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TAMPA, FLORIDA – JUNE 18: Cedric Mullins #31 of the Baltimore Orioles runs the bases after hitting a home run in the second inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at George M. Steinbrenner Field on June 18, 2025 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

The Houston Astros are preparing to strike ahead of the trade deadline — and they’ve zeroed in on a very specific need.

According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the Astros are aggressively pursuing a left-handed bat and has Baltimore Orioles outfielder Cedric Mullins on their radar.

With Yordan Alvarez currently sidelined, the Astros’ everyday lineup has leaned overwhelmingly right-handed. While Taylor Trammell and Cooper Hummel offer lefty and switch-hitting depth, neither brings the kind of proven track record or upside that Mullins does — even in a down year.

A former All-Star and Silver Slugger, Mullins is slashing just .210/.295/.412 across 66 games this season, but his profile still appeals to a team like Houston. He’s hit 12 home runs, driven in 38, and brings defensive versatility and speed that could complement a righty-heavy outfield corps.

Astros Could Use Offensive Help

The Astros’ interest comes at a moment of urgency. They’ve clawed their way back into postseason contention despite injuries and inconsistency and appear poised to be buyers as the July 31 deadline nears.

What they lack, especially with Alvarez out, is left-handed balance and everyday reliability in the outfield. Mullins fits that gap — not as a blockbuster acquisition, but as a potentially shrewd solution.

The Orioles, meanwhile, sit in last place in the AL East and may be forced to confront their timeline. With Mullins set to hit free agency this winter, Baltimore could look to recoup value now rather than let him walk for nothing in the offseason.

For a team stacked with young talent in the outfield pipeline, moving Mullins would open innings and opportunities for their next wave. His career OPS sits at .741, and at 30 years old, he offers both experience and positional value.

Mullins’ Fit Is Real

Mullins’ inconsistency at the plate has made him a divisive name in trade circles. His average and OBP have dipped, and his strikeout rate has crept up. But he’s still shown flashes of his All-Star form — with pop from the left side, strong defense in center or left, and base-stealing ability that fits Houston’s aggressive style.

He wouldn’t be expected to carry the offense — just to lengthen it. In a healthy lineup, Mullins profiles as a pressure reliever: a player who brings balance, speed, and contact potential at the bottom or middle of the order. With Alvarez’s timeline unclear and the Astros trying to maximize a tight window, that kind of role player may be exactly what they need.

Mullins won’t headline the deadline, but that may be where his value lies. He fills a specific hole on a team looking to round out its roster with experience and versatility.

If the cost stays reasonable and Baltimore’s front office is willing to listen, Houston could be an ideal landing spot — and Mullins could get a fresh start in a pennant race that needs his kind of edge.

Derek Hryn Derek Hryn is a writer for Heavy.com. He has extensive experience covering the NFL, NBA, MLB, NCAA football and basketball, along with providing expert fantasy football analysis for DraftKings and SB Nation. His work has been featured at Sports Illustrated, USA Today, NBC Sports, The New York Post, and others. More about Derek Hryn