Could Astros Make Blockbuster Trade For Superstar Pitcher This Offseason?

It feels strange to say that one of the weakest parts of the Houston Astros this past season was their pitching staff.

Since they've entered their run of World Series contention for the past seven years, the Astros have always had elite levels of pitching in their starting rotation, bullpen, or both.

That was not the case during the second half of 2023.

Injuries thinned out their starting rotation and forced Houston into trading for Justin Verlander. The bullpen wasn't as sharp as in years past, something that this team couldn't overcome.

So, how do they remedy that?

The Astros could wait for Lance McCullers Jr. and Luis Garcia to get healthy, or they could be aggressive this offseason and go get a star player.

Some people around the MLB think that the Chicago White Sox are going to start selling off some of their assets and begin rebuilding.

That would put their ace Dylan Cease on the market as their best trade chip.

Houston has been connected with the right-hander in the past. If he does become available, he would be an incredible addition for the Astros as they attempt to get back to the World Series.

Alec Brown of FanSided speculates what it would take for Houston to acquire the star.

"Cease would be costly. He'd cost both [Jose] Urquidy and [J.P.] France, as well as Jake Meyers and multiple prospects," he writes.

That would be a lot to give up if that was the case.

General manger Dana Brown might not be interested in giving up that much in a package after stating he wants there to be some sort of youth movement within the Astros.

But, after flaming out in the postseason in Brown's first year on the job, he might feel like making a major splash.

Getting Cease would provide that and then some, as he would have a one-two punch at the top of his rotation for years to come.