Astros reportedly kicking tires on closer deals
Chapman, Miller, Giles, Boxberger among those drawing interest from club
The Astros are very determined to get a closer, other teams have told ESPN's Jayson Stark, as Houston is looking at both trade and free-agent options.
The Astros have checked in on Cincinnati's Aroldis Chapman, Yankees left-hander Andrew Miller, Philadelphia's Ken Giles and Tampa Bay's Brad Boxberger, according to Stark.
Although each of those four relievers has been discussed in potential trades, Chapman appears to be the surest to be moved. Chapman, who turns 28 on Feb. 28, has a 2.17 career ERA and 146 saves in 164 chances with 546 strikeouts in 319 innings during his six seasons for the Reds. After he earned $8.05 million in 2015, the left-hander is eligible for arbitration for a third and final time, and he can be a free agent after the '16 season.
The Reds have been public in their willingness to move Chapman in the right deal.
"We've been talking to clubs, but I don't think there's anything that's close," Reds president of baseball operations Walt Jocketty recently told the Cincinnati Enquirer. "Hopefully we get something done with somebody before the Winter Meetings. We'd like to get moving on some things."
Some top free-agent options available include Tyler Clippard, Darren O'Day and Matt Thornton.