Astros GM: 'We're not going to overpay' for starting pitching
If Houston Astros fans are expecting a big bang from their favorite club at Monday's trade deadline, they may be disappointed.
The trade rumors surrounding the Houston Astros and their reported interest in starters Yu Darvish and Sonny Gray may be prevalent, but general manager Jeff Luhnow wants to make one thing very clear: he's not willing to pay a high price in a trade just to make a splash.
"We're not going to overpay dramatically, because we're not in a situation where we have to,'' Luhnow told ESPN's Jerry Crasnick on Wednesday. "We have a pretty good team, and if we can improve it without giving up too much of our future, we will.''
Houston has been linked to both Darvish and Gray for weeks as they seek a division title and a return to the postseason, but their current squad is responsible for American League's best record and the return of 2015 Cy Young winner Dallas Keuchel on Friday is only going to make them better - Keuchel was a perfect 9-0 with a 1.67 ERA before hitting the disabled list.
Astros rotation
| PITCHER | GS | IP | W-L | ERA | WHIP | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas Keuchel | 11 | 75.2 | 9-0 | 1.67 | 0.87 | 69 |
| Collin McHugh | 1 | 4.2 | 0-0 | 7.71 | 1.29 | 4 |
| Lance McCullers | 18 | 100.2 | 7-2 | 3.67 | 1.23 | 114 |
| Charlie Morton | 14 | 82.1 | 8-4 | 3.83 | 1.25 | 92 |
| Mike Fiers | 20 | 111.2 | 7-5 | 3.71 | 1.28 | 114 |
That doesn't necessarily mean Luhnow will stand pat prior to the deadline, as the Astros have also shown interest in improving their bullpen, with Brad Hand of the San Diego Padres and Justin Wilson of the Detroit Tigers reportedly being targeted. But, it appears a top-of-the-rotation starter may be out of the question.
"I think if we are going to acquire a starting pitcher, that person is going to have to be a clear upgrade to the group (we have), and that's a very small list of pitchers,'' Luhnow said. "To a certain extent, that makes things a little bit easier.
"Right now, the rotation is healthy. Whoever we get, we're not acquiring them to help us win the division. We're acquiring them to help us in the postseason. It's a very advantageous position to be able to focus on that exclusively. That's what we're doing.''