Why Astros are trading for Blue Jays' Gold Glove CF Daulton Varsho

The Houston Astros have come storming back in the AL West and have the division lead on MLB trade deadline day. They've been linked ot a ton of players, most of whom have been left-handed hitting outfielders amid their dire need.

While they didn't end up adding Trevor Larnach, they have reportedly swung a different deal for a Gold Glove center fielder from the Toronto Blue Jays.

According to Mitch Bannon of The Athletic, the Blue Jays are trading Daulton Varsho to the Astros in exchange for pitcher Spencer Arrighetti in a very interesting one-for-one swap.

Why Astros are trading Spencer Arrighetti for Daulton Varsho

"Daulton Varsho is close to going to the Astros, per source," Bannon reports. "It's in medical review. The return will be starting pitcher Spencer Arrighetti."

This is a very fascinating trade for both teams, but this is a win-now move for the Astros as they act as buyers at this year's deadline.

Varsho, the 30-year-old outfielder, is a Gold Glove winner, and most importantly, a left-handed hitter. He's a free agent after this season, so he's a true rental.

In 99 games and 333 at-bats this season, Varsho has 0.8 bWAR with seven home runs, a .243 batting average, and a .682 OPS with an 86 OPS+. He's about the same offensively against right-handed or left-handed pitching as well.

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Varsho is a good defender who will be a nice pickup for the Astros' outfield. But the cost of this trade is a bit interesting.

Arrighetti began the year on a hot streak for the Astros, but he's since cooled off and has posted a 4.60 ERA on the season. He is a lot younger at 26 years old and is under control through the 2029 season.

But his struggles lately have forced the Astros to shake things up in the rotation, paving the way for this Varsho trade that is in the final stages of being completed.

This is a fascinating player-for-player swap, but it's a huge boon for the Astros' outfield amid their need for a left-handed hitter.

The Astros are making this trade to fill their lefty-hitting outfield need, and moving on from the inconsistent Arrighetti to do so. It is a risky move, but the upside with Varsho is very appealing.

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