As we are about to enter the 2024 season in MLB, many analysts have identified the Houston Astros’ weakness: their starting rotation.
Between injuries and unexpected pitchers taking a step back in 2023, the Astros are projected to enter the year with Framber Valdez, Cristian Javier, Jose Urquidy, Hunter Brown, and J.P. France.
They have Justin Verlander, Lance McCullers Jr., and Luis Garcia on the shelf, and not all of them are expected back soon.
As a result, the team continues to scan the pitching market, and the possibility to bring in someone for their rotation is latent.
In fact, Astros insider Chandler Rome and MLB reporter/analyst Ken Rosenthal recently mentioned Blake Snell to the Astros as being a possibility.
“The Astros remain engaged in the free-agent starting pitching market, multiple sources tell @TheAthletic. Owner Jim Crane coveted Blake Snell at last August’s trade deadline. It’s worth wondering if they may circle back,” Rome tweeted.
Rosenthal quoted that tweet and added: “Chandler poses the question: Might the Astros be the team for Blake Snell?”
Chandler poses the question: Might the Astros be the team for Blake Snell? https://t.co/41P6RLBCqN
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) March 15, 2024
The pitching-needy teams have been slowly moving on and have signed other pitchers instead of Snell.
It is believed that if his demands get lower (and they will need to, if he wants to sign with an MLB squad), teams that had dismissed the idea of getting him might get back in contention.
The Astros have wanted to bring him over for quite some time, and they might have their chance soon.
They might have to compete with multiple teams, though.
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