Houston Astros
Seemingly the last thing the defending World Series champions would need would be another starting pitcher. Yet, Jake Arrieta could be a great fit nonetheless.
The Houston Astros run to the postseason was not the cakewalk it would have seemed. Although they ran away with the American League West, winning the division by 21 games, the starting rotation had a myriad of injuries. Eleven different pitchers made a start for Houston, with seven of those pitchers making more than ten starts.
Yet, with all of those arms, none of the Astros starters had more than 28 starts, which came courtesy of the now departed Mike Fiers. Justin Verlander should be a workhorse for the Astros going forward, but is going to be 35 years old. Since winning the Cy Young award in 2015, Dallas Keuchel has yet to make 30 starts in a season. Lance McCullers took a major step back last season. The Astros are talented, but still filled with question marks in the rotation.
Arrieta could help assuage some of those concerns. In a perfect world for Houston, Arrieta would be able to slot between Keuchel and Verlander, giving them an excellent second starter. With this one move, the Astros rotation may well be the best in the game, giving them an inside track on another World Series berth.
The Houston Astros do not need Jake Arrieta. However, the former Chicago Cubs starter could be the piece to put them over the top in 2018.