Houston Astros receiving interest in Jarred Cosart

Reports yesterday suggested that the Houston Astros were willing to listen to offers on three of their young starting pitchers, but it seems as though Jarred Cosart is the one drawing the most interest. Dallas Keuchel has apparently been taken off the market, according to FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal.

Cosart, 24, has been having a relatively respectable season with the Astros – his first full season in the major leagues. He’s made 20 starts, totaling 116.1 IP, in which he’s posted a 4.41 ERA and 1.461 WHIP. While the numbers aren’t overwhelming, they do show promise given his age and inexperience. That potential, coupled with the fact that he won’t be arbitration eligible until 2017, suggests that there is some value in moving him.

That same value, of course, would also be a justifiable reason for the Astros to hold onto him but the team has appeared more willing to move Cosart than their other starting options. Keuchel and Collin McHugh have both pitched above expectations this season, while Scott Feldman carries too much on his contract for a deal to seem likely.

Cosart was one of the pieces that the Astros acquired from the Philadelphia Phillies in the 2011 deal that shipped Hunter Pence out of Houston. That deal has looked like a steal for the Astros as Cosart, Jon Singleton, Josh Zeid, and Domingo Santana have all made an impact on the team in Houston this season.