The Houston Astros are heating up at just the right time. After a dominant sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks, they now sit tied with the Toronto Blue Jays for the best record in the American League. They also hold a comfortable six-game lead over the Seattle Mariners in the AL West.
But even with all this momentum, the Astros still have one major issue to address as the MLB trade deadline approaches in a week: their starting rotation.
Injuries have taken a serious toll on Houston’s pitching staff this season. With multiple starters missing time, the Astros are in the market for rotation help, and one name being linked to them is Sandy Alcantara of the Miami Marlins.
According to a recent report in The Athletic, Patrick Mooney and Will Sammon named the Astros as one of several teams that could explore a deal for Alcantara. Other teams in the mix include the Padres, Cubs, Red Sox, Tigers, and Blue Jays.
Alcantara hasn’t been himself this year. He’s 5-9 with a 6.66 ERA in 20 starts since returning from Tommy John surgery. His strikeout rate is down to 6.7 per nine innings, and he’s struggled with command and consistency. Still, teams know what he’s capable of when fully healthy.
Just two seasons ago, Alcantara won the 2022 NL Cy Young Award, posting a 2.28 ERA and dominating hitters across the league. That version of him made him one of the most valuable pitchers in baseball. Now, teams have to decide whether they’re trading for who he is today or who he might become again in the future.
For Houston, the upside might be worth the gamble. Their offence is clicking, and they have a deep, playoff-tested roster. But with limited top-tier prospects to offer in a deal, they’ll need to be strategic if they want to land a pitcher with Alcantara’s ceiling.
If the Astros do pull the trigger, Alcantara would add a potentially dangerous weapon to their rotation heading into the postseason. Even in a down year, his experience and talent could pay off big under the pressure of October.
Whether or not the Astros make a move, it’s clear they’re serious about competing for another title this season. And if Alcantara returns to form, he could be the missing piece that helps push them over the top.