Houston Astros Rumors: Three ways to add another ace starting pitcher
By T.A. Mock
The Houston Astros have three potential openings in their starting rotation for 2019. Let’s take a look at three ways to add another ace-level pitcher.
We’ve talked about it several times before and we’ll likely talk about it again, other people have talked about it before and will likely talk about it again. That being said, the Houston Astros have some significant work to do to fill out their starting rotation.
The Astros are bringing Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole back into their rotation for the 2019 season. They losing Lance McCullers Jr. due to Tommy John surgery and potentially both Dallas Keuchel and Charlie Morton. That adds up to be a 500 inning deficit in the 2019 rotation.
On top of that, the Astros are set to lose both Verlander and Cole after the 2019 season unless they are extended this offseason or re-signed next offseason. The possibility of a 100% turnover a starting rotation that was one of the best in league history is a terrifying prospect.
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I’d imagine the Houston Astros will try significantly harder to bring back both Verlander and Cole than they are Keuchel and Morton but as of right now it’s not a guarantee. So, the team has its work cut out for themselves in regards to putting together an elite rotation for 2019 and beyond.
There are some solid in-house options for this year and beyond, they include but aren’t limited to, Josh James and Framber Valdez for this year and Forrest Whitley and Corbin Martin for beyond. However, simply relying on all of those guys aren’t going to cut for this year or beyond.
Plus, there is only one ace-level potential in that group and that’s Whitley so, the team is best suited to go out and look for an ace-caliber player to add this offseason. The free agent pool isn’t loaded with top end talent and even the talent that is considered top end has its questions.
The best route for the Houston Astros to get their rotation back to tops in the league is to trade for at least one pitcher because the market is flooded with them right now. Filling out the entire rotation is probably best done through a combination of internal and external options. But, for now, here are three ways to add a bonafide ace to the staff for 2019.