Hot stove season is officially here for the majority of Major League Baseball. The Houston Astros may experience a major shakeup in their roster over the next couple of months. The free agency period is set to open up shortly, and it's already being rumored that Framber Valdez is likely not going to re-sign with the team.
That means Houston can either sign another free agent to help fill that void, or look to the trade market to try and add a reputable starting pitcher that way.
Astros linked to Pirates' starter Mitch Keller
At the end of the 2025 trade deadline, Pittsburgh Pirates' starter Mitch Keller did not ultimately end up getting moved, although many people who cover baseball believed he would.
In a recent trade predictions piece by Bleacher Reports' Kerry Miller, Mitch Keller is already the subject of trade rumors once again:
"Houston Astros: A Trade for a Starting Pitcher
Prime Target: Pittsburgh's Mitch Keller ($16.9M in 2026, $18.4M in 2027, $20.4M in 2028)"
Aside from Hunter Brown, if Valdez does leave via free agency, the Astros' rotation is looking like a mess. They are dealing with tons of injuries, and lack depth. That lack of depth may have been the reason the Astros missed the MLB playoffs altogether this season.
Mitch Keller would be a perfect option to slot in as either the number two or three option in the Astros staff. Over 176.1 innings pitched this season, Keller posted a 4.19 ERA and 150 strikeout s.
He's also under contract until the end of the 2028 season on a fairly team-friendly five-year, $77 million deal.
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