House of Houston
Fansided

Houston Astros: Robbie Ray still remains the object of team’s affection

By Brian K. Patterson

Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Robbie Ray, rumored to be targeted by the Houston Astros (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Robbie Ray, rumored to be targeted by the Houston Astros (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Houston Astros are still dead set on acquiring the services of lefty starter Robbie Ray as the Arizona D-Backs look to unload him. What’s going on?

The Houston Astros have been named in so many rumors, it’s tough to keep up with all of them!  That’s definitely a good sign and that the MLB trade deadline is on final approach!  We have a little over 24 hours to go before we all find out who the newest member(s) of the Houston Astros will be via trade.

There’s no question that the Houston Astros will make a deal.  Jeff Luhnow knows what the score is and he knows he needs another starting pitcher as well as an improvement on the catching side as well.  It also wouldn’t hurt to get a lefty reliever but if they don’t get one by the deadline, it won’t be the end of the world.

Cionel Perez was supposed to be that guy but he tends to get rocked a lot anytime he steps onto the bump so the Houston Astros are going to have to put him back in the oven until they hear the sound of the popper.

But so far, the Houston Astros have been linked to rumors for pitchers Zack Wheeler, Noah Syndergaard and Matthew Boyd.

Robbie Ray has also been an object of the franchise’s affection and USA Today’s Bob Nightengale indicates that “rival organizations ‘fully expect’ for Ray to moved by the trade deadline.

MLB Insider Jon Heyman says that the Houston Astros, along with the Milwaukee Brewers and New York Yankees are the teams that still interested in his services so as with any top southpaw,

More from House of Houston

the Houston Astros will have to fight to the front of the line to nab him.

Having another left-handed starter outside of Wade Miley would work wonders for this starting rotation to the point of them being damn-near unstoppable and I’d welcome this move with opening arms.

The 27-year-old Ray will earn $6.5 million this season and still has one season of club control left before becoming a free agent in 2021, making him an attractive option for franchises looking to improve their pitching.

The Houston Astros would end up paying him about $3M or so to close out the season and that’s a bargain, considering the team would likely have to give up a mid-tier top prospect to get a pact done with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Next. Astros 'fully expected' to land Zach Wheeler. dark

Ray has posted a 9-7 record, a 3.91 ERA while tossing 173 strikeouts off 56 earned runs through 129.0 innings pitched in 23 starts.  His 4.26 FIP and 1.30 WHIP are shaky but worth the risk of bringing him with improvement being likely.

His 12.1 K/9 rate should alleviate any worries about his effectiveness because at the end of the day, striking guys out is what it’s all about.

I’m all for it — so let’s get it done Jeff!  Go Astros!

Home/Houston Astros