DELIVERING THEIR PITCH
As the trade deadline approaches, the focus remains on acquiring arms — if the price isn’t too high
The focus of the Astros’ trade deadline pursuits are no secret. The American League leaders have long been in the market for pitching, both of the starting and relief variety, and an argument can be made for either as being more necessary to fortify their roster for the postseason. • On one hand, the Astros (63-32) could still stand to upgrade the third spot in their rotation behind All-Stars Dallas Keuchel and Lance McCullers Jr. On the other, their bullpen — particularly lefthanded relief — is the area in which they appear more vulnerable.
With a week and a half until the July 31 non-waiver deadline, the Astros’ strategy could still manifest itself in several different ways. Two years after striking early and one year after not striking at all, general manager Jeff Luhnow seems intent on continuing to let the market develop this trade season.
But if there’s a pitcher who might be available, the Astros have at least discussed him. That list naturally includes Oakland Athletics righthander Sonny Gray, the best available starter.
The 27-year-old Gray, who has a 1.62 ERA in his last four starts and a 3.66 ERA on the season, will command a hefty return in prospect capital. His years of remaining team control — he can’t be a free agent until after the 2019 season — increases the likely number of teams involved in the bidding. Because demand exceeds supply, the Astros might ultimately find the acquisition cost prohibitive, especially considering Gray has battled injuries each of the last two seasons.
Despite a report Thursday from an MLB Network reporter that discussions between the Astros and A’s were “heating up,” industry sources indicated to the Chronicle no deal was close.
It makes sense for the Astros to acquire a starter only if they deem him a definitive upgrade over their middle-to-back end of the rotation arms: Charlie Morton, Brad Peacock, Mike Fiers and Collin McHugh. With Morton and McHugh back in the fold, depth is no longer an issue. For a team with a 15½-game division lead, it’s simply a matter of building the best four-man rotation for the postseason.
Few viable alternatives
Outside of Gray, the viable alternatives appear to be few if any. The likes of Jacob deGrom of the New York Mets and Gerritt Cole of the Pittsburgh Pirates are pipe dreams.
Despite speculation about Detroit Tigers ace Justin Verlander, the salary remaining on Verlander’s contract ($56 million over the next two seasons plus a $22-million vesting option for 2020) would be a significant obstacle to any deal with the Astros, who operate on a mid-market budget.
The Tigers also, however, have one of the most popular names on the relief market: lefthander Justin Wilson. The Astros, who lack a reliable lefty in their ‘pen, have discussed Wilson with the Tigers dating to at least the winter meetings.
Wilson, who has a 2.75 ERA and 50 strikeouts in 36 innings this season, is under team control through next season, increasing his price tag over that of a rental. According to industry sources, the Tigers in discussions have asked the Astros for outfield prospect Derek Fisher.
The Astros, though, view the left-handed hitting Fisher, who continues to produce in Class AAA, as a potential contributor to their team down the stretch this season and possibly as their everyday left fielder at the start of 2018. Fisher could make their playoff roster this year.
Baltimore Orioles lefthander Zach Britton is perhaps the prize of the relief market. Britton, who the Astros could face this weekend, was arguably the best reliever in baseball last year but only recently returned from the disabled list after missing two months because of a forearm strain. He has a 3.37 ERA in just 16 innings this season and a 6.43 ERA in seven innings since he came off the DL.
Britton, pitching this season on an $11.4 million salary, will also go through arbitration one more time this winter before he’s eligible to become a free agent after the 2018 season. Unlike with Wilson, who’s making just $2.7 million this season, the salary component creates an additional variable for the Astros to consider in the case of Britton, for whom the O’s should have a bevy of suitors.
Brach could fit
Baltimore righthander Brad Brach could also be
an attractive option for the Astros. Brach has a 2.61 ERA in 411⁄3 innings to go along with 16 saves this season.
He’s making $3.05 million this year and, like Britton, has one more year of arbitration eligibility remaining.
San Diego Padres lefthander Brad Hand remains on the market, though his price tag is said to be very high. Hand, a former waiver claim who has a 2.25 ERA in 48 innings this season, is under team control through the 2019 season.
Luhnow tight-lipped
Per usual, Luhnow has been tight-lipped regarding any and all trade activity.
“I think it’s in our best interest to keep it close to the vest and that’s what I’m going to do for the next couple weeks,” he said in an interview with the Chronicle earlier this week. “… it’s just too distracting when you see rumors everywhere and reports that we’re interested in this player or that player or something might be close or not, and I’d just rather not have that distraction right now.”
The spotlight on Luhnow will only intensify in the coming 10 days. Outside of sustaining another major injury, nothing about the Astros’ final nine games before the deadline figures to dictate their deadline strategy.
They are attempting to bolster their pitching. With several routes in play, it’s just uncertain which form those upgrades will take.