Houston Astros Trade Rumors: Jose Quintana Remains A Top Priority

The Houston Astros haven’t made a splash this off season, they’ve created a wave!

Who am I talking about?

I’m talking about the signings of Charlie Morton, Brian McCann, Nori Aoki and last but not least Josh Reddick.

Yes, the World Series is over and the Houston Astros are hot to trot in light of hopefully an eventful off season in terms of improving this baseball team.

As I watched the Chicago Cubs secure their first championship in 108 years, I thought to myself as far as when it’d be OUR turn.

I know it’s coming but will it be soon?

That remains to be seen.

But, at the moment, the Astros are extremely committed to trot out a winner this upcoming season.

The Astros transitioned through the Winter Meetings last week with a lot of talk but no action.

They continued to flirt with the Chicago White Sox about Jose Quintana but I’m sure they tried to back the Astros in a corner by indicating that Alex Bregman would have to be part of a potential deal.

Of course, the Astros declined.

It would be foolish to trade Bregs at this time because his better days of baseball are just getting started and we’d regret that deal for years to come.

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Plus, it would leave a significant hole at third base that would costly to replace just based off his projected production at the position.

But anyway — the Astros are still dead-set on adding to its pitching staff and it’s possible — although unlikely — they get a deal done before the end of 2016.

But here’s the latest.

According to Jon Heyman of the MLB Network, the Astros are still in hot pursuit of Jose Quintana:

chisox are still listening to offers for jose quintana. astros involved, but of course others r too. 27, 4 yrs control.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 15, 2016

He also provided this important tidbit in regard to his skyrocketing value:

no one's said magic words yet for quintana. price should be v high. 4.5 avg war last 4 yrs. only issue's been run support.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 15, 2016

At least it’s good to hear that the Astros haven’t given up on acquiring Jose Quintana.

I was beginning to wonder if that ship had sailed.

But because of his high price tag, what could be the sticking point in this deal happening between our club and the Chicago White Sox?

The team has already established that Alex Bregman is off the table in this particular move.

So who else is it?

Peter Gammons said that the White Sox wanted Francis Martes, Kyle Tucker and Joe Musgrove.

Brian McTaggart of MLB.com has mentioned that Kyle Tucker could be the showstopper because of his undeniable potential to do something great in the majors.

That’s a strong argument if I do say so myself but what about Francis Martes?

Quite honestly, they’re all tough to part with.

But Musgrove is the only one of those that I see that would make an immediate impact to a roster with his God-given talent.

If we don’t deal Musgrove in the off season, there’s a strong chance that he’d start in 2017, especially if the team doesn’t hit a home run on the starting pitching free agency/trade market.

Next: A Post-Winter Meetings Look At The 25-Man Roster

But, all in all, the Astros aren’t the only ones involved in securing Quintana’s services and it will be tug-o-war to get something done.

Nonetheless, I have no doubt the Astros will try — let’s hope for the best.

Quintana, 27, posted a 3.20 ERA, 7.8 K/9, and 2.2 BB/9 in 208.0 innings pitched through 32 games last season.

His rock-solid 3.56 FIP and 1.163 WHIP with 181 strikeouts is absolutely worth mentioning as well.

Go Astros.

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