Astros trade rumors: Houston listening on Chad Qualls, Tony Sipp

Though they are unlikely to move any of their core pieces before next Thursday's non-waiver trade deadline, the Astros are listening to offers on relievers Chad Qualls and Tony Sipp, according to Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com. While the chances of a Qualls deal are unknown, one baseball source characterized the chances of a Sipp deal as being "50/50", mentioning that the Astros value the left-hander highly and are asking for a lot in return for him.

Qualls, who turns 36 in August, has posted a 1.78 ERA in 35.1 innings with Houston after signing a two-year, $6 million deal last winter. He has registered eleven saves as the team's closer, but would likely become a seventh-inning reliever or setup man if he was traded to a contender with an established closer.

Sipp, who opted out of a minor league deal with the Padres to sign a major league deal with the Astros in May, has been excellent as well, posting a 2.45 ERA in 29.1 innings at the major league level. He is under team control next year as an arbitration-eligible player, and is one of the best left-handed relievers available on the trade market this summer.