Mandatory Photo Credit: © Andrew Dieb-USA TODAY Sports / © Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
HOUSTON — The rich get richer. Or at least, so it would appear.
After already adding Josh Hader this offseason, the Astros are now expressing interest in a premier starting pitcher.
The Athletic’s Chandler Rome reports Houston is interested in free agent left-hander Blake Snell.
“Facing mounting questions about their depth, the Astros have remained engaged in the starting pitching market, ” Rome writes. “Given (Astros’ owner) Jim Crane’s already stated affinity for Snell, it stands to reason he may emerge as the club’s top target.”
Rome explains that Crane coveted Snell at last year’s trade deadline, and the two parties might make a fit, especially on a short-term deal.
“As I’ve said multiple times, we always have our foot on the gas when it comes to winning and acquiring pitching,” general manager Dana Brown said Thursday night. “As long as Snell is on the market, we check in to ask what is the latest. Nothing new as of now.”
Signing Snell or any other available starting pitcher would solve at least some of the concerns about Houston’s rotation.
Most notably, it gives Justin Verlander more time to recover from the shoulder injury that will sideline him at the beginning of the season. Both Luis Garcia and Lance McCullers Jr. also are not expected to return until after the All-Star break.
Snell made 32 starts last season and sported a major-league-low 2.25 ERA en route to his second Cy Young Award. But it’s not all roses and chocolates. The southpaw issued a league-high 99 walks and threw more than six innings just three times.
The 31-year-old reigning NL Cy Young Award winner remains unsigned with Opening Day less than two weeks away.
