While Astros GM Dana Brown has publicly maintained that acquiring an outfield bat is his top priority, the buzz in inner circles for the last few weeks has been that the Astros are very focused on adding a starting pitcher.
While the price for a starter will undoubtedly be very high in a clear seller’s market, could the Astros swing big for a starter?
It appears they are at least trying.
According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Astros are among several teams that have called on San Francisco Giants
SP Logan Webb:
The Houston Astros and other teams keep asking about San Francisco Giants ace Logan Webb.
And they keep being told he’s not going anywhere.
Nightengale further went on to report on the Giants’ plans at the deadline and who they plan to keep and trade:
The Giants plan to keep outfielder Jung Hoo Lee and trade Heliot Ramos. They also are telling teams they are willing to eat part of starter Robbie Ray’s $25 million contract in a trade.
Ramos is a right-handed left fielder batting .267 with 9 HR and 34 RBI. He has a .306 OBP and .739 OPS. He will be entering his first year of arbitration at age 27.
Ray, a former Cy Young winner in 2021, is now 34. He is a free agent at the end of the season. He is 10-6 this season with a 3.08 ERA and 1.29 WHIP. He has 107 K in 122.2 IP. He also leads the NL with 57 walks.
While Webb isn’t currently available, it does lend credence to the Astros looking to make a big move for a pitcher.
