MLB Rumors: Houston Astros "Extremely Aggressive" on 2 Huge Trade Targets

 

The Houston Astros have a 12-game lead in the AL West. They're basically home and free for a playoff spot. But this is not a team that sits on its laurels. They're after two of the bigger names available on the trade market.

According to MLB Insider Jeff Passan, the Astros have been "extremely aggressive" in looking to make deals for the likes of Washington Nationals slugger Josh Bell, and Chicago Cubs All-Star catcher Willson Contreras.

Bell makes a ton of sense for the Astros, on a number of fronts.

Josh Bell has a 144 wRC+ for the season with a 10.7% BB rate & 13.7% K rate. This dude is EXACTLY the kind of player the Astros covet. He gets on base, hits with power, rarely strikes out. He'd be a fairly big upgrade over Yuli. I am all on board with getting Josh Bell. #LevelUp

— Astrosbaseballislife (@Astros4me) July 25, 2022

First base is the one weak spot in the Astros lineup, where 38-year-old Yuli Gurriel is having a dreadful season, batting .234 with a .671 OPS and just 7 home runs and 27 RBIs.  

At nearly 10 years younger, Bell is having one of his best seasons, batting .302 with an .879 OPS, along with 13 HR and 51 RBIs. 

The Astros can certainly use Contreras behind the plate, and his All-Star bat would provide yet more length to their already impressive lineup. The 30-year-old catcher, like Bell, will be a free agent at season's end. 

Photo Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports