Inside the Astros

Houston Astros Linked as Trade Suitor for Exciting Veteran Starter

The Houston Astros have been linked as a likely destination for a Chicago Cubs veteran starting pitcher.

Kade Kistner

David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
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The Houston Astros need to make an acquisition for starting pitching at the MLB trade deadline.

One name that could make sense was just linked to the Astros.

Inside the Cubs has named Houston as a "potential" fit for Chicago Cubs veteran starting pitcher Drew Smyly. 

There is some logic behind the potential move. 

"It might be less feasible but if the Houston Astros continues to have pitching issues, general manager Dana Brown may take his “aggressive” approach and pick up another starter," writes Regina Ham.

"The Astros starting rotation is banged up. Right-hander Luis Garcia underwent Tommy John surgery and is done for 2023. Rotation mainstay Lance McCullers Jr. suffered a setback in his rehab and José Urquidy is still out with a shoulder injury.

"Brown doesn’t want to rush Urquidy’s return to the mound and signaled the All-Star break could be when he’s back with the squad. Picking up Smyly would give the Astros insurance for the starting rotation."

Smyly has been excellent this season and would be a great fit for Houston.

Smyly has compiled a 3.56 ERA with a 1.112 WHIP over 63.2 innings pitched this season.

Additionally, the starter carries an option for the 2024 MLB season, something that could interest Houston as they begin to figure out their pitching plan going forward. 

It's going to be an exciting trade deadline, especially given that the Astros almost certainly have to be involved. 

Perhaps Smyly could the direction they opt to pursue. 

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Kade Kistner
KADE KISTNER

Kade Kistner is the publisher and beat writer for Sports Illustrated's Inside the Phillies. An alumnus of Tulane University, Kade graduated in 2017 with a degree in Latin American Studies and a minor in Spanish. Upon graduation, Kade commissioned into the United States Navy and attended Naval Flight School in Pensacola, Fl. He served as a Naval Aviator and was stationed in Jacksonville, Fl. During his time in school and the Navy, Kade began covering the MLB and NFL with USA Today, SB Nation, and Sports Illustrated. Kade covered the New Orleans Saints, Texas Rangers, and numerous other teams within the Sports Illustrated network before launching Inside the Phillies, Inside the Astros, and Inside the Cubs. You can follow him on Twitter at @KadeKistner, or if you have any questions or comments he can be reached via email at kwkistner@gmail.com.

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