Astros linked to trade for Marlins' 3.63 ERA righty amid rotation worries

For the last year or two, the Houston Astros starting rotation has been a big question mark. Whether it's injuries or pitchers struggling, the Astros haven't been able to rest easy with their rotation.

Hunter Browns and Framber Valdez were great, and they've had other good starters. But, as a whole, the rotation has some worries. This year is no different, even with the additions of Tatsuya Imai and Mike Burrows.

With some lingering worries, the Astros were linked to a trade candidate from the Miami Marlins in Cy Young righty, and 3.63 ERA starter Sandy Alcantara, by Zachary D. Rymer of Bleacher Report.

Astros linked to Sandy Alcantara trade

Rymer named three possible landing spots for Alcantara in a trade this season, with the "Houston Astros, San Diego Padres, New York Yankees," making up the three teams linked to the Marlins righty.

Alcantara won the 2022 Cy Young award with a ridiculously impressive 2.28 ERA season across 32 starts. But, after a 4.14 ERA in 2023 that ended with an injury that kept him out for all of 2024, there were some worries about his future.

He popped up in trade rumors and talks last year, with the Astros likely having some interest amid their rotation need. But now, they could use the Marlins righty with some worries about their own rotation.

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Imai allowed four runs in 2.2 innings in his debut, while Javier allowed six in 4.2 innings of work in his first start of the season. Burrows allowed five runs in 5.2 innings of work, leaving the Astros rotation wondering if they can actually be trusted.

Ironically, Lance McCullers Jr. was the best non-Hunter-Brown starter, as he shut down the Boston Red Sox with a seven-inning, one-run outing.

Houston could use another starter, as the rest of the rotation outside of Brown is very much up in the air with how good they can be.

Alcantara would be a great option, as he's under control for the next two years on a reasonable deal, and might be returning to Cy Young form this season. It won't be cheap, but it would be worth it for the Astros to contend once more.

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