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Which pitcher is most likely traded to the Houston Astros?

By Eric Huysman |
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Which pitcher is most likely traded to the Houston Astros?

September 6, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; Houston Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow before the game against the Oakland Athletics at O.co Coliseum. The Athletics defeated the Astros 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

With the 2015 non-waiver trade deadline approaching, Jeff Luhnow has been all over the media giving people updates to the Houston Astros plan for trades. He has said that they are looking for a pitcher who is a rental type pitcher who they may not necessarily be able to re-sign in the offseason. Over the offseason, Luhnow felt that if certain things happen in 2015, the could decide to go out and open their wallets to get the premium big money pitcher to lead the rotation. Now it appears that the Astros might use that money to address other needs, maybe a hitter?

Could it be that while Luhnow knows that he needs an ace pitcher this year, the team realizes that they already have an ace in Dallas Keuchel and a solid group of young arms in the rotation? The presence of Collin McHugh in the rotation and the emergence of Lance McCullers Jr. and Vincent Velasquez could lessen the need for a big-money acquisition. They would still need a fifth starter, but have several options in between Michael Feliz, Josh Hader, Mark Appel, and Scott Feldman. So the awesomeness of the bearded one potentially has cost a free-agent from being overpaid by the Astros.

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Luhnow has also mentioned that he is willing to take on a longer contract type pitcher as well, such as a Cole Hamels or Tyson Ross. In other words, we only want a rental pitcher but we are willing to take on a longer contract type of starter as well. The key to any deal for Luhnow and the Astros is the cost of a potential deal, and they will do what they feel is best for the present and the future.

With time running short, here are the top starting pitcher targets, in order from least likely to most likely to be traded to the Astros.

Next: 7th Pitcher Most Likely to be Traded to Houston

7th Pitcher Most Likely to be Traded to Houston

Jul 19, 2015; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Johnny Cueto throws a pitch against the Cleveland Indians in the second inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports

Johnny Cueto

This may come as a surprise to most Astros fans because he has been touted as the Astros primary target. The only problem is that the current GM of the Reds is Walt Jocketty, who Astros’ GM Jeff Luhnow clashed with different philosophies while the both worked with the Cardinals. Cueto was at the bottom of my list because I think that Jocketty will want to get the better end of the deal or he won’t do it. While no one can argue his stuff, some concerns have been brought up this year with minor elbow pain at times.

Pros

  • Next to Price, Cueto has the best stuff on the market.
  • Could have the Randy Johnson effect for the Astros
  • Young, great extension candidate.
  • Would give the team a dynamic duo in a playoff run.

Cons

  • Next to Price, Cueto has the best stuff on the market. That means that the Yankees, Dodgers, and other teams can drive each others price up.
  • Walt Jocketty.
  • Elbow pain?
  • Most likely looking to get a big contract, see Jon Lester before Max Scherzer signed.

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My prediction:

With all the above, I think that the Astros will pass on Cueto, and he will end up in the Dodgers rotation. I did poll some of my blogging peers to ask their opinion, Cueto got 23 points that was the lowest.

For more CTH coverage of Johnny Cueto, click here.

Next: 6th Most Likely Pitcher Traded to the Astros

6th Most Likely Pitcher Traded to the Astros

Jul 10, 2015; San Francisco, CA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Cole Hamels (35) throws to the San Francisco Giants in the first inning of their MLB baseball game at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Lance Iversen-USA TODAY Sports

Cole Hamels

The Hamels situation is crazy right now, he will come to Houston or he will not come to Houston. There is a reason that Hamels and Houston keep on getting linked because the Astros have the prospects and financial room to facilitate a blockbuster trade for Hamels. I recognized this in the offseason and still think that they are a match made in the baseball heaven. However, I don’t think Hamels will end up wearing an Astros uniform. Even though the thought of Hamels on this team is cool because he has been an ace for a while now.

Pros

  • Signed till at least 2018, so he is not a rental pitcher.
  • Cheap ace compared to what the current pitchers are getting.
  • Harder throwing left-handed complement to Keuchel
  • Averages 9.33 strikeouts per nine innings, from Fangraphs.
  • Could rejuvenate his season getting out of Philly.

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Cons

  • He has struggled recently.
  • Has a no-trade clause for the Astros, so Luhnow would have to make an offer he can’t refuse.
  • Keeps being reported that he does not want to pitch in Houston.
  • With long-term control, it would cost more prospects than a Cueto trade would. If you ask for salary relief, be ready to fork over more prospects.

