Report: Astros, Rays Discuss Choi, Urquidy Swap

According to Patrick Creighton of ESPN 97.5 Houston, the Houston Astros and Tampa Bay Rays have conducted trade talks over a variety of players. Foremost among them are Ji-Man Choi and José Urquidy.

In need of a first baseman, the Astros have shown a willingness to trade one of their many starters. Slated to have enough for a reliable seven-man rotation by the time Lance McCullers Jr. returns, Urquidy has found himself on the chopping block.

Meanwhile, the Rays do not lack for first basemen. Between Harold Ramirez and Isaac Paredes, Tampa Bay has a surplus of offense-first 1B/DH types.

Urquidy for Choi strongly favors the Rays since the Astros starter has three and a half years of team control remaining to Choi's one and a half. Urquidy is also a far more valuable player.

So, included in an Urquidy for Choi swap, could be former top prospect Josh Lowe. Pre-2022 he was ranked MLB's #50 prospect in baseball. Lowe has struggled in the Majors as a 24-year-old, slashing .214/.275/.337, but his potential is still strong, and his defense is solid right now.

José Siri is another player discussed in the deal, perhaps someone to sweeten the pot for Lowe, but Siri has been involved in trade conversations for nearly every team hunting a centerfielder.

With Kevin Kiermaier out for the season, the Rays would need a centerfielder to make up for Lowe's absence.