The Houston Astros seem likely to lose left-hander Framber Valdez in free agency.
It's not an outcome that puts their pitching rotation in a good spot, though.
"With Valdez presumably gone and Ronel Blanco and Hayden Wesneski injured, Houston could stand to make a rotation upgrade," MLB.com's Jared Greenspan and Theo DeRosa wrote on Thursday.
There are plenty of talented free agent pitchers available aside from Valdez, but that may not be the route the Astros go.
Instead, the MLB.com article suggests a trade could be in the works.
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The Astros have three corner infielders for two spots: Isaac Paredes, Christian Walker and Carlos Correa.
Could one of them be moved?
"The Astros still have plenty of talent all around and should compete for a postseason berth yet again in 2026, but a big move -- especially for a starting pitcher -- could go a long way," Greenspan and DeRosa write. "Perhaps they will deal from their logjam of corner infielders, with Correa, Walker, and Isaac Paredes competing for two starting spots."
Correa just came back to town, and as a fan favorite, probably wouldn't be the first to be moved.
Paredes may have a bit more long-term upside than Walker, but a team also has to give something to get something.
It's at least worth monitoring if the Astros end up finding a deal to be made to improve their chances on the mound.
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