCullers to the Brewers

Getting someone to pair with Hunter Brown, Peter Lambert, Spencer Arrighetti, and Tatsuya Imai in the rotation is key. Their current rotation isn't good enough for a postseason run.

The same goes for the bullpen, as even though Josh Hader is good, Bryan Abreu has struggled, and the rest of the relievers aren't anything to write home about.

The Astros' pitching staff has allowed 503 runs to score this season, which is the fifth-worst in Major League Baseball. This team clearly needs to add pitching help by the deadline.

Pitching help, whether it's the rotation or bullpen, is clearly the Astros' top need. This Astros executive made that clear with their five-word answer, as no other need is more pressing than their pitching staff.