Astros Trade Deadline Targets Include Moniak and Skubal

At Daikin Park in Houston, the Astros have climbed back into the American League race while weighing another busy trade deadline. A new report links Houston to help in two clear spots: the outfield and the starting rotation, two areas that could shape the club's roster in the final stretch before October.

The latest names connected to the Astros include outfielders Mickey Moniak and Jake McCarthy, plus starting pitchers Tarik Skubal and Jon Gray. Houston has dealt with injuries and uneven production in parts of the roster, so the front office appears to be surveying both controllable upside and short-term depth as the deadline gets closer.

Astros trade deadline board centers on outfield depth

Moniak and McCarthy represent two different types of possible outfield additions. Moniak has flashed power and athleticism, while McCarthy brings speed and defensive range. Either player would give Houston another option for the mix, especially if the club wants more flexibility around center and the corners.

That matters for an Astros team that has spent stretches of the season trying to patch together lineup balance. Houston does not need a headline move at every position. It may need playable depth, matchup options and a better floor on days when the regular lineup is thin.

The report does not suggest a deal is close. It places both players on Houston's radar as the market develops. That distinction matters in July, when clubs often check in broadly before narrowing down realistic targets.

Starting pitching remains part of Houston's deadline search

On the mound, the two reported names sit at different ends of the market. Skubal would rank among the biggest arms available if Detroit entertained offers, and the price for a pitcher of that caliber would be steep. Gray fits a more measured path for a contender that wants rotation support without gutting its farm system.

Houston's need for pitching help is easy to understand. Rotation depth gets tested every summer, and playoff hopefuls rarely reach the finish line with only the arms they had in May. A veteran starter can protect innings, stabilize a series and reduce pressure on the bullpen during heavy stretches of the schedule.

Skubal would represent an impact swing. Gray would look more like practical reinforcement. Both names signal that Houston is not limiting its search to one tier of pitcher.

Front office has options as deadline market takes shape

The Astros still have time to decide whether to push for a major move or spread their resources across multiple needs. Outfield help and rotation depth are not glamorous checkboxes, but both carry weight for a club trying to stay in the playoff picture.

Houston's next stretch of games should help sharpen that approach. If the Astros keep gaining ground, the urgency to add proven help could rise fast before the deadline clock runs out.

This article is a summary of reporting by The Crawfish Boxes. Read the full story here.