Astros reportedly calling Giants about trade for $90M ace with a 3.93 ERA

The Houston Astros are sitting at 55-55 on the regular season, and just 1.0 game back in the AL Wild Card. While some teams around baseball are rumored to be interested in the Astros' players at the deadline, Houston appears likely to buy.

In their effort to improve the team, the Astros are seeking out help in the starting rotation, the bullpen, and in the outfield with a left-handed hitter. But, regarding their rotation need, they've been shooting at the top of the market, but not at Tarik SKubal.

According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the Astros, among other teams, have tried calling the San Francisco Giants about trading for 3.93 ERA ace, and $90 million right-hander Logan Webb. But those efforts are likely in vain.

Astros shut down in pursuit of Giants' Logan Webb

"The Houston Astros and other teams keep asking about San Francisco Giants ace Logan Webb," Nightengale reports. "And they keep being told he's not going anywhere."

Webb would be a very fascinating addition for the Astros this season, as he is far more than a simple rental starter like Freddy Peralta, Casey Mize, or even Skubal.

The Giants' 29-year-old veteran is signed through the 2028 season on a five-year, $90 million contract. He is under control for the next 2.5 seasons, meaning the Astros are in pursuit of a controllable starting pitcher.

There aren't a ton of those kinds of pitchers available. While Reid Detmers and Jose Soriano would fit that need, they're on the Los Angeles Angels, and the AL West tax might be too much to spend for an already expensive trade target.

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So, it shouldn't be a huge surprise that, if the Astros are seeking out a controllable starting pitcher, they'd call up the Giants for Webb.

San Francisco is expected to sell this summer, and Webb, the $90 million right-hander who has a 3.93 ERA this season and is a three-time All-Star with a Gold Glove award, would make a lot of sense as a trade target.

But, unfortunately for Dana Brown and the Astros, the Giants likely won't be trading Webb this summer, if ever, as he's one of the few players they're expected to keep regardless of their status as contenders.

The Astros are going to have to explore some other options, which, if in pursuit of a controllable starter, could include Seth Lugo, Michael Wacha, or Hunter Greene. Their options are limited and not the best. Webb would be great, but he's not a realistic option.

More MLB news:

• Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani injury update essentially ends Cy Young chances
• Yankees are ‘leading candidate’ to trade for Twins’ Ryan Jeffers
• Padres likely not to trade Mason Miller amid latest update
• Tigers expected to trade Tarik Skubal but still try to contend without him
• Mets ‘desperate’ to trade Luis Robert Jr. after trade failure