Houston Astros Rumors: Team has notable interest in Yu Darvish

We’ve got about a week to go before the trade deadline where small talk is cold and the rumors are hot with the Houston Astros linked to a front-line starter.

These days, the Houston Astros will be linked to just about every rumor involving a quality arm because we all know that’s what the team needs to push themselves over the top in terms of contending for a world title.  We have a long way to go before we get to that point but at least it’s prudent to give the team as much ammo as possible to compete.  We’re going to need it.

With Collin McHugh making his start today and Dallas Keuchel rehabbing with the Tri-City Valley Cats as well, the entire pitching rotation is about to come back online once again.  There will be quality guys that have thrown starter innings that will go the bullpen and some may stay for now.  There’s a lot of talk that Brad Peacock should stay in the rotation, considering how well he has pitched since being promoted to the starter role.  But whatever the team decides, it certainly will be in the best interest of the team to continue this peculiar path of success that this has started.

But here’s the latest arm they’re interested.  Multiple sources have alluded to the Houston Astros intrigue with Yu Darvish and Jon Morosi has confirmed that reps from the franchise’s scouting team were present at the Texans Rangers match up versus the Tampa Bay Rays on the road, examining his start.

Here’s what he had to say:

This doesn’t surprise me too much but it does offer some confirmation that the Houston Astros are seriously locked in to possibly having in the rotation.  I’m sure they already have scouts that are based in Florida but who knows if they sent anybody from Houston down there to examine him.  Nonetheless, the notion of the team using resources to scout this guy is something to keep your eyes peeled on.

So what’s there not to like about Darvish?  When healthy, he’s just about the best as they come and he certainly would be a starter that would elevate this team to places that we would’ve dreamed of just five years ago when we were all in the doldrums about the direction of this team.  But now those days are over and the franchise continues to dominate the headlines for front-line talent.

Per Brooks Baseball, Darvish has a plethora pitches in his stable but his 95 mph four-seam fastball is the one we’ve come known as his signature pitch over the years.  He has an impressive slider, sinker and cutter that’s usually sits around the mid to high 80s.  He doesn’t use his curveball a lot but when he does, it usually yields positive results.

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How much does he cost?  Darvish had the remaining years of his arbitration bought out as he signed a six-year, $60 million deal back in 2012.  His contract is expiring after this season which makes him a healthy target for many teams, including the Astros.  He will make $11 million this season to which I’m the team will have no problem paying considering the likely high return that you’d get him.

He’s had has struggles throughout the season but he’s still worth enough to deal for.  In fact, Darvish tossed 12 strikeouts but allowed three earned runs — all homers — with one walk and five hits through 8.0 innings of action in the Rangers 4-3 win over the Rays last night.  That’s WHAT WE NEED, the strikeouts.

What would it take to get him?  They’re going to want Kyle Tucker, Derek Fisher, Francis Martes and possibly Daz Cameron.  What I’d give the Rangers — it pains me to say this — is Martes, Preston Tucker and Teoscar Hernandez.  If they want Franklin Perez, they’re going to have to send more back and that’s all there is to it.  We’ll have to see how this pans out but we’ll be in bidding war with many teams, including the New York Yankees.

With the Rangers 18 games back behind us in the standings and an even more-murky Wild Card contention picture, there’s absolutely no doubt that they’ll be sellers at the deadline.  Darvish will be leaving the Rangers soon but it’s all on the Astros to put up the goods to get him if they really want him.

Next: Astros rekindling interest in lefty Justin Wilson

Darvish, 30, has posted a 6-8 record, a 3.44 ERA, 143 strikeouts, a solid 3.84 FIP, 9.7 K/9 and excellent 1.12 WHIP through 133.1 innings pitched in 21 starts.

Go Astros.