Astros Urged to Land World Series Champion After Missing on Blake Snell
The Houston Astros had interest in Blake Snell before the reigning National League Cy Young award winner took his talents to the San Francisco Giants.
After months of speculation, Snell finally lands with a team and will look to prove he deserves the $60-plus million deal he signed.
With Justin Verlander and Jose Urquidy starting the season on the IL, the Astros will likely need to add another arm.
That's without including Luis Garcia and Lance McCullers, who will likely rejoin the team around the All-Star break.
There are internal options, but free agents still on the market can be of better use.
Of the available options, left-handed pitcher Jordan Montgomery is the top remaining on the market.
Erin Walsh of Bleacher Report ranked the top landing spots after Snell's signing, listing Houston as a fit for Montgomery.
Walsh writes that the Astros are looking to reach another World Series, but there's still a need for an upgrade in the rotation slotted behind Verlander and Framber Valdez.
The issue with Montgomery is that he's unlikely to be ready to go at the start of the season. While he could be ramped up shortly after, he'd presumably miss a start or two.
To begin the season, Houston has a brutal schedule. They'll take on the New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, and Texas Rangers in the first three series of the season.
Winning the division won't be any easier with the way the Rangers have played, and having home-field advantage in the playoffs is always a welcomed bonus.
It'll be interesting to see what the front office decides to do as Montgomery can certainly help and give them what they're looking for in the present and future.
