Astros Linked As Landing Spot For Rays Starter

The Houston Astros would have to take on some salary, but a trade for this Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher makes sense.

The Houston Astros have publicly said that they don’t have as much financial flexibility in 2024 as they explore how to improve their team.

But, what if the Astros were willing to break the bank a little bit, just for one year? Is there one pitcher out there that might fit the bill? A high salary but a potential high rate of return that could put them over the top under first-year manager Joe Espada?

MLB Trade Rumors believes there is one out there. Recently, the site explored 12 potential landing spots for a pitcher that will make a lot of money in 2024, be a free agent in 2025 but could be an immediate boost to any team that deals for him.

But, first the why.

The Astros expect to have Justin Verlander, Framber Valdez, José Urquidy, Cristian Javier, Hunter Brown and J.P. France back in 2024. But it’s what they won’t have to start the season that is worrisome.

Two other pitchers, Luis Garcia and Lance McCullers Jr., missed most or all of 2023. Garcia is rehabbing after Tommy John surgery while McCullers has been injury prone in recent years. Both likely won’t be ready until sometime during the 2024 season.

So there’s room to take on a starting pitcher for one year that could add to what they already have and soften the landings of Garcia and McCullers.

In this case, the pitcher in question was Tampa Bay’s Tyler Glasnow.

The right-hander is coming off his best season as a pro, as he went 10-7 with a 3.53 ERA in 21 starts as he’s fully back from Tommy John surgery.

Ordinarily, the Rays would want to hang onto Glasnow. But, this being Tampa Bay, management may be looking to move him for one simple reason — cost.

Glasnow is set to make $25 million in 2024 as part of a two-year extension he signed before his final arbitration season. The Rays have made a cottage industry out of trading players like Glasnow for a high rate of return in situations like this.

The Astros have the ability to take on Glasnow’s salary, though it might be a tight squeeze. More importantly, they have two young pitchers that are under team control that could be dealt for Glasnow in Brown and France.

It would be a bold move for the Astros, one designed to help them try and run down the Texas Rangers in the American League. That alone might be worth it for Houston to explore.