The Houston Astros are racking up pitching injuries, and this Miami Marlins starter could be available at the trade deadline.
The Houston Astros might form a strong rotation with pitchers who are injured or recovering from ailments.
Justin Verlander is preparing for his second rehab start this week. Jose Urquidy is recovering from an elbow injury. Framber Valdez is being checked by Astros doctors for elbow pain. Luis Garcia and Lance McCullers Jr. are recovering from significant injuries and should return this season.
The injuries are piling up and that may force Houston’s hand if they want to remain contenders in the American League. Perhaps not now, but closer to the trade deadline.
Currently, one team is preparing to sell.
According to Jim Bowden of The Athletic, the Miami Marlins’ poor start implies it is only a “matter of time” before the franchise starts moving away its veteran players.
The Marlins are dealing with their own pitching woes. Sandy Alcantara and Eury Pérez, their top two starters, required Tommy John surgery and are out for the season. Two other starters are on the disabled list due to shoulder pain.
It’s possible that by June or July, Miami are entering full tear-down mode. A contender could benefit from that, as there is one clear prize for any team interested in Marlins’ talent — left-handed pitcher Jesús Luzardo.
Bowden believes that the Astros will be among a group of teams in pursuit of Luzardo this summer. While he has a losing record for his career, the left-hander is coming off a 10-10 season in 2023 with a 3.58 ERA.
There are short-term and long-term benefits of this potential move.
Luzardo will only earn $5.5 million this year. He has two arbitration seasons remaining and will not be eligible for free agency until after the 2026 season. A player with this talent and so many controllable years is difficult to come by.
With his youth, arm skill, and manageable years, he’s a contender’s dream.
The question is, how much will it cost to land him?
Bowden writes that Luzardo is the only player on Miami’s roster that can bring in four quality prospects in return so the Marlins can start their rebuild.
Do the Astros have those four prospects, or perhaps a combination of prospects and young Major League talent?
Houston’s circumstances later this season may force them to answer that question.
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