Houston Astros eye intriguing rental option for Blue Jays All-Star

The Houston Astros can approach this trade deadline in a number of ways.

Because they already have a lot of star players on their roster and will be getting several back from injured reserve at some point, they could be conservative and just add a solid piece that fills an obvious need in their starting rotation.

First base would probably still be an issue if they decided to do this, but they would have more than enough firepower to compensate for a below-average spot in their lineup.

The Astros could also go ultra-aggressive, bringing in a star first baseman and rotation piece that would erase as many concerns as possible for them heading into the playoffs.

Whatever their decision will ultimately be known in a few days, but one thing everyone knows is that Dana Brown and his management are definitely looking for starting pitchers.

There have been a number of names that have been mentioned regarding players that they have their eyes on. Erick Fedde and Jack Flaherty would be some of the bigger names that they could bring in that would give this rotation a boost.

Jon Heyman from The New York Post said they are considering another option in Yusei Kikuchi of the Toronto Blue Jays, who is now considered one of the best rental pitchers on the market despite his difficult season.

If Houston isn’t comfortable giving up the assets it would likely take to get Fedde or Flaherty, then Kikuchi would certainly be an innings-eating addition for them in the back of their rotation.

With Justin Verlander, Lance McCullers Jr. and Luis Garcia expected to return at some point, bringing in the former All-Star would give them plenty of options to turn to.