Houston Astros Predicted to Trade for Elite Cy Young Winner
The Houston Astros pitching staff has held their own to start the season, despite the 2-5 start. Bullpen issues have been a problem, but the starters have done a great job in the early stage of the year.
However, with Justin Verlander on the IL, Houston could use another arm or two. Most contending teams are built on their pitching staff and the same can be said for the dynasty this team has built over most of the past decade.
While the offense has always been a strong point of the organization during this run, the pitching staff has been just as good, if not better, in most seasons.
To make it even better, and put less stress on Justin Verlander, Zachary D. Rymer of Bleacher Report flirts with the idea of the Astros trading for right-hander Shane Bieber.
Houston's front office made it known during the offseason that they were willing to add another arm, being one of the finalists for left-hander Blake Snell. While Bieber isn't fully on the market and the Cleveland Guardians will likely have to be out of the mix, it'd make sense if the Astros looked for pitching again at the deadline.
There won't be many better options than Bieber on the market, especially if he continues to throw the way he has. The right-hander has found his velocity again and his 0.00 ERA in 12 innings pitched is as good of a start as anyone could've imagined.
Bieber has an impressive 20 strikeouts during his two starts, showing again that he's a strikeout pitcher which he was when he was regarded as one of the best arms in baseball from 2019 to 2021.
Houston would be a great fit for the 28-year-old, adding to a rotation that has the chance to be one of the best in baseball when healthy.
JON CONAHAN