Houston Astros set to poach ace from division rival

With all the injuries that have plagued their rotation this year, it’s no secret that the Houston Astros are in need of starting pitchers. While they’ve been playing great baseball lately and are back in contention, they could still use an extra arm or two down the stretch.

One trade target the Astros are expected to target before the July 30 trade deadline is Tyler Anderson. The veteran left-hander has been outstanding for the Los Angeles Angels this year, going 8-8 with a 2.81 ERA and 1.18 WHIP in 112 innings.

Anderson was brilliant again Saturday, increasing his trade value with eight shutout innings and a career-high 10 strikeouts in a 7-0 victory over the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. He has been one of baseball’s best starting pitchers in recent years, going 29-19 with a 3.57 ERA since the start of 2022.

While teams are often reluctant to make trades within their own division, Anderson would be a great fit for Houston. Not only does the 34-year-old lefty have durability (over 100 starts and nearly 600 innings since the start of 2021), he also throws some of the best ball of his career.

Additionally, Anderson wouldn’t just be a rental player. He’s also under contract through 2025 at a reasonable $13 million.

With the Angels 14 games below .500 and headed for another losing season, they’ll likely look to maximize Anderson’s trade value at the trade deadline. If Los Angeles dangles him in trade talks, the Astros should absolutely make a move for him. Not only would they address one of their biggest needs, but they’d also steal a division rival in the process.

The market for Anderson will be competitive with so many teams still in the playoff race, and Houston will likely have to go to great lengths to acquire him. However, given his recent track record and potential impact, he could well be worth it.