The trade deadline is rapidly approaching and as each day passes by, the Astros glaring need for help for their pitching staff becomes more and more clear. The club has done an unbelievable job dealing with all the injury blows they have been dealt this season, but it is clear the further along this thing goes, the more dangerous this game is getting. At the moment they're relying on four guys in the bullpen to secure most wins, running each of these guys into the ground and each of them showing signs of fatigue of late. Same can be said for the starting staff that is filled with guys that are throwing more innings than they ever have in their lives, all while their second most important starter has tanked over the last month plus due to his arm fatigue. Things feel great when you win and they are still winning, but the current situation is not something that a winner can sustain. Flat out, this club needs at least one starter and at least one bullpen arm to make it through the stretch run. With the need for a bat clearly fading as the deadline nears, let's take a look at some names that will be out there that the Astros could take a look at.
Starting Pitchers:
Dylan Cease- White Sox
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It has been reported that the Astros 'dream scenario' would be acquiring Cease and Luis Robert in a trade with the White Sox. To pull off a deal like that, the Astros would have to make Drew Gilbert available, something they prefer not to do. Cease is under control for two more seasons and will have a ton of suitors if he is truly available. While not having the same year he did a year ago, he would instantly slot into the number two spot in the Astros rotation. This dream is highly unlikely to become a real scenario for the Astros.
Marcus Stroman- Chicago Cubs
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Another name that the Astros have reportedly already checked in on, Stroman would prove to be a real rental acquisition. The question with a real rental is just how far are you willing to go? If the Cubs are moving him, the competition will be heavy to acquire his services. Like Cease, you would instantly slot him in as the number two in your rotation.
Michael Lorenzen- Detroit Tigers
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Enjoying a great run recently on the mound, Lorenzen's name is heating up in the reports, already having been linked to the Astros. This move would not be the needle mover that most are looking for, but Lorenzen would provide the nice veteran innings eater value the club could be looking for.
Jordan Montgomery- St. Louis Cardinals
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Another rental arm on the market coming from a team that will be looking to sell almost every player they have with some sort of value. Montgomery is a very solid, reliable starter, but not a massive needle mover that is going to take a club to elite contending status. Competition for him will be heavy as well, the price might end up being just a bit too much.
Justin Verlander- New York Mets
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This one will spark a lot of emotion for the fan base after the incredible run Verlander had in Houston, ending with a second World Series and Cy Young a year ago. The Mets have turned into an absolute disaster after spending a ton of money on he and others and they clearly would love to get out of some of that money moving forward. For Verlander to end up back in Houston he would first have to approve the trade and second, the Mets would have to pay down a very large portion of the money. I cannot see a scenario where Jim Crane would want to pay him any more than 30 million of the 43 million he is due next year, likely wanting to pay even less than that 30 million number. This scenario is highly unlikely, but with the relationship Crane has with Verlander, you just never know.
We will take a look at names of relievers to watch tomorrow, so check back in the morning for more.