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Report: Houston Astros to acquire Trey Mancini from Baltimore Orioles

IMG_0985by:Griffin McVeigh•08/01/22•

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Scott Taetsch / Stringer PhotoG/Getty

One of the more intriguing markets as the MLB trade deadline approaches was at first base. There were a couple of big names available, with one being Baltimore Orioles star Trey Mancini. Considered a fan favorite at Camden Yards over the past few years, he will now be on the move but will stay within the American League.

According to Dan Connolly of The Athletic, Mancini has been traded to the Houston Astros. Although Houston has a sizable lead in the AL West, winning the World Series was always going to be the goal for manager Dusty Baker and company. Adding a right-handed bat such as Mancini will give a huge boost to their already stacked lineup.

In 92 games this season, Mancini has spent most of his time as the designated hitter while also playing first base and making the occasional appearance in the outfield. He has a solid .751 OPS throughout the year, mashing 10 home runs and driving in 41 runs.

Mancini has been someone Baltimore has been able to rally around since his return to baseball. He missed the entire 2020 season after being diagnosed with cancer. He was able to beat the disease and returned to play during the 2021 season. While not a whole lot has been going well on the field for the Orioles over the past few seasons, Mancini has been a huge inspiration. Now, he will hope to bring the same with him to Houston.

Yuli Gurriel has spent this year as the Astros’ first baseman but has been struggling at the plate. His OPS is under .700 and has just seven home runs. Simply put, last season’s batting champ has not been as productive at the plate and Houston decided to get an extra bat in there with Mancini.

Jeff Passan of ESPN laid out the entire trade, with Houston also adding right-handed pitcher Jayden Murray. Overall, it’s a three-team trade, with the Tampa Bay Rays involved as well.

The prize for Baltimore in giving away Mancini is getting Johnson in return via Tampa Bay. The pitcher was considered the Rays’ sixth overall best prospect and has been in the minor leagues for the past four years. Overall, Johnson has thrown in 39 games with 32 starts, throwing 137.2 innings with a 2.81 ERA. Johnson has also been a strikeout machine, punching out 172 batters compared to just 47 walks.