Astros On ‘Lookout’ for Pitching; Could Mitch Keller Trade Be Answer?
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The Houston Astros will be among the teams pursuing starting pitching at the trade deadline in July.
After losing Ronel Blanco on Wednesday due to elbow surgery, the Astros’ pitching depth is very thin. Entering Sunday, they were 31-27 and just a half-game behind the Seattle Mariners in the American League West.
MLB insider Bob Nightengale reported Sunday the Astros will pursue a starting pitcher at the deadline. He also reported the Pirates are putting everyone on the table to be traded except Oneil Cruz and Paul Skenes.
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“The Houston Astros say they are on the lookout for starting pitching after losing Ronel Blanco,” wrote Nightengale. “He is the third Astros starter to go down in the season’s first two months, joining Hayden Wesneski who underwent Tommy John surgery last week, and Spencer Arrighetti (broken thumb). … The Pittsburgh Pirates are flatly rebuking all interest from teams wanting to engage in trade talks for ace Paul Skenes, but will listen to offers on every other player but him and outfielder Oneil Cruz.”
Keller is in the second year of his $77 million contract, so the Astros would have to pay the remainder of the $15.4 million he is owed this year plus the remaining $55.7 million
The Pirates and Astros have been trade partners in the past for starting pitching as Houston was the landing spot for Gerrit Cole when he left Pittsburgh. If Keller is traded to the Astros, Ben Cherington’s challenge will be to get a better return for Keller than his predecessor did for Cole.
The Astros would have to cough up a considerable package for Keller since he has 3 1/2 years of team control remaining. This may deter them a bit, but it would all come down to a comparison between the cost for Keller and the cost for a rental at the deadline.
Through 12 starts this season, Keller has a 3.73 ERA with 56 strikeouts. His record isn’t pretty, but that’s due to a lack of run support. Pittsburgh has scored a total of six runs in his last five starts, and four of them have ended in losses.
Keller would be a good fit for the Astros, who would provide him with a lot more run support than the Pirates have this year. Houston would certainly get the most out of him as a pitcher as well.
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