The Houston Astros, after losing Jacob Melton, have a dire need in the outfield. Chas McCormick is hurt, and Yordan Alvarez is also dealing with an injury. The issues in left field have been lingering for the Astros in 2025. Making a change is something the Astros need to do.
With a clear need at the position, and not the most assets to move, there is one team that sticks out as a good fit for the Astros. That team is the Miami Marlins with their corner outfielder, Kyle Stowers.
Kenneth Teape of Sports Illustrated also identified the Marlins as a trade fit, with Stowers as the Astros' top target from the Marlins' outfield.
"Both are outfielders," writes Teape. "Which would give manager Joe Espada some flexibility and likely push Jose Altuve back to more regular playing time at second base."
Adding Stowers would be a nice addition for multiple reasons. Combined with the Astros plugging a hole in left, the Astros would also allow Altuve back to second base full-time. Stowers would be just the kind of addition the team needs, as they would fill a need, and at worst, provide depth at a key position.
"The front office and coaching staff have to figure out if that is the best route for the team to take with his diminishing impact defensively." Teape wrote. "Altuve wasn't making a positive impact in left field either, but does he hurt the team less with his glove in the grass or on the dirt?"
Teape's point of allowing Altuve to go back to second base is a huge reason why a deal for Stowers makes a ton of sense for Houston. Resolving the issues in the left field will also fix the issues with Altuve's defense.
Stowers is batting .276 in the 2025 season. He also has 62 hits, 27 runs scored, eight doubles, two triples, 10 home runs, 33 RBIs, 22 walks, and 73 strikeouts. His .807 OPS would also be the third highest on the Astros' active roster, and would become the highest among all outfielders on the roster.
Adding a player of Stowers' offensive caliber, who's also a solid fielder, would be a massive upgrade for the Astros to make. Also, Stowers is just 27 years old and has yet to begin his arbitration years, meaning the Astros would have Stowers through the 2029 season if they acquired him.
With a huge hole in the roster in left field, the Astros could acquire Marlins outfielder Kyle Stowers. The move would solve three issues: finding a starter in left, adding depth to the outfield, and moving Altuve back to second base. If the trade compensation is reasonable, the Astros have no reason not to acquire the Marlins' slugger at the MLB trade deadline.