Houston Astros Rival Texas Rangers not After Jose Quintana

The Rangers are after Jose Quintana, yeah right! Don’t stress out Houston Astros fans.

At this moment of the year, the Houston Astros are the only fit for Jose Quintana. This is known around baseball, but a deal has yet to be reached. If two things are a perfect fit, why can’t they find a way to get together? This is what Rick Hahn and the White Sox are thinking now. The Astros are the last hope, for now. Jeff Luhnow has stood his ground thus far and refused to overpay for Quintana.

Yesterday, Bob Nightengale of USA today reported that the Texas Rangers have suddenly decided to go after Quintana. Nightengale said he doubts a deal gets done, but the Rangers are trying to get the talented left-handed pitcher. There is only one problem, the Rangers have said all offseason that they would not trade for Quintana.

When I first heard that the Rangers had increased their effort in trying to trade for Quintana, I thought it was BS from the start. As my Talking Stros co-host, Brandon would say, this is a tactic by the White Sox to get things going with Houston. We will talk about this with Alyson Footer and Jim Callis on tonight’s Talking Stros starting at 5:30 pm CST.

Even Rangers’ beat writer Evan Grant feels like this is a little gameplay by the White Sox. They have been after the Astros’ Francis Martes, Kyle Tucker, and Joseph Musgrove. The Astros have continually said thanks, but no thanks to that trade package.

Do the Astros need Quintana?

Is Quintana worth that trade package? Yes, but the Houston Astros don’t feel like they need to make that trade at the moment. They understand that it could cost more at the trade deadline. But at least they will know if they need another starting pitcher at that time.

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Right now, the Houston rotation consists of Dallas Keuchel, Lance McCullers, Collin McHugh, Charlie Morton, and Musgrove or Mike Fiers. If the top of the rotation stays healthy and performs up to expectations, help may not be needed during the season. Adding an arm like Quintana would most likely put them as favorites for the World Series, but they may not need it.

How much do the Rangers have left to trade after the trade deadline acquisitions over the past two years? Callis will be able to tell us tonight, but Grant said that he has talked to two sources who have downplayed the trade talks. Keith Law ranked them as the 15th overall farm system, so they don’t have the talent they can afford to lose.

Next: Astros: Thoughts on Chris Correa’s Allegations

The Houston Astros have the depth, so I can see a deal at some point, especially with the two extra picks they received. However, there is no rush in the minds of the Astros’ front office. If needed at the trade deadline, Luhnow will do what it takes to win now.

***Stats from Baseball-Reference***