Astros Trade Rumors: Chad Qualls won't be traded

The MLB Trade Deadline is just around the corner and that means we’re going to either start hearing names get mentioned with more seriousness or have them fall off and into the abyss of trades that could have happened but never did.

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One team who are always sellers at the deadline are the Houston Astros, who haven’t been good in forever and don’t look to be improving anytime soon. They barely have assets to offer in trades too, but one of their more valuable trade chips won’t be moved before the deadline passes.

According to MLB.com’s Brian McTaggart, the Astros are unlikely to trade relief pitcher Chad Qualls before the deadline passes later this month, at least according to GM Jeff Luhnow.

"“I hesitate to use the word ‘untouchable,’ but he likes it here, he’s comfortable here, and he’s pitching well. To have a guy who’s capable of pitching late in the game, in close games, we’re going to have opportunity going forward. This is a team that’s improving, and as the team improves, you have more save opportunities, more opportunities to pitch at the end of close games. We need more Chad Qualls. We don’t need less.”"

The relief pitching market seems to be a bit crowded this year but that hasn’t made deals any easier to come by. Huston Street and Joakim Soria have switched teams already but Joaquin Benoit and others have been harder bargains to be had. That’s where Qualls is, as he’d make a decent setup man with someone hunting for the postseason but won’t be given up by a team who isn’t.

Be sure to stay glued to FanSided’s MLB Rumors page to stay up to date with the latest action and rumbling from the baseball hot stove this trade season.

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Astros Trade Rumors: Chad Qualls won’t be traded

By Josh Hill | Jul 24, 2014