The Houston Astros will prioritize adding offense ahead of the trade deadline, says general manager Dana Brown.

During an appearance on the Sean Salisbury Show, Brown said that while the front office is "always open to acquiring an arm," the club is "focused right now on a bat."

Brown also suggested the trade market has yet to really heat up, in large part because of the number of clubs that have yet to pick a direction.

Coming off a 101-win season, the New York Mets entered Wednesday with the highest player payroll in Major League history and a record seven games under .500.

According to a report, Max Scherzer would be open to waiving his full no-trade clause in the right situation, presumably a move that would send him to a team with true 2023 World Series aspirations.

Scherzer is in the second season of a three-year, $130 million contract.

The Colorado Rockies traded Mike Moustakas to the Los Angeles Angels over the weekend.

In return, the Angels sent minor-league right-hander Connor Van Scoyoc to the Rockies.

The move came not long after the Angels thumped the Rockies 25-1.

In the midst of a 10-game winning streak, the Cincinnati Reds are preparing to be buyers at this season's trade deadline.

"We're in first place. We're looking to win," general manager Nick Krall said.

Krall pointed to pitching as the area in which the Reds could improve most.

The Los Angeles Angels are highly unlikely to trade Shohei Ohtani if they remain in playoff contention this summer, general manager Perry Minasian said Tuesday.

Minasian didn't unequivocally vow he won't trade Ohtani, who is scheduled to enter unrestricted free agency after the season. But the GM underlined his season-long stance on the issue while strongly indicating he still intends to do everything possible to end the Angels' eight-year playoff drought -- and that includes taking the massive risk of losing their two-way superstar in free agency.

The Los Angeles Dodgers haven't pitched well this season, posting a 4.66 ERA as a team, which ranks 25th in baseball.

"We have not pitched well. There's really no sugar-coating it," pitching coach Mark Prior said.

L.A.'s rotation has a 4.38 ERA, while the bullpen is one of only two clubs allowing more than five runs per nine innings.

"In spring training, I did not expect that in July we would aggressively be looking for pitching," Andrew Friedman said. "With the injuries and where we are, I think that focus has shifted. There's no question that (pursuing pitching) is more likely than it was in March."

The Detroit Tigers have acquired right-hander Blair Calvo in a trade with the Colorado Rockies in exchange for cash considerations.

Calvo was designated for assignment last week to make room on the 40-man roster for catcher Jorge Alfaro.

To make room on their own 40-man, the Tigers designated righty Braden Bristo for assignment. Calvo has been optioned to Triple-A.

The Oakland Athletics have acquired right-hander Yacksel Rios from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for cash considerations.

Rios had signed a minor league deal with the Braves back in January.

The pitcher had a clause in his contract that required the Braves to add him to the active roster by June 19 or else trade him to a team willing to do the same. 

Rios, 29, had a 2.49 ERA and 30 strikeouts over 25 1/3 innings for Triple-A Gwinnett this season.

The Seattle Mariners have traded infielder Kean Wong to the Chicago White Sox.

Wong had not been on the 40-man roster, so he'll add some non-roster upper level depth for the White Sox.

Wong signed a minor league deal with the Mariners over the offseason.

The Miami Marlins have been monitoring the market for catching help with the trade deadline coming this summer, according to a report.

Miami sits seven games over .500 and in position of a National League Wild Card berth. They also sit just 3.5 games back of the Atlanta Braves in the NL East.