Astros owner: 'We're going to take a run' at re-signing Cole

Don't rule out the Houston Astros in the upcoming Gerrit Cole sweepstakes.

Owner Jim Crane said Monday that the Astros want to bring the free-agent ace back, but it should be a challenge.

"We’re going to take a run at it," Crane said, according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. "We don't know if we can get to where they want to get. (Agent Scott) Boras is tough to deal with."

Crane added that the Astros could exceed the luxury tax threshold in 2020.

Houston did offer Cole a $17.8 million qualifying offer on Monday. However, it's a near certainty the AL Cy Young finalist will reject it as he's likely to receive a contract in free agency in excess of $200 million.

"We’ll stick our nose in there and see where we're at and see what we can go with Gerrit," Crane said. "He did a great job and had a great year and pitched well in the playoffs. Either way, I wish him the best of luck. He's been a great asset for the team."

Cole accrued a 2.50 ERA during the regular season while leading the majors with 326 strikeouts. The 29-year-old's 7.4 WAR led all hurlers, and he won 20 games for the first time in his career. The right-hander was even better during the postseason with a 1.72 ERA in 36 2/3 innings during Houston's run to the World Series.

The three-time All-Star was rumored to be eyeing a return to his home state of California as a free agent, but he refuted that speculation last week.

In addition to the Astros, the Los Angeles Dodgers, Los Angeles Angels, San Diego Padres, and New York Yankees are all teams that could make a run at Cole.