Houston Astros have reached an agreement to sign a starter in free agency.

Following a simulation game, the San Francisco Giants and Houston Astros are still linked to a top free agent starter.

The Houston Astros and San Francisco Giants continue to be linked to reigning National League Cy Young champion Blake Snell, who remains unsigned with less than two weeks until Opening Day. Both went to Snell’s simulated game in Seattle on Friday.

The San Francisco Giants and Houston Astros attended free agent Blake Snell’s simulated game in Seattle on Friday as the two teams continue to be linked to him with less than two weeks to go until Opening Day.

Per Mark Feinsand of MLB.com on social media:

Blake Snell threw four simulated innings on Friday in Seattle in front of scouts from teams including the Giants and Astros, per source. Those in attendance were said to be impressed with how ready he looks.

We learned on Friday that the Astros could be interested in Snell, and their urgency may have been heightened by recent injury concerns over Jose Urquidy, who departed his spring training start early due to arm difficulties.

Furthermore, the Astros will be without starting pitcher Luis Garcia for most or all of 2023 due to an injury. They will most likely be without Lance McCullers until July, and Justin Verlander will also be unavailable for Opening Day.

MLB.com

According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com via social media:

Blake Snell pitched four simulated innings in Seattle on Friday in front of scouts from the Giants and Astros, according to a source. Those there were claimed to be impressed by how prepared he appeared.

We heard on Friday that the Astros could be lurking in the background for Snell, and perhaps their urgency has been ramped up by the recent injury worry regarding Jose Urquidy, who left his spring training start early with arm issues.

Furthermore, the ‘Stros are without starting pitcher Luis Garcia for most or all of 2023 because of injury. They are also without Lance McCullers until July in all likelihood and Justin Verlander won’t be ready for Opening Day, either.

The Giants are also dealing with some pitching difficulties, as Tristan Beck is out indefinitely. Furthermore, the Giants have spent money this offseason on Jung-Hoo Lee, Jorge Soler, and Matt Chapman, indicating that they intend to improve on their fourth-place finish in the National League West last season. Snell would help them further their cause.

Snell had a 14-9 record and a 2.25 ERA with the San Diego Padres last season. He won his second Cy Young Award, having previously won the AL Cy Young in 2018 as a member of the Tampa Bay Rays.