Houston Astros Expected to Add Veteran Pitcher as ‘Stopgap’ in Rotation
Will the Houston Astros bolster their rotation before Opening Day?
As winter comes to an end, the Astros may still be looking to strengthen their pitching staff ahead of the new season.
Following a busy offseason, the Astros are preparing to focus on the upcoming year. Despite losing some key players to free agency or trades, Houston remains a strong contender in the American League, largely due to their solid starting rotation.
Once again, the rotation will be led by left-hander Framber Valdez, who is entering the final year of his contract. Although there have been rumors about a potential trade, the Astros will rely on the veteran to anchor their rotation.
Behind Valdez, rising stars like Hunter Brown and Spencer Arrighetti are beginning to make their mark. Ronel Blanco also had a breakout year in 2024, further strengthening the rotation.
Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report recently discussed the Astros’ potential starting rotation for Opening Day, predicting they may bring in a new addition with free agent Kyle Gibson.
“However, if veteran innings eater Kyle Gibson is available on a reasonable one-year deal, he could serve as a perfect stopgap, helping prevent the younger pitchers from being overextended.”
With injuries to Lance McCullers Jr. and Luis Garcia, it makes sense for Houston to add some extra insurance to their rotation.
In the trade that sent Kyle Tucker to the Chicago Cubs, the Astros received a potential rotation option in Hayden Wesneski. However, as an unproven young right-hander, Houston may prefer a more experienced pitcher if the price is right.
Pursuing someone like Gibson, who may not be a star but is consistently reliable, could be a smart move. Over the past four seasons, the 37-year-old has pitched at least 165 innings each year. In 2024 with the St. Louis Cardinals, he posted an 8-8 record with a 4.24 ERA.
For a fifth starter, those numbers would be perfectly acceptable. Although the Astros have solid depth in their rotation, injuries have been a common issue in recent years, so having extra pitching depth is never a bad idea.
Overall, if Gibson’s price is reasonable, adding him to the rotation would be a sensible move for Houston.
Leave a Reply