MLB Insider Names Astros' Single Biggest Trade Priority Ahead of Deadline

Updated: Sep 10, 5:00pm UTC

Houston Astros fans have plenty to be thrilled about in the 2022 MLB season. Their team leads the AL West with a 52-27 record, 13.5 games ahead of the second-place Seattle Mariners. Barring a massive second-half collapse, chances are the Astros will be in the postseason once again.

Having said that, even the best teams can afford to upgrade their roster as much as possible. With the trade deadline approaching, one MLB insider is listing Detroit Tigers reliever Andrew Chafin as Houston's top target ahead of August.

Astros Trade Rumors

Though the Astros would like to make a big splash, ESPN's David Schoenfield says that Houston doesn't have the prospects to pull one off. Instead, it makes sense for them to bolster their bullpen with someone like Chafin.

The 32-year-old southpaw is having one of his better campaigns in 2022. He's pitched 23.2 innings over 28 relief appearances so far, recording a 2.66 ERA along with a 1.014 WHIP and 30 strikeouts. The Astros' bullpen already leads the Majors with a 2.62 ERA and adding Chafin to the mix would put them over the top.

He's not the biggest name on the market, but he's a reliable arm that Houston can have confidence in to lock things down in the seventh inning and beyond. Besides, Chafin is set to become a free agent at the end of the season, meaning the Astros likely won't have to overspend to land him.

Astros World Series Odds

Another World Series run is within the realm of possibility for the Astros and Chafin can help them get there. FanDuel Sportsbook currently has Houston available at +600 (No. 3) to win the 2022 championship.

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.