The Houston Astros' need for starting pitching is the only thing keeping fans from enjoying another cakewalk to an American League West title.
Entering play on Wednesday, the Astros had the second-largest lead of any division front-runner at 6 1/2 games. But their rotation currently ranks 11th in ERA at 3.75, which is heavily buoyed by twin aces Hunter Brown and Framber Valdez.
Who would start Game 3 of a potential playoff series for Houston? That player might not currently be in the organization.
On Tuesday, MLB Network analyst Greg Amsinger had a surprising prediction for which starting pitcher the Astros would target.
In a clip posted to the network's X (formerly Twitter) account, Amsinger projected Pittsburgh Pirates starter Andrew Heaney to be traded to Houston ahead of the Jul. 31 deadline.
"Andrew Heaney will get traded to the Houston Astros," Amsinger declared. "He's going to be their 2025 version of Yusei Kikuchi. Remember, when Kikuchi went over there from Toronto, they made him throw slider, slider, slider, slider, and he became the best version of himself.
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"Andrew Heaney has more velo than Kikuchi. He does. And I think he's going to be slider, slider, slider, and he'll be the modern version of Kikuchi for the Houston Astros."
Heaney's year got off to a strong start, but the numbers overall aren't awe-inspiring. He owns a 4.41 ERA, 4.72 FIP, and 73 strikeouts so far in 96 innings pitched.
However, Heaney does have a recent World Series under his belt with the 2023 Texas Rangers. He's extremely cheap as well, with a $5.25 million contract and impending free agency.
Could the Astros turn Heaney into a serviceable number-three starter? We might get the chance to find out depending on the outcomes of the deadline.
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