Prediction: The Astros will pass on him, and he will end up going to the Texas Rangers where he will be a thorn-in-the-side of the Astros for the next three years. The Rangers will lose on the days that Hamels does not pitch because they traded away a lot to get him. Based on my poll, the other bloggers thought he was the 6th likely pitcher traded to the Astros, getting 26 points.

For more CTH coverage of Cole Hamels, click here.

Next: 5th Most Likely Pitcher Traded to the Astros

5th Most Likely Pitcher Traded to the Astros

Jul 18, 2015; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Scott Kazmir (26) pitches during the first inning against the Minnesota Twins at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Bob Stanton-USA TODAY Sports

Scott Kazmir

While I like what Kazmir has to offer to the Astros rotation, I don’t see the division rival Oakland A’s giving the Astros a player that could potentially hurt them down the road. There might be a few calls just to gauge interest and what would be offered, but Billy Beane would hate to give the Astros a big piece unless the A’s win the trade going. Kazmir could be the cheapest option out there because Beane is a Maverick, you have no clue what he will do. Like Cueto, Kazmir has had some injuries or pains this season, and I don’t see the Astros trading prized prospects away for anyone with potential injuries.

Pros

  • Houston boy, which could make it easier for the Astros to re-sign him.
  • Should be relatively cheap.
  • Doesn’t have as much wear and tear on his arm after being out of MLB baseball for a year.
  • Former top prospect finally living up to potential.
  • Would have a good relationship with several players on the Astros, who used to play with the Athletics.

Cons

  • In-division rival.
  • Injuries concern.
  • Not much buzz around baseball.
  • Could have to pay more than other teams.

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My Prediction

As much as I would like to welcome the hometown boy back to Houston, I don’t see the A’s and Astros making a trade. I see him being traded to the Cubs, especially with recent deals between the two clubs. The other bloggers disagreed with me, and he was ranked the #4 player to go to the Astros with 37 points.

For more CTH coverage of Scott Kazmir, click here.

Next: 4th Most Likely Pitcher Traded to the Astros

4th Most Likely Pitcher Traded to the Astros

Jul 17, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija (29) throws against the Kansas City Royals during the first inning at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Jeff Samardzija

With Samardzija on my fantasy baseball team, you would think that I would be begging to get him on the Astros squad. However, because I almost dropped him earlier in the season gives me some hesitation. He seems older than he is, and his control has improved over the past few years. He still averages about 94 MPH on his fastball but is only averaging 7.14 strikeouts per nine innings which is down from his regular 8-9 range, from Fangraphs. He was traded last trade deadline and again in the offseason, one has to wonder how being traded so much affects your pitching.

Pros

  • Could be a righty counterpart to Randy Johnson, struggles with his old team and then dominates with the Astros.
  • Is a rental player, won’t cost a lot.
  • Has improved recently, looking more like the old ‘Shark’.
  • Make me learn how to spell his last name.
  • I might root for him on my fantasy team more.
  • Could be a good person to target in free-agency, so get the upper leg.

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Cons

  • He could be overtraded.
  • Strikeout numbers declining and ERA rising
  • Has struggled bad a times this year, with the way the Angels are playing, no room for error.
  • Groundball and flyball percentages are too close to each other.
  • 2.2 WAR

My Prediction: 

I think that the ‘Shark’ goes to play with the Yankees, because the Yanks will not have the goods to get the big names. The Yankees will try to get the Cueto’s and Hamel’s, but will settle on Samardzija. I have him a little higher than my blogging peers. They ranked him as the fifth likely to be traded with 31 points.

For more CTH coverage of Jeff Samardzija, click here.

Next: 3rd Most Likely Pitcher Traded to the Astros

3rd Most Likely Pitcher Traded to the Astros

Jul 19, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher Andrew Cashner (34) pitches during the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Andrew Cashner

Before this season, Cashner would have been my top of my wish list, but he is having a down year compared to the injury filled 2014 limiting him to 123 innings last year. However, his numbers compare favorably well with Samardzija in 2015 with more losses playing for the anemic offense that is the Padres. One red flag would be his max innings during any season was in 2013 with 175 innings and a 3.09 ERA. He is already at about 109 innings for the season, so would the Astros feel safe stretching him out to 200 plus innings for the playoff drive? However, get Cashner with Brett Strom and see magic happen.

