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Potential Starting Pitching Trade Targets for the Houston Astros

By Damien Flores |
Divisional Series - Tampa Bay Rays v Houston Astros - Game One
Divisional Series - Tampa Bay Rays v Houston Astros - Game One / Bob Levey/GettyImages
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Every team in baseball could use pitching depth due to potential injuries and possible degression from pitchers. The Houston Astros could definitely use an extra arm for the starting rotation, the main reason why is because of the uncertainty of Lance McCullers Jr. We know he has had an ongoing issue with his injury history that may affect the Astros in the long run this season.

The projected Houston Astros starting rotation for Opening Day is:

LHP Framber Valdez

RHP Cristian Javier

RHP Luis Garcia

RHP Jose Urquidy

RHP Hunter Brown

On paper, this is a solid rotation, even without Lance McCullers Jr. But if they suffered another injury that would have Dusty Baker second guessing the next man up. For example, RHP Hunter Brown was dealing with back discomfort last night. Not saying this is anything long term that would affect anything, but something like that during the season may result in him being pushed back for a start.

Here are three starting pitching targets that the Astros could go for:

Wild Card Series - Tampa Bay Rays v Cleveland Guardians - Game Two
Wild Card Series - Tampa Bay Rays v Cleveland Guardians - Game Two / Patrick Smith/GettyImages

RHP Tyler Glasnow, Tampa Bay Rays

Now we all know that the Rays have a tendency of developing pitchers, and then trade them away once they deserve to get paid the big bucks. Glasnow could possibly be one of those guys.

His salary this season is $5.4 million but that will shoot up to $25 million in 2024. The Rays should be contending this year, but I won't be surprised if Glasnow is dealt before the trade deadline. He only pitched two games last season due to Tommy John surgery back in 2021. Before he got hurt, he posted a 2.66 ERA in 14 starts along with 123 strikeouts and 27 walks.

Glasnow is also dealing with an oblique injury that will keep him off the mound until early May, possibly making his price low in a trade.

Mexico v Colorado Rockies
Mexico v Colorado Rockies / Chris Coduto/GettyImages

RHP German Marquez, Colorado Rockies

The Colorado Rockies don't appear to be a playoff team anytime soon, which means they could possibly be sellers this season. A name that may be looming around would be German Marquez.

A starting pitcher that throws a Fourseam Fastball, Curveball, Sinker, and Slider, Marquez could possibly slot into the rotation as a #4 starter for the Astros. He hasn't been so consistent as of recent history, but we can't forget that Coors Field is a hitter's ballpark. On the road, Marquez posted a 3.73 ERA and a 1.145 WHIP along with 70 strikeouts and 39 walks. Marquez is slated to make $15.3 million this season and $16 million in 2024.

Milwaukee Brewers v Cincinnati Reds
Milwaukee Brewers v Cincinnati Reds / Dylan Buell/GettyImages

RHP Brandon Woodruff, Milwaukee Brewers

The Brewers are a team that everyone has to look out for this trade deadline. If this team isn't looking like a playoff team by the end of July, then we very well might see them blow it up.

There are rumors that Corbin Burnes isn't happy in Milwaukee, and will most likely end up on a new team by next season, if not this season. This means that the Brewers may trade away their other top starting pitcher, Brandon Woodruff.

A starting pitcher that throws a Fourseam Fastball, Sinker, Slider, Curveball, and Changeup, he posted a 3.05 ERA and 1.070 WHIP along with 190 strikeouts and 42 walks last season. Woodruff would be a fantastic #2 or #3 starter in the Astros rotation.

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