Could Astros Still Pull Off Blockbuster Trade For Elite Starting Pitcher This Offseason?

The Houston Astros have not been strangers to making headlines this offseason after they handed out a megadeal to Josh Hader.

Getting one of the best relievers in the game into their bullpen should help with the loss of four pitchers they had in 2023.

General manager Dana Brown has hinted that they might not be done adding some more arms either.

If they are looking, they might be interested in pulling off a blockbuster trade for Chicago White Sox ace Dylan Cease after their general manager Chris Getz said teams are inquiring about his availability.

"... Teams are still calling. They are still trying to work on a deal that works for both sides. If there's a match somewhere, we'll do it," he mentioned on SiriusXM's MLB Network Radio.

Cease has long been on the trade block this winter as the White Sox are seemingly ready to enter a rebuilding phase.

Their asking price is seen by many around the league as too high, causing clubs to walk away from negotiations who aren't willing to meet the trade package demands.

For Houston to pull something off, they'll have to depart with multiple of their best prospects.

It wouldn't be surprising if Chicago asks for three or more of the Astros' top-five prospects to send the 2022 AL Cy Young runner-up to them.

Cease would certainly give Houston one of the best rotations in the league, putting him alongside Justin Verlander and Framber Valdez. They're also expected to get back Lance McCullers Jr. at some point in the summer.

Brown was also brought in help rebuild their pipeline that is now largely considered the worst in Major League Baseball.

Sending out some of their best prospects might not be how he wants to operate during his tenure.

Still, Houston is chasing World Series titles and landing Cease would give them the best opportunity to do so.