The Houston Astros have a starting pitching problem — they can’t seem to keep them healthy.
Luis Garcia is out for the season after Tommy John surgery. Lance McCullers Jr. is on the injured list and headed for an MRI on his arm. José Urquidy has been on the 15-day injured list for a month after shoulder discomfort.
As the fill-in starters have performed admirably, with the Astros within striking distance of the American League West-leading Texas Rangers, the need is clear when it comes to the trade deadline — starting pitching.
CBS Sports recently put together a list of 20 players that could be moved at the deadline, based on a variety of their criteria. CBS connected the Astros to three starters that could be potential fits in a trade situation.
The first was Chicago White Sox right-hander Lucas Giolito, who is set to hit free agency after this season. CBS noted he might be the top starter available on the trade maarket:
Giolito's game has always been about verticality, mixing elevated heaters and changeups to keep batters off-balance. His new slider, featuring greater downward break, has fit in beautifully and has so far served as his top bat-missing pitch. It's to be seen what kind of contract Giolito fetches this winter, but we're not optimistic the White Sox would be in the running to keep him even if they were playing better.
The former first-round pick of the Washington Nationals was 5-4 with a 3.75 ERA in his first 13 starts with 76 strikeouts.
The second was his teammate, right-hander Dylan Cease, who is 3-3 with a 4.48 ERA in his first 14 games with 78 strikeouts. He’s also under team control through 2025 and was last season’s AL Cy Young Award runner-up (14-8, 2.20 ERA). Per CBS:
Cease's slippage has been on more than a statistical front. His velocity and command have backed up compared to 2022, and that combination has him missing bats at a lower frequency than usual. Maybe a team will make it easy for the White Sox by coming in hot and offering a return suitable for an ace.
The third is Detroit Tigers left-hander Eduardo Rodriguez. The 30-year-old is 4-4 with a 2.13 ERA and has struck out 67.
He’s a solid veteran who has pitched since 2015 and won at least 10 games in four different seasons. He’s also dealing with a left index finger pulley rupture and is on the injured list. Per CBS:
He's having a resurgent season and he has the ability to opt out of his contract (and the three years, $49 million left on it) this winter. That would've seemed like an improbable outcome as recently as last offseason.
The Astros have a clear need. Time will only tell if any of those three pitchers can deliver on filling that need.
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