Pros

  • With a down season, he could be had for very little.
  • Rental who you could afford to re-sign.
  • Still only 28-years-old and could be ready for his prime.
  • We need more beard on the team.

Cons

  • Innings limits?
  • Injury history
  • Has allowed 13 home runs in 2015
  • Not a Johnson type of trade.
  • Could be a disaster

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My Prediction:

I predict that the Angels or Astros trade for Cashner as a third-fourth starter, for the sake of this post I will say the Angels make the move. He will probably struggle against the American League lineups and allow the Astros to reclaim first place the last day of the season. The bloggers disagreed with me by saying that Cashner was the second most likely pitcher the Astros trade for with 45 points.

For more CTH coverage of Andrew Cashner, click here. 

Next: 2nd Likely Pitcher traded to the Astros

2nd Most Likely Pitcher Traded to the Astros

Jun 14, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers starting pitcher David Price (14) in the dugout against the Cleveland Indians at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

David Price

I understand that the Tigers have not officially come out and said that they are officially selling, with Miguel Cabrera out for a while, and Mr. Kate Upton (Justin Verlander) has not been his normal self, it might be time. They are currently hovering around .500 right now, 14-15 games behind the Minnesota Twins. They don’t need to do a full restart like the Astros did but trading a Price and Yoenis Cespedes could bring in some more new talent to work on in 2016.

There is not much else to say about price; he is probably the best pitcher available at the trade deadline if he’s available. Price and Cueto would be the only ones who could probably make a significant impact on the new team, similar to Price’s performance last year after being traded to the Tigers.

Pros

  • He is the true definition of an ace.
  • Keuchel and Price would team up for a heck of a 1-2 punch in the Astros rotation.
  • Give Price a chance to experience Houston, since McCullers is already recruiting him.
  • His dog’s name is Astro.
  • He had 271 strikeouts last year between Tampa Bay and Detroit.
  • Still young enough to look at extending, 29-years-old.
  • They Astros have the prospects needed.
  • He would bring the “Randy-Mania” to the Astros.

Cons

  • It’s going to be the Hunger Games trying to get him in a trade with all the other contenders.
  • He might be a true rental.
  • The fact his dog’s name is Astro means nothing; maybe he liked the Jetsons as a kid.

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My prediction:

I believe that it will be between the Astros and the Cubs, and I think the Cubs will win out with the better prospects package. But he signs with Houston in the offseason, I can dream, right? My bloggers peers disagree with me again but think that he is the likely third pitcher the Astros trade for with 42 points.

For more CTH coverage of David Price, click here.

Next: The Most Likely Pitcher Traded to the Astros

The Most Likely Pitcher Traded to the Astros

Jul 18, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher Tyson Ross (38) pitches against the Colorado Rockies during the first inning at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Tyson Ross

Are you surprised? I think Ross is the perfect fit for the Astros, not for the ace of the staff, but as a great number two pitcher to Keuchel. Put him in between Keuchel and McCullers with McHugh and Velasquez following, that would be an impressive rotation for several years. Luhnow can talk all about wanting a rental, he will see that the difference between a pitcher with team control and a rental pitcher disappears as the clock winds down to the deadline. Yes, he has control issues, but he can pitch around them most of the time. It will take an excellent package to acquire him including Appel and Domingo Santana, but he is the perfect pitcher for this team. This is mainly my gut feeling because I think Luhnow might take a shot at Price as well.

Pros

  • He is still young with six years experience.
  • He struggled early in his career and how learned how to pitch.
  • Fits in the ‘process’ similar to Evan Gattis with two years left of the control.
  • Average fastball speed is 93 MPH.
  • Ross has an impressive groundball rate of close to 62%.

Cons

  • It will cost a lot.
  • He’s not lefthanded.

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My Prediction:

I think if Ross goes anywhere, he will go to Houston. It would take a package of 4-5 prospects to make the trade, but the Astros are able to hang onto Hader, Brett Phillips, and A.J. Reed among others. I am no expert on the art of a trade, but I think Ross just makes too much sense for the Astros. Yes, Ross is on my fantasy baseball team. The other bloggers agreed that Ross is the best fit for the Astros with 48 points.

For more CTH coverage of Tyson Ross, click here.

Next: From earlier: Astros Let’s Trade for Starter Recap

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