Astros linked to former NL Cy Young winner at trade deadline

Despite a rocky start to the second half of their season, the Houston Astros still find themselves in the lead of the American League West standings. 

And as the trade deadline looms ever so closer, the Astros have one major need at the deadline, because we all know they're going to be buyers at this point in time, and that need is starting pitchers. 

Hunter Brown and Framber Valdez have been nothing short of phenomenal for the team in 2025, but the team is in desperate need of a number three pitcher behind the two as they look to avenge their early exit from the playoffs last year and bring home a third World Series title.

And ESPN's Jeff Passan and Kiley McDaniel believe that the pitcher that would best benefit the 'Stros would be Marlins pitcher and 2022 NL Cy Young Award winner Sandy Alcantara. 

With the Marlins struggling heavily in the National League East, the team are surefire sellers on July 31, and the flamethrowing righty heading to H-Town isn't completely out of the realm of possibilities. 

In his Cy Young Award season, Alcantara went 14-9 record with a 2.28 ERA and 207 strikeouts in 228.2 innings, unanimously winning the award over Max Fried. 

However, 2023 saw a regression from the Miami arm, and Tommy John surgery kept him off the diamond for the 2024 season. 

His return to the mound in 2025 hasn't exactly been one to write home about either, with a 4-9 record, 73 strikeouts, and an alarming 7.14 ERA through 19 games started so far. 

Perhaps a higher-powered offense and a change of scenery might be what the two-time All-Star needs to return to his award-winning form.