Houston Astros: Three potential trade targets for the rotation
By David Hill
The Houston Astros starting rotation is a mess. Let’s take a look at some potential trade options as they look to salvage the season.
The Houston Astros pitching staff is essentially a question of who will be the last man standing. The bullpen is stocked with rookies, and the starting rotation is essentially Zack Greinke and a host of question marks. For a team that still has its sights set on reaching the postseason and contending for a World Series, the rotation is certainly in need of an upgrade.
Fortunately, there should be plenty of options available at the trade deadline. Let’s look at three possible options.
Danny Duffy
Danny Duffy may not have developed into the top of the rotation starter that the Royals were hoping for, but he could be a respectable piece for the Astros.
There was a time when Duffy was expected to be an ace in Kansas City, pairing with the late Yordano Ventura to give the Royals a formidable top of the rotation. However, after Ventura tragically passed away in a car accident, Duffy was never the same pitcher.
He has settled in as a solid middle of the rotation arm who still shows flashes of that potential. In fact, Duffy is the type of pitcher that the Astros have had success with – a pitcher who has never quite panned out as expected, but just needs to make an adjustment or two.
Duffy would not just be a one year rental. He is signed through next season, although his $15.5 million salary is likely beyond what the Astros would be wanting to pay for a lottery ticket. It is possible that the Royals would pay a portion of that salary, especially as they are rebuilding, but that would depend on the prospects given up.
Danny Duffy could be an upgrade in the Houston Astros rotation. He has the potential to be just the type of player that the Astros can find success with.