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The Houston Astros are looking to make some noise in the AL once again after a somewhat down year last season. The biggest focus for them this season will be their starting rotation, and losing Framber Valdez has raised even more questions on that front.
“Whether Astros fans loved Valdez or were fine letting him walk, there is no doubt that he made the overall look and feel of the rotation stronger. With him now removed from the folds, Houston's starting pitching depth takes a massive step back in the MLB and the American League,” Sports Illustrated’s Dominic Minchella wrote.
The Astros could add another arm this offseason or during the season depending on their needs. If they do, Just Baseball’s Ryan Finkelstein believes they should bring back Justin Verlander.
“Everyone loves a good reunion. Carlos Correa is already back in town. Why not bring back the old horse for another shot at the rodeo? Justin Verlander managed to make 29 starts and pitch 152 innings at 42 years old last year. He has long said he wants to pitch until he is 45, and there are some big milestones he wants to chase along the way. With all due respect to the 2025 San Francisco Giants, it is a shame that Verlander pitched to a 3.85 ERA over 150+ innings and managed just four wins. Verlander may be the last pitcher who ever has a shot at getting to 300 wins, needing 34 more to join that elusive club,” Finkelstein wrote.
Losing the biggest name in the rotation is never easy, but temporarily replacing him with a guy like Verlander wouldn’t be a bad idea. Verlander has had tremendous success, and while he may be nearing the end of his career, he remains a reliable option.
The Astros will need to make a move at some point—there’s no doubt about that. When it comes to Verlander, it’s just a matter of when they decide to bring him back in an Astros uniform.
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