Astros: 7 Players Who Could Help at the Trade Deadline

HOUSTON, TX - JUNE 30: Houston Astros owner Jim Crane, right, and Houston general manager Jeff Luhnow chat during battting practice at Minute Maid Park on June 30, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - JUNE 30: Houston Astros owner Jim Crane, right, and Houston general manager Jeff Luhnow chat during battting practice at Minute Maid Park on June 30, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /
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PHOENIX, AZ – SEPTEMBER 09: Robbie Ray #38 of the Arizona Diamondbacks pitches against the Atlanta Braves during the first inning of an MLB game at Chase Field on September 9, 2018 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Getty Images) /

Robbie Ray – Left-Handed Starting Pitcher – Arizona Diamondbacks

Robbie Ray has been closely followed by the Astros brass. Brian Murray wrote about this when the news broke that the Astros were interested in a partnership with the Diamondbacks to bring Ray’s services to Houston. MLBTradeRumors were also on the Robbie Ray to Astros bandwagon.

It’s not like GM Jeff Luhnow to express interest and then leave it at that. Expect his name to pop up again when the time comes. Especially if the recent string of bad outings from Brad Peacock and Colin McHugh continues. If bets were on the table, Peacock to the pen and Ray to the rotation would be the outcome Astros fans would love to see.

In this early season, Ray’s production is a bit convoluted to weed out. His FIP is lower than last year at 4.11, which is still a number that is a little disconcerting. However, his strikeouts remain high posting 200+ strikeouts in 2016-2017 seasons. Ray’s ability to miss the bat is well documented

Ray also is due $6 million this year, the bonus being, he has one more season of arbitration to go. It almost aligns up nicely as a Cole-Clone-style scenario.

Contract: 1 year  $6 million – ARB in 2020 – FA in 2021
Diamondback Needs: SP, SS, 2B, RP
Likelihood of happening: Low to Surprised on July 31st