Would Houston Astros Actually Accept This Trade Proposal for Urquidy?

One outlet is suggesting the Houston Astros trade Jose Urquidy but is it plausible?

The Houston Astros have been dormant this winter. The hot stove is ice cold and there doesn't appear to be any hope in sight that the situation will change for the Astros. 

The Astros are having concerns about their potential television deal, a deal where the rights help provide a majority of the funding for the team's coffers. It is a similar position their American League West rivals and World Series champions the Texas Rangers are in. 

Add in the fact that Houston is also above the luxury tax threshold and the financials are looking grim for owner Jim Crane, a cost-conscious and financially savvy businessman. 

Climbing Tal's Hill proposed a trade with the Miami Marlins that could help bolster Houston's bullpen while also getting the team under the luxury tax. But it includes Jose Urquidy, a veteran starter, a position that is in high demand with such a thin free agent market. 

"Steven Okert is a reliever we said Houston should have traded for at the deadline. The 32-year-old is arbitration eligible for the first time this year, and is projected to earn $1.2 million," writes Alec Brown of Climbing Tal's Hill. "With the Astros believed to be struggling financially over their TV contract, Okert would save them $2 million and help them get under the CBT."

"Beyond that, he'd also just help reinforce the Astros bullpen. He's a lefty that wouldn't be acquired simply for the sake of being left-handed, but one that can get outs. For his career, Okert holds a 3.70 ERA. His ERA was a little higher last year at 4.45, but his xERA was more in line with his career average at 3.87."

It's not terrible reasoning but the return is incredibly light for a 28-year-old pitcher with two more seasons of team control and has a sub-4.00 career ERA. Urquidy is also slated to earn just $3.7 million in arbitration this year according to Spotrac. 

Sending him to Miami for a 32-year-old reliever in return seems like a waste of resources, especially given the bareness of both the free agent and trade market when it comes to starters. 

If Houston decides to move a proven starter with team control then promising prospects must be at the top of the docket for any potential return.