Astros Rumor: Pitcher Marcus Stroman could be nice add

There have been rumblings in the past the Astros have shown interest in Toronto Blue Jays’ starting pitcher Marcus Stroman.

The Astros‘ name has come up as one of the teams interested in a possible trade for Marcus Stroman. He could be a nice addition to join Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole in Houston’s starting rotation. With Collin McHugh‘s likely switch from reliever to starter, the Astros would then only need to rely on one rookie for the fifth spot.

Stroman had a down year last season, most likely due to injury problems he sustained throughout the year. But if he can stay healthy and put up numbers as he did in 2017, he would be a nice asset to the starting rotation.

The 27-year-old had a record of 4-9 and posted an ERA of 5.54 last season. But Stroman was battling a sore shoulder and a persistent blister on his throwing hand. The blister was only allowing him to throw only two pitches. But after missing most of the 2015 season because of a knee injury he sustained, Stroman pitched 200+ innings in 2016-17 showing his durability.

“I couldn’t even throw a curveball or slider,” he said. “It’s hard to keep battling and going out there, knowing that you can only go to one or two weapons in your repertoire.’’

In 2017 a healthy Stroman showed more promising numbers. He finished the season 13-9 with a 3.09 ERA. He was eighth in the voting for the Cy Young Award and won a Gold Glove. He had a WAR of 5.7 and an ERA+ of 145 while striking out 164 batters. Stroman’s career ERA is 3.91 which is inflated by the injury-plagued 2018 season.

Stroman is set to earn $7.4 million and will be arbitration eligible in 2020, making him an affordable option. With available pitchers on the trade market and free agency, time is running out. A healthy Stroman may be a nice addition that shouldn’t cost too much in a trade or salary.