%20%20--%3E%0A%3Csvg%20version%3D%221.1%22%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20xmlns%3Axlink%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F1999%2Fxlink%22%20x%3D%220px%22%20y%3D%220px%22%0A%09%20viewBox%3D%220%200%201055.1%20200%22%20style%3D%22enable-background%3Anew%200%200%201055.1%20200%3B%22%20xml%3Aspace%3D%22preserve%22%3E%0A%3Cstyle%20type%3D%22text%2Fcss%22%3E%0A%09.st0%7Bfill%3A%23231F20%3B%7D%0A%09.st1%7Bfill%3A%230E203C%3B%7D%0A%09.st2%7Bfill%3A%23EC4324%3B%7D%0A%09.st3%7Bfill%3A%23FFFFFF%3B%7D%0A%3C%2Fstyle%3E%0A%3Cg%20id%3D%22Template%22%3E%0A%3C%2Fg%3E%0A%3Cg%20id%3D%22Layer_2%22%3E%0A%09%3Cpath%20class%3D%22st3%22%20d%3D%22M58.3%2C200.3h82.4c12.4%2C0%2C21.7-1.5%2C28-4.5c20.2-9.6%2C30.2-26.1%2C30.2-49.3c0-3.2-0.2-9.3-0.6-18.3h-65.1v14.9%0A%09%09c-0.9%2C3.9-3.4%2C5.8-7.5%2C5.8H73.2c-5%2C0-7.5-2.5-7.5-7.5V59.2c0-5%2C2.5-7.5%2C7.5-7.5h52.5c5%2C0%2C7.5%2C2.1%2C7.5%2C6.4v10.8h65.7V55.7%0A%09%09c0-16.3-3.8-28.3-11.4-36.1c-8.8-12.9-24.7-19.3-47.4-19.3H58.9C47%2C0.3%2C38%2C1.7%2C32%2C4.3c-21.3%2C9-32%2C26.1-32%2C51.4v88%0A%09%09c0%2C16.5%2C3.6%2C28.7%2C10.9%2C36.6C20.1%2C193.7%2C35.9%2C200.3%2C58.3%2C200.3z%22%2F%3E%0A%09%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22st3%22%20points%3D%22596.6%2C64%20596.6%2C0.8%20400.1%2C0.8%20400.1%2C64%20442.7%2C64%20442.7%2C51.3%20466.1%2C51.3%20466.1%2C148.1%20442.1%2C148.1%20%0A%09%09442.1%2C199.9%20554.8%2C199.9%20554.8%2C148.1%20531.5%2C148.1%20531.5%2C51.4%20554.8%2C51.4%20554.8%2C64%20%09%22%2F%3E%0A%09%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22st3%22%20points%3D%22942.4%2C148.5%20942.4%2C200.2%201055.1%2C200.2%201055.1%2C148.5%201031.8%2C148.5%201031.8%2C51.2%201055.1%2C51.2%201055.1%2C0.8%20%0A%09%09943.1%2C0.8%20943.1%2C51.3%20966.3%2C51.3%20966.3%2C80%20888.9%2C80%20888.9%2C51.3%20912.6%2C51.3%20912.6%2C0.5%20800.1%2C0.8%20800.1%2C51.4%20823.5%2C51.4%20823.5%2C148.6%20%0A%09%09800.1%2C148.6%20800.1%2C200.1%20912.6%2C200.1%20912.6%2C148.6%20888.9%2C148.6%20888.9%2C116.4%20966.3%2C116.4%20966.3%2C148.5%20%09%22%2F%3E%0A%09%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22st2%22%20points%3D%22315.5%2C83.9%20299.6%2C34.9%20283.7%2C83.9%20232.2%2C83.9%20273.9%2C114.1%20258%2C163.1%20299.6%2C132.8%20341.3%2C163.1%20%0A%09%09325.4%2C114.1%20367%2C83.9%20%09%22%2F%3E%0A%09%3Cpolygon%20class%3D%22st2%22%20points%3D%22715.6%2C83.9%20699.7%2C34.9%20683.8%2C83.9%20632.3%2C83.9%20674%2C114.1%20658%2C163.1%20699.7%2C132.8%20741.3%2C163.1%20%0A%09%09725.4%2C114.1%20767.1%2C83.9%20%09%22%2F%3E%0A%3C%2Fg%3E%0A%3C%2Fsvg%3E%0A)
Houston Astros Potential Trade Targets: Starting Pitchers
As of today, the Astros are 36-25, making them 2nd in the AL West behind the Texas Rangers. The current starting rotation for Houston is very strong from 1-3, but the backend of the rotation isn't that great to make a push to win the division. Before I give out four potential trade targets, here is the Astros rotation: Framber Valdez/Cristian Javier/Hunter Brown/J.P. France/Brandon Bielak.
Trade Target #1: SP Lucas Giolito
The Chicago White Sox are expected to be sellers this offseason after having an awful start to the season and no hope to make a push. Lucas Giolito would be a fantastic fit for the Astros rotation, possibly making him the third starter. One thing to note is that Giolito is an unrestricted free agent this season and doesn't have a future with the White Sox, likely meaning they will feel the need to deal him rather than letting him walk.
Potential Trade Target #1 for the Astros:
— dame (@DeepDriveDame) June 7, 2023
SP Lucas Giolito
68.1 IP
4.08 ERA
1.26 WHIP
4.45 FIP
69 K’s/21 BB
Hitters have an .AVG of .246 facing Giolito this year. CWS expected to be big sellers, HOU can swoop in and make Giolito a very good 3rd starter. pic.twitter.com/vAHjI6vYnf
The numbers are there for Giolito and he shouldn't cost too much to affect the Astros farm system, this move would also reunite José Abreu with his former White Sox teammate.
Trade Target #2: Jordan Montgomery
Just like the White Sox, the Cardinals have been abysmal on the field this season and are expected to be heavy sellers this trade deadline. St.Louis currently sits last in the NL Central with a 25-37 record, giving them the worst record in the NL. Jordan Montgomery would be a solid backend rotational piece for the Astros that wouldn't cost much in a trade. He's also an unrestricted free agent after this season, meaning the Cardinals are likelier to trade him away.
Jordan Montgomery in 2023 (66.0 IP): 4.23 ERA / 1.39 WHIP / 3.95 FIP / 60 K's / 18 BB
Trade Target #3: SP Shane Bieber
It is crazy to even think of the Guardians trading away Shane Bieber, but it may happen this trade deadline if Cleveland decides to retool this season. Bieber has another year of arbitration next season and then will be an unrestricted free agent for 2025. An addition like this would bolster the current rotation and gives Houston a great duo of Framber Valdez and Shane Bieber.
Unlike the other targets in this article, Bieber will not be cheap and Houston would definitely have to give up prospects. The Astros' top prospects are majority outfielders so giving one of them up may be the best move to upgrade the rotation and attempt to go back-to-back.
Shane Bieber in 2023 (80.2 IP): 3.57 ERA / 1.28 WHIP / 4.07 FIP / 55 K's / 22 BB