The Houston Astros are showing a willingness to trade their star player, Hunter Pence, Buster Olney of ESPN reports. He says that rival executives are expecting that the Astros will move Pence.

Earlier today, we learned that the Braves could be close to a deal for a right handed bat (via David O’Brien of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution), and Olney says they have the prospects to make the deal happen.

The Braves are believed to also be interested in Jonny Gomes. Pence is hitting .315/.356/.478 with 11 HR’s and 61 RBI’s in 372 AB’s for the Astros this season. Gomes, 30, is hitting .213/.339/.408 with 11 home runs this season.

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