MLB Rumors: Astros Interested In Diamondbacks Slugging Outfielder

Will the Sean Murphy blockbuster kick the trade market into high gear? Soon after that wild three-team deal went down, word emerged that the Houston Astros and Arizona Diamondbacks are talking trade.

The dormant trade market is finally waking up.
The Houston #Astros and Arizona #Dbacks have engaged in trade talks about Dbacks outfielder Daulton Varsho. The asking price remains steep.

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) December 12, 2022

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Astros are interested in D-Backs slugger Daulton Varsho. With the unusual combination of being able to play both the outfield and behind the plate, Varsho brings versatility along with his power. He mashed 27 long balls for the Snakes in his first full-time role in 2022, playing 151 games (114 of them in the outfield.)

And it just so happens that the Astros actually have two needs at this point, and Varsho could fill both of them in one fell swoop. They could be interested in him as both a left-field option to allow Yordan Alvarez to just DH, as well as a bat to add some punch in a part-time catching role as well. 

Arizona has a plethora of young outfielders on the rise, and are willing to deal from that strength. We reported earlier today on five teams that in on the bidding for one of those promising left-handed hitting OFers. 

In addition to Varsho, the D-Backs also have Jake McCarthy and Alek Thomas on the block, but top prospect Corbin Carroll is not available. Varsho will come at a very high price as well. 

Photo: Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK