3 Most Likely Astros Trade Targets at the Deadline

The Houston Astros have been one of the American League's top teams throughout the 2022 MLB season, even if the run support hasn't exactly been there. The Astros boast an AL West-leading 41-25 record, with a 10-game divisional lead making them feel more than comfortable.

Even with the success that they've seen, the Astros still have room to improve. The other contenders around the league will likely try to improve as the trade deadline approaches and Houston shouldn't be an exception to that rule.

The MLB trade deadline is August 2, and these three players are the most likely to be targeted by the Astros before the first week in August.

Astros Trade Rumors

1. Trey Mancini, OF/1B/DH — Baltimore Orioles

If the Baltimore Orioles can't extend veteran Trey Mancini, the Astros should try their best to acquire him. His versatility to play first base and any outfield position will make him popular, as will the fact that he has six home runs, 25 RBIs and a .283/.364/.416 in 60 games. Bringing in Mancini should help fix a Houston offense that's averaging just 4.26 runs per game (No. 18). He's hit at least 21 home runs in each of his previous four seasons and would instantly become a fan favorite if he can do the same for the Astros.

2. Seth Brown, OF/1B — Oakland Athletics

Contending teams haven't been shy to add utility bench players before past trade deadlines, making Seth Brown a player that the Astros should look into. The 29-year-old Swiss army knife can play all three outfield positions, as well as first base, which is the type of player clubs love to have in case of injury. While he's only batting .210 in 64 games, he's also recorded a respectable nine HRs and 32 RBIs. He's far from the flashiest player, but Brown brings a solid left-handed bat to the bench that could come in handy when the intensity increases as the season rolls on.

3. Luis Castillo, SP — Cincinnati Reds

There can never be enough starting pitching added at the deadline. Cincinnati Reds ace Luis Castillo could certainly fill that need. Arguably his team's top trade chip, Castillo owns a 3.33 ERA and 1.087 WHIP through eight 2022 starts. He's been terrific at limiting the opposition's production, holding opposing batters to a .203 batting average and just 6.8 hits per nine innings. Given that he's arbitration-eligible for the 2023 season as well, acquiring Castillo would not only help the Astros immediately, but he'd help cement their contender status next year as well.

Devon Platana is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Devon Platana also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username PepeSilvia0. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.