Overview

• Houston acquired All-Star shortstop Carlos Correa from the Minnesota Twins to bolster its offense before the trade deadline.
• Injuries to key starters have left the Astros’ rotation depleted even as they maintained a 62-47 record and five-game lead in the AL West.
• Sources say Houston has prioritized cost-controlled ace Sandy Alcantara and high-strikeout right-hander Dylan Cease as its top pitching targets.
• Insiders report the Astros are “working hard” to land Cease but face stiff competition from other suitors and no deal is currently close.
• Front office urgency is intensified by Framber Valdez’s impending free agency and the need for sustained rotation depth.