The Houston Astros are set to be buyers at this year's MLB trade deadline. With the team already looking for a left fielder and a lefty hitter, there's another position that could use more help. That is in the starting rotation.
To fix their injured and uncertain rotation, Jordan Campbell of Climbing the Tals Hill predicts that the team could look to "buy low" on Arizona Diamondbacks starter Zac Gallen.
"Diamondbacks starting pitcher Zac Gallen, like so many of the other pitchers on the trade market, has struggled this season." Campbell wrote. "A former Cy Young candidate in the National League, Gallen has looked awful in 2025."
While it may seem overzealous to call what Gallen has done this year "awful," his numbers don't exactly help his case. He has a 5.45 ERA through 18 starts and has a 6-9 record on the year.
Through 104 innings pitched, Gallen has 98 strikeouts, 42 walks allowed, 100 hits allowed, and 20 home runs given up. His 77 ERA+ is the worst of his career by far, and he's giving up more home runs and hits per nine innings than ever before.
MORE: Astros predicted to trade promising outfielder for 3.55 ERA starter
Across his seven-year MLB career, this season has been his worst. With Gallen set to be a free agent, his immense struggles this season, and the Diamondbacks potentially being sellers, there's a real chance the Astros could buy low on Gallen.
Even with teams interested in Gallen due to his previous Cy Young candidate stuff, there will be a lot less motivation to offer a lot to Arizona for him. His struggles are too much to ignore, and the Diamondbacks could decide to ship him off for any return before he leaves in free agency.
Houston has a history of reclamation projects, with Yusei Kikuchi in 2024 going from a 4.75 ERA to a 2.70 ERA after being traded to the Astros. Repeating that success with Gallen seems feasible, especially considering his track record before this season.
While it may be difficult to truly "buy low" on a former Cy Young candidate in Gallen, there might not be a better time to give it a go than now. He's set to hit the open market, is struggling, and Arizona isn't in postseason contention. If Houston were to buy low on any pitcher, Gallen would be the one to target.
MORE MLB NEWS:
- Cardinals urged to find Jordan Walker a change of scenery amid struggles
- Guardians urged to call up top prospects amid brutal losing streak
- Astros trade proposal sends two prospects for 1.46 ERA reliever
- Miles Mikolas makes unfortunate Cardinals history during Cubs outing
- Padres urged to land Cy Young starter at MLB trade deadline
- Gleyber Torres reflects on Tigers' decision amid All-Star season